diving session ( http://fabiangrunwald.blogspot.com )

Hey, it may not be my cup of tea either, but give Fabian a break. He took a pretty damn good picture, showed some imagination, and did something different, and some of you are going on like he's a Pentium chip for daring to post this. Look around at the top Gallery pages- the same stupid landscapes, contorted body parts....yawn... this at least has a sense of humor and looks good. Ease up.

Most of your work is characterized by very crisp and elegant simplicity, and this one is no exception. I have enjoyed your folder very much. If I had anything negative to say about this picture, it would be that perhaps the tomato is just slightly too far to the left, but that's a minor point and just my opinion. Congratulations on the PoW.

1. The picture's cool, clean colors - presenting the mundane in dramatic fashion - are analogous to shallow hype that surrounds the commercial world in our too comfortable lives.

 

2. The picture is a celebration of simplicity - an exposition of the color, light and movement that surrounds us. It invites us to look in the immediate world for the little mysteries, the surprises, and the bits of refreshing nonsense that make of long life - a pleasure.

 

3. It makes me thirsty.

 

------

 

It is a very interesting picture of a tomato and water that I have never seen before. I think Mr. Grunwald did good. He should not care an iota what the altogether too serious aesthetes have to say about it - they are mistaken.

Very inviting. Nice work, Mr Grunwald. It's encouraging to me to see that this picture was taken with a sub-high end camera. I have a Canon A60 and, while not as high up as the S30, your photo motivates me to try more challenging shots.

 

Some may claim the photo is 'soulless'. My response to that is: Who made anyone an authority on 'soul', anyway. It's a tomato. And, I'm not so sure Fabian was thinking to himself as he was shooting this, "I sure hope this photo has soul."

I see a tomato falling thru water, and I see it clearly. It's refreshing and interesting to me.

 

Bravo, Mr Grunwald

Earlier I posted that I agreed that picture lacked "soul," and another post said who is the authority on "soul." Well I certainly am not. After thinking about what I wrote I realize I'm wrong. It does have "soul," how can it not. The effort and workmanship in creating is inherintly soulful and the end result will always be an object, be it photo, written, painted, etal. It is the effort in creating something that didn't previously exist which makes something have this "soul." In my own efforts to create I often am left unsatisfied, however, I still own it, and it is mine; it took effort and that effort is where the "soul" exists. If no one should like what I create than that is their business and to say it lacks a quality that it intrinsicly posesses is silly and vein. It is a good photo and I am envious of FG's effort to "get it right." So I appologize for being an authority, where there really is none, except within the creator.

 

mike

I have a small problem with this image. If the photo was created with an S30, which has the flash on the left (from the photographers POV) why then, is the shadow clearly from a light source that is from the right of the photographers POV

Phil, you flip the image for a more pleasing look!

Very Cool. I love it even more after your description on how it was done. Simple technology, a great eye, and perseverance. Made my evening.

Thanks for sharing it.

Very well done.

 

I would have thought the tomato would have had more bubbles clinging, that close to the point of entry.

A few "sour tomatoes" in the rants here. I'll go with the judges... Excellent catch, Fabian, and some hard work.

Technically I think this is very good. Lighting and timing were important. Also patience to shoot so many takes and come away with what you liked.

 

I would tire of this image as a wall piece quite quickly but I am at the same time envious of your execution. Bravo on being selected.

Nice capute and good technique. I am amazed with this achievement by using such a simple tool. Both colour saturation, composition and management of action were superbly handled.

Very Techi Picture, I am sure you can sell it as posters, but it does not mean anything.

This shot does offer some eye-catching elements. Personally, I

like the silk moire pattern effect of the water where the lower

2/3rds looks fabric flat while the upper 1/3rd 3-D effect of the

water surface throws one into a stereographic quandry . I don't

particularly care for the red-rimmed water break that appears on

my monitor - maybe this is not seen by the rest of you. Some

intermediate color gradations hues seem to have been

eliminated through PS contractions in the "break water." I guess

this was to enhance graphic appeal although I would have

preferred more color variation detail. I like the star-fish quality of

the green stem on the tomato but I'm not wild about the overly

perfect rendition of the tomato itself. Well, allrighty then! I'm going

to have to start taking tomato shots since the fruit has earned

two POWs in less than 4 months! See Richard's "Man with

Tomato" tribute from April 2003.

