Come Together

I don't why this hasn't been noticed more. This is a classic shot that speaks volumes.

This is a superb shot. I say this because firstly I love dolphins, porpoises and whales, but secondly it speaks to me about the wonderful relationship man has with these creatures. Well Done. BTW is there anyway I could buy a print of this off you.

 

Michael Brown

I'm not very good with words.....this is too good to describe. :~)

You are brilliant! Laughed for minutes unable to stop about your comment. As for the pic itself: nice, but POW? I mean, just a little retouche would have made this at least a technically correct pic, like reducing the glancing upper left area behind the beluga´s fin. In all other terms, such as aesthetics and originality: average zoo pic... but that´s a subjective view, Grees,

Very nice image. The shape of the window draws your eyes across to the silhouette. I could do without the dropshadow and digital frame. They account for more than 20% of the image. To see the image itself 20% larger would be better.

It's a shame the image is mostly border and drop shadow. A larger version would be nice to fully enjoy this shot.

Great shot, and congratulations on POW. The connection between man and dolphin makes the shot, beyond a doubt. The cool blue tones and the framing effect certainly help, but without that sense of contact, it wouldn't be half as magnificent.

 

Just wish it was bigger! Please come back and post a larger, less compressed shot.

Variations of this shot, taken by other photographers have been seen around Vancouver for several years now. The first version that I noticed was cropped slightly differently and may have had more detail in the viewer, in that photos case a young boy standing off on the right hand side. I believe that that shot won a prize in quite a popular photo contest. I also believe it ran as advertising on some of Vancouvers local busses. All that considered this is still a nice shot that communicates the beauty and serenity that surrounds you in Vancouver.

Well, I'm from Vancouver, and have a family pass to the Vancouver Aquarium (my boys and I are regular visitors). A few observations:

 

First, the mammal in question is a Beluga Whale, not a dolphin.

 

Second, as the poster above noted, this photo is highly derivative of a very large (maybe 5' by 7') promotional photograph that greets visitors as they *enter* the Vancouver Aquarium. This promotional photograph *cannot* be missed. Now, I don't blame the elves for not knowing of this "coincidence", nor do I necessarily blame Volker for emulating that particular photograph... I, myself, have emulated many a photograph (as Im sure most, if not all, photographers have done at one time or another) and find it to be an effective method of learning, but POW selections should certainly be held to a higher standard. While aesthetically pleasing (upon initial glance), originality must be given very low marks.

 

Third, regarding aesthetics, yes, the photograph is pleasing upon initial glance. However, as presented (i.e. small), it is difficult to judge the technical proficiency. To my eye, the focus looks soft. Additionally, the whale is so far away from the viewing window that one is unable to appreciably gauge its size. These are large animals some 20 feet long (rough guess) and weigh several tonnes, but as presented, it may as well be a salmon that the man is looking at or, as others have mistakenly thought, a much smaller dolphin. In addition to the difference in their environment (i.e. aquatic vs. teresstrial), a more powerful photo conveying the reciprocal interest these intelligences are showing in each other would also have emphasized their differences in size.

 

And fourth, on the plus side, the framing provided by the walls, ceiling, and floor around the viewing window is a nice touch. The curve of the window accentuates this framing nicely.

 

I will now visit Volker's portfolio, as I am sure he is a fine photographer capable of more original work. It's not his fault the elves selected this particular photo as POW, but is undeserving in my opinion.

 

Nick's comments are interesting.

 

I'm underwhelmed by this selection, especially in light of some of the other stuff in the photographer's portfolio. First, someone please get this man back to his computer so he can make a bigger scan! (Strangely, all of Volker's shots include the same apology.) This is the kind of shot that might be a lot more impressive if larger and crisper.

 

On its merits, I guess I'm just not sure what makes the shot so special. The whale is pointing in the general direction of the man, and I guess that suggests some kind of communication or bond between the two. But that message isn't very strongly conveyed, considering how far the whale is from the glass and the general lack of information as to the direction of the figure's gaze or his expression. Plus, I'm not sure that it's all that interesting of a message. (I sort of wonder if the theme of this photo is the direct opposite -- is it about the wall between the man and the whale?)

