Friendship

Very nice composition. All major lines lead to either the light in the sky or to the couple. Good use of rule of thirds. I also like the somber lighting. The exposure is well done.

This image is literally dark, but not what I would expect for dark and moody. How about dark and moody emotions?

Anyway, I would rather see this image with more midtones, but the light range may be too large to effectivly capture without blowing the highlights or muddying the darker tones.

I'm feeling unusually honest right now and I have to say that I don't think this shot fits the theme at all. Darkness? Neither the image, nor the message hinted at by the image's title speaks of Darkness to me.

Visually speaking, I would think it more the opposite, that the light coming out from behind the clouds would indicate, uh, lightness, maybe.

Emotionally, I guess I'm feeling pretty good about this, which is to say that it's not a bad shot.

Technically I have misgivings with regard to the light. I think it was too extreme for the exposure latitude of the film. Take a look at what's coming from behind the clouds: It's sooo, soooo bright. Any more exposure and there'd be no color. (Is there any color now?) On the other extreme, see how the boat begins to blend into the darkness of the background? Any less exposure and you'd begin to miss the boat entirely. So, being the genius that I am, I would say the exposure was right for the film (to Baldur's credit) but still not optimum for the scene. Perhaps if the sun were a little more obscured then the range of light would have been less and would have fit the latitude of the film. It would follow that the camera exposure would have been longer in time, but it would have captured a more expressive range of tones. Does anyone else think that's true?

Editorially, I don't see how the boat ties in the theme of the title, Friendship. Seems to me that cutting the boat out altogether (cloning the remnants)and running vertically with what's left would have been a clearer and quicker expression of friendship, and a stronger image compositionally. As it is, I'm left wondering how to connect the powerful silhouette of the boat with the theme of Friendship. Sure, I can imagine a story behind the picture, but I don't see a strong connection between Friendship and what looks like a Viking vessel. I feel a weakness in this respect with regard to the overall presentation of this shot. I wonder if I'm the only one that sees this?

Nevertheless the image is perfectly sufficient and carries a nice feeling.

Finally, it seems pretty bold to be asking for other photos that would fit the darkness theme. Aren't comments of that ilk normally zapped?

Baldur did not submit this image to be included in an exhibit on

the theme of darkness. It's also unlikely he went out looking for

'friendship' shots. I'm guessing he went out to shoot the boat

and these two people walked into the light . . . . ."click!" If you

wait for the light to change and give you a better contrast range,

then the couple is probably gone. The 'rule' of an odd number of

elements is broken here, so relating the couple to the boat in

some way seems unavoidable. . . . and problematic if you're

inclined to look for major statements in your images.

This was [reworded by moderator] submitted as "Darkness" and I responded to it because they invited me to.

Also, It's posted with the title so I responded to that, too. No extra charge.

Now, while we're talking about what else could be darker, how about this fine example from Hannah Cowpe:

And, also that one, by Todd McDonald:

ok, last one for now.

that last one was by Phil Morris, former POWser and all 'round nice guy, basically.

This is the kind of image i would put up in my bedroom. Its so relaxing and

captures a pure essence of romanticism. In fact, being a romantic myself i

would've perhaps captioned the photograph as "together" or "love", if you

imagine being one of the figures it is the kind of place one dreams of being on

a first date. Colour is fabulous, a real mood exposed. Composition & DOF is

excellent. all the elements are here, would love to see more of your work

 

Claire, 23

In response to Don's comments, I have to disagree. I think there is definitely dynamic in the picture - the sun is setting and the two friends are walking and talking. Even the longboat, which is a sculpture, seems to be in motion, ready to crawl in from the shore. So, I think there is a lot of motion captured in this "static" picture.

 

To me, this picture captures a brief moment in time - a sunset in Reykjavik - perfectly. When I look at this photo, I feel as if I am there. I can hear the friends chatting in a language completely foreign to me, but I can also tell they are speaking in friendship. I can see the light fading away in the distance as the sun sets. I can feel the temperature fall as the cold, dark night sets in. I can smell the crisp, fresh sea air.

 

Photos can "work" in many different ways. Some punch you in the face with a subject you can't avoid, can't ignore. Some show us concepts or ideas we may never have thought or imagined and make us think. And some simply take us to other places. I think this is one of those pictures that bring us there and allow us to share an experience.

