Park Bench

Anis, the simplicity is beautiful.  Regards. 6/7

Many thanks Aileen and Emanuel for your kind words. Regards - Anis.

I enjoy how the in-my-face slam of the linear slats of the bench, driving out of the frame toward me, are counteracted by the fluid, gentle curling wave of the decorative backing. That gentle effect is supported by the delicate almost-touch of its echoing curl above and slightly behind it.

I am fascinated by the little cloud that hovers near the top-right of the image. It's lovely in contrast to the black metal -- whether or not intentionally.

I see it a bit like a lens or depth of field test. A shapely subject with an alluring color background portraying degrees of blur from sharp to fuzzy. I could see it being very effective as an illustration to an article on photographic technique.

It is nice.
I don't see it as a visual treat.. more like a salt free snack.
Richard

Ditto what Fred wrote

This is not an interesting photograph. It is not even an interesting park bench. It seems accidental. Like the photographer was aiming at something else and got this. I am all for photographing commonplace things. I've done it. The trick is to make the thing seem as if it is the essence of all things like it. If you cannot do that you fail, as does this Photo of the Week.

I really like this photo. I don't understand all the negative remarks.

--Lannie

The simplicity of this photograph draws me in and the curved design of the bench. One of my very favorite types of photography would definitely be ordinary, everyday objects presented in an interesting way. This photo does this successfully (in my opinion).

My eye is consistently drawn back into the OoF area of the image: I find that an interesting and also unusual (for me) phenomenon.
As this function is peculiar to this particular image, I find this image interesting as it held my attention for more than the fleeting glance, in a world of image pollution.
***
The critical comments about the image are also interesting.
Specifically, I disagree that there is only one guideline or rule as to whether an image or a photographer either is successful or "fails".

WW

Aside from its composition and the dramatic contrast between the black and green, the strong suit of this image is its geometry. William, I think the OOF area on the left side displays this rather creatively.

I'll stick my neck out with a critique on the harsh side, in the spirit of a PoW discussion, and with absolute respect for Anis and his photography.

The photo was introduced as PoW with this comment: "Chosen because something simple seen everyday was made into an interesting visual treat." Fair enough, but the photo and comment was more reminiscent of an introductory photography class and any more said would seem superfluous.

There are infinite ways to shoot a park bench whether pre-planned or stumbled upon; the result reflects the way a photographer intends to communicate what he saw. Whether the exercise was successful depends on whether a viewer develops an emotion beyond merely seeing a picture of a park bench, and the degree of felt-emotion will reflect a photographer's skill in his artistic expression.

Here are a few park bench photos from our fellow members fitting the intro description but expressed differently:
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=533635
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=115896
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=10449410
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8587792
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=774591
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6649180

I must agree wholeheartedly with Michael. There is no doubt that, at least one aim of every photographer is to transform "something simple seen everyday . . . into an interesting visual treat."

Bench attracts photographers. I think that the time passing is frozen in unused bench which was used, and will be used again. The bench chosen for this particular POW lacks this feature and the photo is rather empty.

Lech: I get the feeling that Anis is accomplished enough as a photographer after taking a quick look at his portfolio. That said, I am confident he would have shot this photograph either with at least one person on or near the bench if it were his intent to address the passage of time. In this instance, I view the image strictly as an exercise in contrast and form.

Michael Chang ,here is another one for your collection...;-))

Pnina, I'm not sure why you posted the photo you did. Can you elaborate in some critical way, as Michael did when he posted his examples. Michael's examples, though I don't like them all, seem all to have a draw, some sort of photographic interest. In a couple of them, the use of perspective or juxtaposition gives them personality. Several of them are intimate, even when shot from a distance, often because of a sense of atmosphere, mood, or presence. I don't see any of them as snapshots. Though I felt the POTW read to me like a technical experiment, that's actually something to recommend it. A little like a musician practicing scales, necessary and with its own sense of purpose.

Fred,I agreed with Michael's remarks that there are many ways to shoot benches, some were just tests or snaps and some were intentionaly photographed ( like this one, and I have another one with my swedish friends seating on this bench).

I don't see this POW more than a test ( maybe? with all dew respect to the photographer) but not an art (IMO), so instead writing my feeling about this POW,and the introduction of the elves,and also because again not an active member at the net ( and I know we agreed not to agree about this point ..;-))

So instead wrting all this ( repeating other comments ) and your question that needed an answer, I joined Michael seris of benches.... (with a touch of humor as well...)

I don't know if my reasons will answer your question,but those are my feeling. And as I wrote before I'm following the POW , but will participate when there is more interest,some by active members that can participate as well, (not always nessesary , I know) but will add another element to a discussions ... Well, it is already too long an answer...;-))

POTW? Seriously?

I'd suggest probably quite serious: it fits the POTW Forum's Criteria (my bold for emphasis).

WW

REF: the POTW Forum Front Page

Nice bokeh, lovely curve. I take these shots all the time - not sure it is worthy of lengthy discussion though or particular singling out.