 

Also, I'm not a big fan of the framing. I wish either: (1) all four window edges had been included; (2) none of the window edges had been included; or (3) only the top and bottom edges had been included, cropping the right edge. This framing feels awkward to me.

I think the choice of calling this "Come Together" is somewhat strained when one considers that the mammal is in captivity. Nature photographers generally strive to respect nature and keep the environment intact. This image represents the antithesis of nature photography, and therefore quite interesting in its double entendre.

Maybe I'm just not sophisticated enough to pick up on the subtle charms of this. It's balanced, it's competently framed, it's properly exposed.. and it's a pretty tall guy standing in front of an aquarium tank holding a whale that doesn't seem to be looking at him.

 

The JPEG here is too small and too lossy (note the halo artifacts) to get any sense for how sharp the picture really is. There aren't any strong visual cues to show that the man or the whale are moire than dimly aware of each other, at least to me. And the reflections in the glass of overhead fluorescent lighting and of more lights or perhaps another tank from across the room aren't sepcially bad, but could a polarizer have lessned this?

 

I prefer "Sea Gulls" in this same folder. The image seems more striking and the attempted statement of human-animal connection more successful and enjoyable. This one is just a (pretty tame) geometric composition, when you come down to it, at least toi my eye.

Nice photo but just not quite up to the POW standards I have

been accustomed to.

 

I , too am bothered by the small whale and the inconsisntent

window frames. I usually balk at such a symetrical compliant but

in this case, it just does not help the image read well. I would

have cropped the right frame out.

 

As far as Oliver's comment on "Retouche", I commend the

photographer on not resorting to that, if ya got it, ya got it. If you

didn't then don't urge him to cheat, eh?

 

Please give us a bit better scan as far as size and

compression...and ditch the border...that stuff is SO hokey

looking.

 

Congrats on POW .

This photo is awesome! I love the concept, the curved window, the beluga whale slowly approaching the silhouette...but PLEASE get rid of that border! A black border would be positively awesome, or no border at all, but that white border does this picture absolutely no justice whatsoever.

 

7/7

I would personally be very interested, in this case, to hear whether Volker himself would have selected this as his POW.

I agree mostly with Nick Scholte's comment, and I would say that this is surely a nice picture, but POW...? Mmm... I don't think so. And I'm quite convinced that Volker himself agrees...:-)

Here is another picture by Volker, in the same folder. Not much more original than this POW picture, but imo, MUCH more deserving of the title...

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=532964

We all have shot aquariums and birds, and we might have come close to the quality of this POW, but have we ever come close to something like this man and bird shot ? Well, not me.

I've seen Volker's work ages ago, and overall, I would say that his work is really all about great colors and generally excellent compositions. Basically, Volker is, to me, an aesthetically (ultra-?) sound photographer. Originality ? Not his major strength imo. So, I'd say that the elves may have considered picking the man and birds in this folder, or some of Volker's rock pictures. Imo, the present choice is just - I'm close to say "objectively" - a weak choice. A choice of one of the rare pictures by Volker where aesthetics are good but nothing special, whereas Volker has many other photos which are aesthetically more eye-pleasing.

by many different photographers (including myself, although mine aren't nearly as good technically).

 

great exposure, but the subject is really cliche and boring to me (note the "to me" part)

First of all, thanks for the kind comments and the constructive criticism regarding all of my photos. I am always happy to hear other peoples opinions and I have to admit that I learn more from negative comments, although they might not feel too good when I read them at first. But I am not a photographer. I am a scientist first and foremost and photography is only a hobby for me. I agree with people who say that originality is not my strength, but I never thought my photos were very original or creative. There are photographers here at Photo.net that are much, much better at that than me.

 

However, I try to make any photo that I take as aesthetically pleasing as possible. That might explain the frames that some people dont like, but I do like them. I think every photo deserves a frame and the frames were made to fit into my web site when I created it. I later posted a few of my photos here on photo.net and never took the time to redesign the frames.