 

Baldur, excellent photo! As you can see, it has definitely spoken to me. I think it captures the moment perfectly. Initially, I didn't find much to comment on in this photo, but after some more examination, I find it works on several levels to explore the theme of friendship. Technically, I can't find anything that can be improved. Bravo!

Nice sax, Ms. Manning.

"..relating the couple to the boat in some way seems unavoidable." --Carl Root.

It's unavoidabile because they're in the same frame and by virtue of their cohabitation within this confined space they are forcing a comparison. Placing them within the same boundary is to state that they are related. Not much trouble there, I can see a relationship, but the title, right or wrong, ties the knot and forces the comparison along a certain route. My opinion is that the knot tied by the title is a weak one.

And for some really, amazing, superbly dark work, take a look at some of the stuff in Piotr Kowalik's folder where you will find some really outstanding work, too much to post here.

And for some really, amazing, superbly dark work, take a look at some of the stuff in Piotr Kowalik's folder where you will find some really outstanding work, too much to post here.

Check this one out from Piotr Kowalik. Extremely dark.

Your pic made me think maybe it's time to stop buying film: only collecting cameras is better for me. Great shot, Baldur - hope we'll see others from you

only one name comes to mind.. Rene Asmussen

Moderator comment: Please keep in mind that when images are nominated the elves are specifically asked to use a wide latitude with the theme when picking from somewhere between 5 and 9 images. Then, one of those are chosen by vote - as the image of the choices that might be a good choice for "dicussion". As to policy of using other images to illustrate "another" image that fits "your" intrepretation of darkness - that is welcome on the POW forum.

Hey-Doug, I'm in the dark about your references being that their unfound. Specifically, none of the urls work. Thank you for trying to show some examples of your point though.

I kind of agree with you as far as what the theme of the picture (the subject) is.... (two friends walking along a beach holding hands) does not really strike one as "dark", but I guess it really is in the eye of the viewer too. What they think of as dark, and of course, the elves. Maybe one could think of the subject of the viking ship as dark as to some people that may have been a dark period in history.,...

but, doug - i'm not sure i know what you're asking for though. any darker and you'd have a picture of a black wall. Or if you want dark as in subject matter...? well. just go take a look at Rik's portfolio... doesn't get much darker then that.

so, maybe i'm rambling on and not making sense.. sorry.. i do feel though- that as far as a "darkness" theme- if we take that literally, i don't think that ( while it's a great picture) it really fits.

Excellent choice for the POW theme. I really don't understand the point of view that this is not a good choice for it. The color is framed by the sweeping shore of darkness. The people's presence is detected for one reason, darkness. That intricate artistic boat shows wonderful patterns, but is made up of only one thing, darkness. Photography literally means painting with light, but the light is not always the subject. In this case the subject appears to me quite literally to be darkness. Most of the linked photos were of subjects in light surrounded by darkness. I would counter that it is they that are not quite suitable for the theme(though as with this image they are all very good).

Interesting discussion on the "theme" which i wish to remain neutral. I do like to add two cents on "suggestion for improvement". The silloutte of this boat now lies about 2/3 cross the horizon, I wonder whether by taking a lower angle shot would raise the entire silloute and making the image more impactful ?

It occurs to me now why this does not epitomize darkness: it represents a view toward the light, even if the light is fading. Perhaps a view INTO the darkness might convey the theme better.

Or perhaps the idea of darkness could imply the unknown, and the photo could beckon or pull one into the metaphorical darkness of the unknown. In such a case, the literal darkness would be less important than the idea of darkness in a variety of possible metaphorical senses: the unknown, the threatening, the evil, etc.

 

Maybe this theme was not such a bad idea for discussion after all. . . .

Erin Grasshopper Rice

 

DANIEL SON (daughter), all you have to do is copy Dougs links and paste it unto a word document. Once in this document, delete all the unrelated words and letters. Once the link is cleaned, copy it and paste it unto the URL address window and hit enter. You should be able to see the folders in the link provided by Doug.

 

Example: this is one of Dougs links as it was presented.

 

(This one is a s dark as sin. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1174298 -- 599 x 605 photo)

Check this one out from Piotr Kowalik. Extremely dark.

 

 

This is the way it should be once you get all the bugs out.

 

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1174298

Baldur,

I love your work! I've been watching the pictures you have taken ever since I start coming to photo.net. Loved the "Dream" picture with the forgotten jeep in it. Keep up the good work and congratulations on being selected for "Picture of the Week."

-Assad

exceptional image. combines dark mood and bright spirit. one more fine photo by Mr. Birgis.