white demons

You misunderstood me, Lannie, willfully or accidentally. Of course I did not say statements of preference have no place in a critique forum. When I mentioned language misunderstandings, I was thinking of those for whom English is not a first language, but I guess it applies elsewhere. What I said was that the elves don't choose based on which photo they think is better, so they likely wouldn't have chosen differently, which is what Michael was suggesting. That some may think this photo is not as good as other photos in the portfolio is, as you say, reasonable to consider in any thoughtful critique.

Thank you for clarifying that, Fred. I for one am very glad that you take the time to post here and elsewhere on the site.

I am not sure which the elves would have chosen had the color version appeared on Photo.net. I am rather glad that this photo got Photo of the Week, in spite of the fact that the content does seem a bit vacuous. Even so, beauty for beauty's sake is alright with me once in a while.

--Lannie

Fred, there is no language problem I just agreed to this point of yours ,thats it. But! the discussion between you and Lannie... sorry, but it does not fit here as well... ;-))

Part of the reason why the rotated orientation doesn't work for me is because of the direction of the fog pouring out of the jug follows gravity and destroying any attempt at an alternate illusion. I don't know that there's an easy technical solution other than photoshop.

The color version appears to have been shot moments before the B/W version as seen by the model's hand under the running fog. The contrast treatment of the B'W might have been a bit too aggressive rendering the skin tone wax-like compared to the more natural looking color version.

The lighting is interesting - it appears to come from 2 sources: slightly above ground level to the left and right of model's head and feet. It creates a nice textured effect with the random folds of the fabric.

The pictures (both versions) contain the essential elements of a successful image. The only lacking to my taste is the sense of depth which I believe might have been achievable by shooting from a much lower angle; of course that would create all sorts of other problems like needing a much larger fog coverage area etc.

I don't know whether I prefer the black and white or the color version, but it is easier to assess the expressions and poses of the models in the color version. What you see is that model in the background works very well. She is gazing at something, but it isn't clear exactly what it is; the ambiguity is very pleasant to behold. But the model in the foreground appears lifeless. You can't even see her eyes. And the break that was created in the fog from just above her mouth to below her chin doesn't look very natural.

Several comments speak about "two beautiful models". Can a photographer take credit for beauty of his/her model?

<<<Can a photographer take credit for beauty of his/her model?>>>

Really fascinating question.

A photographer may (or may not) take credit for bringing that beauty out. He can also give his model or subject credit for all sorts of contributions to the photo, including their looks, as most photos of people are collaborations to a lesser or greater degree. A photographer can take credit for choosing the right model or subject for a photo. A photographer can also rely on the beauty of a model or subject, sometimes to the detriment of the photo. "Beauty" is a tricky concept at best. Most "beautiful" models and subjects are already considered "beautiful" by most. They have the "right" features, the "right" skin texture, etc. The kind of beauty that's of more significance to me is the beauty a photographer or anyone else can create, showing a viewer something beautiful that that viewer might not have noticed before or might not have thought of as beautiful before.

Sometimes even the way that we crop can draw attention to the model's beauty--or charms--thereby directing the viewer to notice beauty that he or she might otherwise have missed.

--Lannie

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From technical perspective I see an awesome masterpiece. What I particularly like, is how fog and cloth are merging in the lower right

thus connecting the two "demons" in a close circle with the pouring bowl. It's almost as if they are creating themselves.

I see also that beyond the superficial picture created here, there seems to miss something that would qualify this also as a masterpiece of

art. Maybe its sheer perfection is a barrier to that deeper understanding.

What I'm missing in this discussion is the question what has been the intention? If it was creating a work of "style" as Fred put it, it's

extremely successful. If there has been an different intention, I'd be curious to learn what it was.

Last but not least about the title: I'm rather thinking about Asian mythology, with that background I consider it suitable. Although a less

descriptive title would allow wider interpretations.

Would you mind not being so consistently talented Mr Weissenegger? Your portfolio is fantastic and is making the rest of us look bad :P

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I have omitted to see this masterpiece of yours before, my friend! Correction done! Congratulations!

Best regards

PDE

"Possible Nude Content"? Seriously? Please point out the nudity in this photo for me. Someone at p.net is taking their job a bit too seriously.