Seriously Red

another one from the fire training facility

I think what's really brilliant in this picture, Carl, is that you have managed to pull off a truly good composition with everything red around a single white/grey main line. And the other fine lines just serve as a help to structure the whole thing. Would I hang this on my wall ? Perhaps not, because that's not the kind of work I look for when it comes to decorate my place, but it's very good work, and I wish some people could identify the photographic strength of the eye who can see such a composition, and make something out of virtually nothing. My only minor criticism would be the following: this picture, to me, is in fact very alive in its own (silent) right. So I'd personally prefer the start of the main (bright) line at top, not to be vertical, because that's where my eye started, and this straight vertical start forced me into a fairly STATIC feel. I'd have liked that vertical bright line to be oblic : basically, rotating your camera about 20 to 30? ccw is what I'd suggest - which would incidentally "shake" the stability of what seems to be a K and an S as far as fine background lines are concerned. The result would be more dynamic and, to me, a tad better - but that's subjective, I guess. Regards.

Marc, thanks for your thoughts. I really didn't think it was that bad, judging by the rates, but sometimes you wonder.

 

My thinking here was that you would process the red first, then the heavy white line, and lastly the K and S which would help to restore some sense of stability. I actually used the straight line segment of the "S" to rotate it 1.5 degrees to get it dead square.

 

I have a two foot by three foot print hanging over the fireplace . . . .

 

(just kidding; it clashes with my sofa.)

hi carl..

 

the most intresting thing here is that the image is constructed only with lines... it is niche there is an intresting mix between straights and curves dividing the frame into 2 sections. on the other side it is quite obvious that these are KS letters and the must be mounted one something translucent... as seen from the light passing in the reversed Y letter... really a deep image to dig into, if someone is willing to spend time on it. Also the level of textures in the paint (or on the red surface) is intresting and create even more subtle straight and curved lines.... i guess this one is much better printed than seen on web. On the rating side: sit down on your most confortble armchair, take a deep breath, drink something if you like, and then... make a big loud laugh on the face of all those that don't even spend 1 minute time to *try* understand an image!

It's an oil tanker. They painted the whole thing red, for some reason. The bright lines are where the paint pealed away, so now you see the sun reflected in the clean metal. Notice the hot spot and gradients.

ah! i though it was backlit by something... anyway... now that i look it better there are also textures of rust and paint cracking... there is really a more lot to see in the image that just lines.

My eyes come to rest where the peeling paint (or scratch) has been stopped dead by the K and S; the power of the alphabet, indeed. Nice subtle texture; the inclusion of the reflected highlights makes it more "real".

 

Is the composition slightly unbalanced toward the left? If so, does that make this image have more tension? Would it be better to see a little bit more of the 'S' up top?

This image was cropped very slightly from the top and both sides. There does seem to be a bit less information on the right, but I didn't want the inside "S" curve too close to the edge. I'll go back and see what it looks like with a little more room on top.

Free association time ... I see a shark swimming in blood, a corporate shark perhaps?

Excellent work with great composition.... I like it, Carl!

I gave up the "hang it on my wall" criteria after my first phil of art class.

 

This is good visual design. All the bits hang together nicely. It's good to see you've returned to this place, and am interested to see some more. The dreamcather is still my fav, though.

"Famous Artist for $500 Alex." Buzzzzz.... "Who is Andy Warhol?"

 

Well it's no soup can Carl, but I guess it works for a lot of people. For me it seems a bit flat and the white/grey lines reminded me of a piece of inverted anatomy draw by a bored construction worker. It must be art because I can't quite understand it. Of course the worst part is having to admit that it is over my head, so don't take my inability to get a handle on this as a negative response.

 

 

 

Dennis, that's one of the best "I don't like it" critiques I've ever read. :-)

 

It's not among my favorites from the oil tanker series, but I thought I'd include it to show the range of possibilities.

 

Ben, I think a lot of us are seeing blood these days. I guess the bleeding will stop eventually, but what will the survivors look like?

 

Aaron, I still like "Dream Catcher", too. I took another version of that composition on this trip to compare the differences in lighting. I'll put it up shortly.