 

My computer screen had a resolution of 800x600 so I never understood why people thought my photos were too small until I upgraded to 1280x800 and now I completely agree. Maybe I will find the time to resize my photos eventually and I will start with this one.

 

When I got into the office this morning, I had a few emails telling me that one of my photos was selected as POW, but for some reason I couldnt open Photo.net. When I finally was able to look at it my first thought was Oh, they picked that one?

 

Although being happy to be chosen, I was surprised by the choice. To answer one comment: No, I would have chosen a different photo but I am not the one who makes that decision. On the other hand, as the saying goes, there is not sense in discussing taste. I have photos in my portfolio that I like a lot and that other people dont care for at all and I put up a few that I consider just ok and that people compliment me on in emails. I am glad if people like my photos and their criticism always helps me to improve.

 

So, if this weeks POW creates a discussion about what is important in a photo, aesthetics, originality, emotion, or a cheesy title, please feel free to comment and dont hold back.

 

Thanks again for all your constructive criticism and for the honor of picking one of my photos as POW.

Thanks for your input Volker, and for being open to constructive criticism.

 

While I picked on this photograph in particular as being derivative, upon visiting your portfolio, I have to agree with Marc when he says (and you concede) that originality is not your strong point. But if this sounds overly harsh, let me add that I, like you, also classify myself as a hobbyist, and my work is not terribly original either. When I get around to uploading some photos (later this year/early next), this will be apparent for all to see.

 

Just wanted you to know that my earlier comments were intended in a "constructive" spirit, and that I respect you for being active in this discussion.

 

Cheers.

Overexposed and oversaturated in my opinion. Wants flash, and circular polarizer to cancel reflection on aquarium glass.

Moderator edit: Blatant and overly-excessive nasty content toned and edited. This forum is more relaxed but there are still some guidelines. New guidelines to be written this week.

Hmmmmmm,

 

For those curious individuals, here is the "original" photo that has been "paid tribute" to (the one Nick speaks about). I would say the execution on the original is vastly superior.

 

But for what it's worth, probably 90%, if not more, of photos taken nowadays are derivative. Don DeLillo commented in the book "White Noise" that, oddly enough, people will travel to distant and exotic places in an attempt to take photos of images they have seen in magazines and post cards. Bizarre, when you really think about it.

 

Perhaps it is true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

 

J

ooops the image didn't attach....here's the url

 

http://www.britishcolumbia.com/PhotoGallery/index.asp?catID=24

I too have seen the original photo used in advertising, that this photo is based on, as I live in the Vancouver area. The original is MUCH better. Not really sure why this was picked as a POW.

Congrats with being selected for POW. The curve of the window is a great touch. I have the impression the picture would have become much nicer if the "Bulage whale" had come closer to the person on the right...thus enabling a tighter framing. But (I guess) this whale did not and then one can only make the best of it...and as far as I can judge you did.

 

However, I would have chosen your picture of "The Seaguls" as POW...that one is really stunning.

Nice photo.

 

I'm just wondering-- who is this English Master who crafts thoughs POW commentaries? I'm all in awe of how much you can babble over a single photo ;)

 

Good work, Volker!

I'm not surprised that you wouldn't have picked this one, as I said, but I would actually be curious to know what's your favorite shot among those uploaded here... I think POW photographers who dare to speak have something to tell us about what they are after and I'd really like to know what's your personal favorite - if you don't mind of course.

Besides that, let me just clarify something... When I said that I thought Volker's strength was in aesthetics more than in originality - which he agreed with -, I didn't mean it as a critique - AT ALL.

I'm one of those who have been from the start saying that there should be no originality rating on photo.net. Basically, I can still really enjoy seeing the most conventional portrait you can think of. Or for that matter, anything that's well done and somehow conveys something... I personally believe that originality is over-rated. What matters imo is how a picture looks, and how it feels. The man and bird shot for example is really wonderfully composed and the colors are just stunning. As a result, I feel it's madly refreshing to look at, and I get a sense of the magic of some moments we all had outdoors... The Man and birds says FREEDOM to me, and that's why in the end it moves me a lot more than this POW selection does. My opinion is not at all based on originality in this case. Thought I needed to make that clear...