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Annual circus event at the parking lot of a local mall, well organized and professionally presented. They travel across Canada from April through October and take winter months off - nice job if you can get it.

 

I posted a couple of pictures last year of this circus. The act has changed somewhat but still nice to see familiar faces. Bought "premium" tickets for ringside seats and got a nose full of elephant; they don't smell very nice up close but getting a good picture is worth a million bucks.

Interesting effect on the background of this photo Michael. Is it a cloud overlay? Also the woman's face tells of a million different stories. Did you get any portrait shots of her? This is a really great shot anyway. The more I look, the more I like.

 

John

Hey John!

 

This was actually in the undecided pile but more toward to the reject side; I like it, sort of, but something about it just didn't look right. It didn't have that immediate keeper appeal and finally thought it was because of the black background, so yes, it's an overlay but not clouds. It's of a marble tile.

 

A fresh look today seems I was too aggressive with the overlay which you confirmed by taking notice. The intention was to give it a surreal but natural appearance which it obviously isn't. Back to the drawing board.

 

I agonized over the woman (trainer). Her outfit and appearance just didn't seem to suit the segment with the several white horses, but maybe that's because I'm being too idealistic (thinking in commercial photography terms) that she should have been a chosen model dressed to pose for a photograph.

 

What does her expression say to you? I've stared at this for so long that it says nothing to me. No, I wasn't able to get a portrait of her..

Here's another

And two color pictures from the same show last year. First.

Second.

 

Same woman. She was wearing a blonde wig.

Last year's shots do not hold a candle to this year's. And don't go back to the drawing board, I like the overlay. Her face suggests eastern european royalty, but her footwear ruins it. Concentrating on the face only suggests capitulation. Without the circus context I would say her armies have been defeated and she is bowing in resignation to superior forces after a long battle. The overlay I think suggests the smoke of the aftermath of an ancient battle. Or maybe my imagination needs some fine tuning. I think that others will see both more and less in this photo, but it will make them think and that is the highest compliment I can think of for a photo.

 

John

Neat interpretation! I do see it now that it's mentioned. Guess I was caught up in the circus atmosphere and should allow some margin for alternate viewpoints. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, John.

 

The show was very professionally choreographed, surprising to me and exceeded my expectation for a (rather small) travelling circus. They only had lights, music and two commercial smoke machines to augment mood, but so well done. If they would only update their site to the same level of professionalism, using my pictures, of course! :þ

http://www.shrine-circus.com/show.html

Your pictures would only help that site, definitely. I often get caught up in the deficiencies of my own photos and fail to see their good points. I don't think that is uncommon in photographers that are always looking to improve. In other peoples photos I believe we see both the good and bad points, but are removed from the photo so we can judge the photo overall. In our own work we tend to see only the areas that need improving and cannot make the same fair assessment.

 

John

This new shot is great! I definitely like this better than last year's that you've attached...the total absence of color really works here. As for the effect you used, I like it as well. John's idea of the smoke clearing from a battle is a great interpretation!

 

I see sadness in the woman; and respect...like she and the horse are paying their final respects after the loss of someone great. Kind of like a state funeral where royalty/leaders from other countries would come...The effect you used adds to this mood, IMO.

 

Just a thought! :)

 

Leslie

Appreciate the feedback, Leslie. I might tweak this picture further then solicit both your input. The more I look, the more the overlay appears to draw attention.

Not draw attention Michael. It adds to the atmosphere of the photo. Tweak away though, I am always fascinated by your ingenuity.

 

John

I'm with John on this, Michael...it doesn't draw my eye away, but I'm interested in seeing where you go with this! Give a holler when you post your revision.

 

L

Okay, here's a variation with subtle changes to the background. This revision looks more like the fog and smoke I was originally after compared to the hard edges of the posted version.

 

For an A-B comparison, open the attachment in a new window and original in Large view, then tab between the two.

The revision is better...I even like the darkening of the area behind the horse. At first, I was a little concerned that you lost a bit of the tail, but after looking at it longer, I decided this was smart...it's still there, it's just lost in the smoke. It also seems like you left more "smoke" over the horse's lower body this time rather than clearing it all out...that seems more realistic. I also like the muting of the lines in the upper right area...seems more wispy now. Nicely done!

 

L

I think the revision is more pleasing too, but we'll have to wait for John's input.

 

There are infinite ways to fudge with this picture and John's initial remark has been a source of some reflection. There's also an interesting related thread here:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00IGy6&tag=

The differences are suttle here on my home computer, but on my uncalibrated work computer the revised photo was too dark to see it properly, but is fine on my trinitron at home. I think that both work to fire my imagination and I believe that no two individuals will ever view the same thing the same way and that it is up to the individual viewer to interpret his or her own message from an image of any sort. I wonder if they will get a consensus in that thread you attached? Seems that none of them see it quite the same way lending credence to my statement(IMO, you will see it differently, if only slightly).

 

John

I've never been to the philosophy forum! I read thru most of it, but I'm tired after a long day and I started seeing little people in my head bickering back and forth. Sigh...it's interesting, but I wonder sometimes why people always have to be right or wrong...I'd like to think that there is merit in both sides of the argument. I guess I'm too much of a live and let live kinda person about some things. Although, ask anyone...I like to be right, too! (smirk). Have a great night.

 

Leslie

I think the burden on the author might be far greater than that of a viewer in perception forming. After all, it's he who got up in the morning, carried his camera and made the image, so naturally there should be greater insight into all aspects of its making including intent.

 

This picture has no title as I wasn't able to think of one suitable and John's interpretation could well evolve into a great one, but at the expense of a captive (intended) interpretation.

 

Take for example this picture where motive and intent was called into question because viewers are free to interpret without guidelines. It's obviously an extreme example, but even an ordinary picture such as this, maybe a captive audience would also be a more receptive one.

I didn't see "circus" when I first viewed this picture, Michael. Elegant and artistic are the words that came to mind.

It is certainly elegant. A wonderfully composed image, Michael!

Wonderful image, the lighting serves to focus the viewer on the relationship

between the handler and the horse. (I've owned horses for 20 years and these performers are special, not all horses can be trained to go in front of a crowd nor can all be trained to do tricks.) She is likely giving him a cue to hold the position. Love the discussion and interpretations--it's what makes it "art". To a horse person this is a wonderful portrayal of "submission"-

a highly desireable quality in an animal that can be very dangerous if it chooses not to be. The other shots also have stories to tell, all are lovely.

Michael, this is really a wonderful and very impressive picture. Beautiful scene!

SPECTACULAR, Mike, just spectacular!!

Beautiful moment. Interesting treatment. Powerful...intimate. Thank you...one for my faves.