Old Trick

I see this image more along the lines of commercial or advertising photography that can't stand on its own without context - at least in its current incarnation. To succeed as a purely artistic image, I think we need to strip the colors, tweak the tones, and remove the Tech Details Steve so generously shared with us so we're kept guessing.

Well, I tried posting an inline image without success. This is a second try.

Michael Chang nails it. In black and white an emphasis is on form and shape, the fake looking blue background disappears and I suddenly like this picture a lot more. Still not a Picture of the Week for me but a lot better. Realising POW's can't possibly satisfy all tastes, this picture has at least sparked a debate which is in itself a good thing.

Back to the crop. Obviously being subjective here, but I got the feeling from Michael's short string version, that someone was holding the string just above the frame. The movement is now across rather than vertical, similar to the typical crystal ball picture we're all familiar with.

 

But I don't think that's what Steve intended at all. The long string clearly reinforces the upward extension as does the intentional compositional imbalance resulting from all that sky.

 

I also like the alternating side light and shadows on both hands and arms. . . . clearly intentional and very well thought out.

I believe this has been mentioned before... the purpose of Photograph of the Week is to promote discussion, thought, and not specifically about which photos are best. If the image had been cropped, we would have that much less to talk about. I agree that the cropped version is more asthetically(sp?) pleasing, but the original version is different, and in a way that the photographer had hoped for. If not for the line, the plumb would take on a different meaning, and shortening the line takes away from this. Why have the line at all? Perhaps a line that fades towards the top would work better? It's hard to say now that I've already experienced the original (and this might have to be done by "digital manipulation" which is not along the goal of the photogrpaher) I'd like to point out that experiencing a photo depends very much on the method of presentation (computer screen, print, ect.) and also the size. This photo, printed at "life size" (according to the actual size of the sister's hands) might be profound, especially the origianl version, but it doesn't work so well on computer screen... that may be part of the reason for the cropping suggetsions. Honestly, I've considered making my own frames because I'd like to break away from the traditional aspect ratios, and I often hate to crop my 35mm format photos to make them work in 8 by 10. Heck, who says they even need to be based on "right angles"? How about ovals and other curved shapes. Anyway, I'm getting off topic, but my point is that a computer screen isn't a good way to judge how a photo will look hanging on a wall (and this depends very much on the wall...) By the way, a very tall vertical of this image, with the line extending almost to the ceiling, would be really cool.

Being new to this site, and maybe I'm just slow, but I'm starting to believe the P.O.W. is not supposed to be the best image in the world, nor a persons personal best, but one that can be discussed in varying ways as to how it moves us and if so, why, etc.! I, like many of you, have been a little off course on this on the last few picks (except the one of the lady at the dresser I did not see a lot of merit in the choices).

 

This image does look nice with Michael Chang's version, I must admit. And Dennis points out that my heavy border added to my cropped version changes the image to some extent in it's own way. He is correct. And if I had to change my crop (I know -for those non-perfectionists- like WHO CARES- well some of us do and you'll just have to put up with us) it would include a dash more of the line now. (Again, who cares but a perfectionist).

 

The original does not have to please us in such a manner that 'we would hang it in our home', but that is not the criterion to look at it in the first place, nor any other art. It's more of 'do I get drawn into it, do I stay in, does it keep my interest, etc.'.

 

A lot of you questioning 'why this one' have no images like this at all in your portfolios, and that's ok- I don't either. But I also create a lot of art that would look good on a museums walls, but not in a home (according to some critics). Lots of us do that. The question again is, do you like the final product for what it is visually? A lot of very 'dark' art moves me, but I would never want to own it, do you know what I mean? That does not make it bad. I think that's why lots of people, myself included, get lower ratings on some of our pieces. They judge it on how they compare it to their art, likes and dislikes, not on how well the image was made!!?

 

Personally I like the simplicity of this image, the contrast of warmth against cold, the nuetral white hands, the balance of it all and the nice side light. It is not like most of the art submitted which is, should I whisper it- boring snap shots of friends, relatives and pets!

 

Blessings, Michael

You wrote: "there are many other and far more interesting pictures in the portfolio of Steve to be chosen for discussion IMHO..."

 

I do not agree or disagree with you, Jacques, but your post made me curious - mostly because I have followed Steve's work for quite some time -, which picture(s) you thought were more appropriate and why? An opportunity perhaps to discuss a bit Steve's portfolio rather than just a picture - assuming this still fits the POW regulations.