Spendid image, Fabian. Kudos to you.

 

I live in the Netherlands, and had to smile on seeing this photo.

My first thought was what a good advertisement it would be for

tomatoes grown here, which are known in Germany as

"Wasserbomben".

A masterpiece. When I read the comments about soullessness and meaninglessness I wondered if I was missing something. But after looking at the galleries of the critics, I'm even more impressed by Diving Session. It has everything - composition, colour sense,

timing, originality, oh, and it looks good too. Great work.

This gives me the feeling of being in the cold water. A welcome sensation since here in the Atlanta, Georgia area it is hot as blazes and humid too.

 

A geat POW and the first I have felt compelled to comment on.

 

Good work and next time maybe get rubber gloves to help with the blue arms!

It does go to prove that you don't need high$ cameras and equipment to get technically great shots. Sometimes we get too caught up in gear and gadgets and forget what it's all about. This is a good example for people who think they can't take good shots because they have an inexpensive camera.

"...but still a really difficult picture..." said the motivation of this POW...

"...technical masterpiece..." , "...saturation is beautiful and the lighting is perfect, both on the subject and the surrounding water..."

, "...very technical exercise..." , "...A masterpiece..."

 

Are you all joking ?

Throwing pomato in a bowl of water making 100 shots with a digital camera to find one correct requires high photographic technical knowledge ???

 

Fabian, sorry to be out of the chorus. The image is nice indeed.

regards

Can't say I like this. The photographer admits it was basically a lucky shot. My first thought when I see it is "PhotoShop". It looks so digital.

Alberto: How would you suggest achieving this shot? Some things take 100 tries to get the way you want. Perhaps you would plot the trajectories, and do the fractal mathematics necessary to predict (were that even possible) the exact moment to get it on the first try, and then declare it more successful? Or would it all seem more professional if some elaborate equipment were being used?

 

One of the beauties of digital is allowing this sort of interaction and experimentation. The suggestion of this being a "lucky shot" might be true if it was one snap and there it was, but the photographer worked repeatedly at getting this. That, btw, is a fairly time honored method of working, and the idea of taking tons of photos to get the right one is not unique to digital. Why are people holding this photo to some criteria about method anyway? It sounds like sour grapes rationalizations to find something wrong. It's a successful image.

 

I'm interested in hearing what the "correct" way of creating this is, from a real technical expert.

I really like this. It is simple, clean and enjoyable to look at. It also serves as a

reminder of all the beautiful stuff that happens around us on a daily basis.

Drop a tomato into the sink while washing it, and something like this might

happen. If only we could freeze time and look for a while...

Bravo! A "memorable" image. There's nothing wrong about having persistence and doing a take over and over again until you get it "right." This is the mark of a true craftsman. You still have to discern when you have the image you want. I think the naysayers here are jealous. This may not be one to frame and look at every day, but then again, that's not the only goal of photography. This image is very appealing and eye catching. The patterns are fascinatng. Its also a very creative execution of a simple idea. Again, Bravo.

Interesting that there is such a huge gap between members here regarding this image. Great. POW does what it is supposed to do - generate discussion and debate. Hopefully it also shows that there is no "wrong" or "right" opinion.

I am glad that POW shows serious "art" photography as well as "splashy" (pardon the pun) eye candy. To me it all has merit. I do happen to find this image to be quite dynamic and exciting. Hats off to experimentation and success. I believe it inspires photographers to try new things.

I will ask that members not rant at other members or make unnecessary rude remarks as I'd like to not have to edit remarks to make them more civil. Please read the guidelines on the home page for POW.

Hey, this picture is cyan and red. What more could you want? Soul? How about PIZAZZ! How about UMMPFF? How about GAZOING! ??

 

Good photography is the same in concept as good sex: Sometimes it's got soul and emotion, and sometimes it's done in the kitchen.