Violin 2

This picture is about music, but I don't feel any dynamism or music flowing out of there. The gentleman appears to be sleeping. A flat image.

The motivation for this POW is simply perfect.

my compliments

I think it's great - reminds me of an old master painting. BTW, a couple of responses have commented on its being soft, as though that were not a good thing. Why not? What's wrong with soft?

I think it is ok, but it has no bite! Low constrast, and the man shirt is too dark or unlit too bad could have been a great shoot!

Bridget, Exemplary photograph! Your piece has Prahna. I can almost hear the breath of it. The comment of it depicting God as in a Michael Angelo creation is not far from where it went for me. Photograph 2 gets me right there. I could not help but focusing on the musicians hands. They are so young looking. A contrast to his face of wisdom. Not unlike the present creations that come from the Higher Power. Congratulations on seeing beauty with your eyes and sharing it. Do not stop.

George

outstanding! it is simply beatyful .. you can almost hear the violin and almost smell the old perfomance hall .. i love it

outstanding! it is simply beatyful .. you can almost hear the violin and almost smell the old perfomance hall .. i love it

This picture does show two dedicated people in their respective profession.

I've been wondering all week why this one doesn't affect me like it does so many viewers. I think I've worked it out. It's because I don't equate beards with wisdom or god. The parallel drawn with Michelangelo's god probably does explain a large portion of this picture's popularity. But then if you consider that Michelangelo was only guessing, then what's that comparison worth? Not much if you don't believe Michelangelo's guess. Others have seen wisdom and passion on this guys face. How? Perhaps he's just frowning. Would he be less wise without the beard? Would he be less passionate a performer clean-shaven?

 

I certainly don't mind the picture, it's a solid composition and I congratulate the photographer on POW and the enthusiastic responses to the picture. I just wanted to point out that reactions to this picture seem closely tied to one's preconceptions about beards, wisdom, passion and god.

His expression is beautiful.

Timeless piece.

Time have come to a standstill.

Good job!

Fabulous mood and capture.

Well done.

It IS quite the image.

Great picture Bridget. I think the softness in the face that people have mentioned actually makes it better so it isn't as harsh. As for Violin 1 vs. Violin 2, I think I like #2 better, but to me its almost a toss of a coin, they are really two different pictures.

Bridget,

I am more amazed by the overall response to your picture than to the picture itself. Most of what was said was predictable for a photo such as this. My initial reaction was the photo was "staged" or somehow theatrical. To a certain degree I was correct.

There is not much more "postive" to add (let's please stop slobbering!)

Just remember one "killer" photo does not a photographer make.

Avoid cliches and look inward to find your vision.

Search for true meaning!

Enjoy this moment.

"Die Knowing Something" (!) - Walker Evans

P.

Bridget, I have taken time out to read all the comments. Be aware! I do know a young female (she works in the industry) who produced one or two striking photos, when she took the plunge. Today, some five years later, she is not taking any pictures anymore! In RETROSPECT: She was 'glowing' by absorbing all the praise passed on to her until..... Yes, until a few "old hands", in photography, brought her down to earth. There is no MORE jealousy in any other profession than what photography can claim for. Should you ever get invited to a photographer's convention and let say 10 to 20% of participants will pat you on the back (which doesn't happen too often!) you can congratulate yourself. It is much easier to become a famous painter than a celebrated photographer, there are just too many good 'shutter-bugs' around.

another well-deserved picture-of-the-week "award".For me personally, the photo is not about music but about the person, his life and his passion, so i prefer this version.

And to the elves and especially to John McLaine "The parallel drawn with Michelangelo's god probably does explain a large portion of this picture's popularity." - probably not. What makes you think that everybody tries to intellectualize the photo? Some people, like myself, just like it, without looking for any resemblance. I don't believe in Michelangelo's old bearded God, I don't think anybody does, and in my humble oppinion, even Michelangelo did not consider the image of God he painted "realistic" at all. I guess he tried to paint a representative figure.

Representative for what? Just like in this photo: one can see God, while others can see a musician from London Philharmonic Orchestra, or a homeless working for his breakfast - doesn't really matter, since they all have something in common: life experience, knowledge and satisfaction. The age, the bald head, the beard, the passionate body language, all contribute to show a person with a life behind, productive and rich in experiences as it can be.

Wish you all a good light today.

Hi, I'm a professional violinist and just wanted to clarify that the bow is totally normal

in both shots. In the POW the stick is tilted away from the player, but the hair

remains on the string. A player will do that to soften and/or smooth out the sound.

If you look at the tip carefully (the end furthest away from the hand) you'll see the

bow is right-side-up. Anyway, I love the shot and congratulations!

You don't need to intellectualize in order see that the image does have a strong

relationship to Michelangelo's image. Michelangelo's image has been displayed to us

so many times over the period of our lives that it has changed the way we see the

world, in particular the idea of an old bearded man. That is the effect of powerful

images. It is as though we have different eyes.

I must say that I'm proud to have the very first to recognize this photo for what it is: a brilliant image. However, I'm even prouder that I was able to acquire a print of this lovely image from the artist herself. I had the opportunity in the last ten days to meet Bridget and Sean Driver, whom I found to be just wonderful. I was in London for wedding which happened to be taking place mere yards from where Bridget and Sean live and work. On May 30th, Bridget, Sean and I met and exchanged photos. I was the lucky recipient of a print of this image and must say that for all its beauty on screen, it makes an absolutely spectacular print with a wonderful luminosity that knocks you off your feet. The Twilight Zone element of the whole encounter was created when I hopped on the net a couple of days later and then found that it got the POW. Talk about wacky coincidences... Nonetheless, I'm intensely proud that this image will soon be hanging in a place of honor in my home.

 

I must say also, though, that for all the joy I got in receiving a print of this image, it can't exceed the joy I got in meeting the artist herself. She and Sean are gracious, kind and lovely people. I hope that if any of you ever have the chance to meet them, you won't pass up the opportunity. I assure you that you will be enriched by the encounter.

 

Thank you again Bridget for sharing this shot with the world and for your kindness in giving me a print of it. Thanks also to you and Sean for your kindness in sharing a pint or two with me and for all your kindness to me.

when dad said it was amazing i thought he was being bias but oh my god he was right!!! the more i look at it the more it grows on me.

It really grabbed my attention when i first saw it. its fantastic.

i hope to b cing more of your photos on here. you have hundreds of great photos, i've seen them!!!

great work bridgy

moni

This photo is downright iconic! There is a timeless, placeless essence to the image.

 

Hmmm . . . God playing the violin!

 

(but it was the devil went down to Georgia!)

Bridget, simply stunning. The composition is sensational, and the black background makes the shot. I notice that you have taken a shot ot two of the hungerford bridge at Waterloo. I live a 2 minute walk from here, and I shoot a lot os sunsets down at westminster. Would be great to shoot some film with you sometime.

Darn...so late in the game to add a comment. Bridget my sincere congratulations on the well deserved POW, you should be proud. I said this before on another image but I'll say it again here. This is a perfect example of that real photography fiber which most people struggle with trying to attain. Photoshop reliant people will never be able to do what you have done so well. Bravo!

I know this guy. His name is Helmut. We were shooting a pilot for an American TV

series. He was watching us shoot so we asked him to be an extra. He did more than

that. He played his fiddle, making the music for the entire sequence. Great pic. Very

photogenic chap. Indeed, here is a video grab (which is a mere speck compared to

your gorgeous photo.)

 

Funny, the money people said that every town has a guy like him. Unoriginal they

said, experts in originality that they are. And then, two years later, I see the same

person on photo.net. Amazing really....