 

You wrote: "the background looks fake and flat, so are the hands"

 

I agree about the background, but then again, a sky as a background for a symbolic image is really nothing new, and it can either have no meaning or serve as an indication that we are facing a symbolical image, or refer to an etheral (intellectual or spiritual) world. Therefore, the sky is not a problem for me, but rather a necessary environment to be understood with regards to a symbolical approach and to the possible meaning of these symbols.

 

You wrote: "and the red color chosen for the pendulum, which set up just in the mid, doesnt fit much the rest of this virtual image".

 

Again, I can't agree. I would rather ask: "why is this pendulum red?" and look for what red may symbolize in this case - flesh, passion, life, humanity, etc.

 

All I'm trying to say is that an image like this can't be judged purely based on aesthetics: it is, like Magritte's works, a symbolical image, and therefore has a meaning, which is supposed to command all decisions the photographer made.

Brilliant comment on the need to strive to find balance in our lives. That's how I see it at least. Conceptual art is just wonderful and you really do it so well Steve. You are a true artist... Congrats

Strangely enough Marc and despite the tone of your long speech I can't find much desagreement from your side with my initial short comment... :o)

and you are right to call this an "image" rather than a photography... it was what I meant using the world 'virtual' to qualify it. Concerning the 'Magritte style's background, doesnt look like a real sky to me, at least clouds (?) look distorted...

this image has certainly and obviously a meaning, so is the color of pendulum,... but it is not enough to erase the aesthical issues, but all these judgments are necessarily subjective and I won't dare to ask everybody to have the same feeling as I.

It is not, in my understanding, in the POW rule to discuss other pictures, but, in the same conceptual folder, aesthetically wise, the harmony of colours, composition and lines are IMO far better in re-rematch , illusion and in a less extent though in eye venture

As an amateur, I'd like to just add my 2 cents. I was immediately reminded of the blade and the chalise, so if that was the intention of the shapes and their positions - it works very well. Strangely enough, what throws me off is the color scheme - red, white and blue. I prefer the black and white rendition for it's spirituality and provocativeness, but the color image (original) keeps drawing me back. Makes me delve into the possible political symbolism. I prefer it as done - no cropping and no black border. Very nice - thought provoking for sure.

"Michael Chang nails it. In black and white an emphasis is on form and shape..."

 

The line and plum disappear into the BG - it ruins the image to desaturate...

First, congrats to Steve.

Second, regrets that I left it so very late to put my oar in.

 

And finally, awe-struck admiration to Mike Seeward! Wow, what a business scheme! For all those who haven't visited Mike's site, put simply, he asks people to sponser his travel - they pay up-front, he goes off and takes photos in exotic places, and when he comes back they get to chose a photo. Lord, why didn't I think of that!

Congratulations for being POW !! Great image indeed. To my friends here at the discussion, I would like you to remind you te LOGO og UNICEF.....it's similar. I like this image cuz. at the fist instinct only, I could uderstand what it is trying to symbolise. Something coming right from the sky above nad hence the background of sky. Though, the hands are trying to catch an unusual 'object', but I don't think it matters as long as the symbolism is emphatic. And it is this symbolism, what I like of this PHOTOGRAPH.

 

Colors are contrasty and attractive. It will be surely one photograph which can be taken to a fine arts museum to depict the inteect of a human being.

 

I can see the parallel between human mind which thousands year back got the idea of making a straight line using this technique and Steve's idea of doing the same at his home. It's a very innocent and at the same time very motivating work !!!

 

Congrats again Steve

Maybe the apparatus is new to you, but this is the only tool used for vertical alingment in all third world countries (also in advanced countries where a level is impossible to use or isn't that accurate or no suitable for the tall structure). Seeing this thing all my life it has little original value to me and this picture doesn't really mean much to me unfortunately.

It's sexual to me, in a Freudian sort of way. I'm seeing the plumb as a phallus and the hands as a vagina. I don't think I've ever seen a photo like this before. But it does look like the definition I hold in my head of fine art. It's extremely subjective and it lets the viewer speculate as to what the real meaning is or just enjoy the visual treat. Well done.

I remember I saw this photo for the first time in PHOTOmagazine Romania and it was number 16 from july-august 2006. Your works caught my eye. Mr. Chong, you are doing an excellent work. Best wishes, Leontin.