Waiting for You

Waiting in the cool of the morning, sitting on the cold stone and

stepping earth barefoot that makes me feel more alive, as part of my

surroundings. Rapt in the colours of dawn, lost in the landscape and

in my thoughts ... tied to your love, with my favorite guitar, it does not

sound, silent, quiet like me. I know you're coming ... I'm waiting for

you!

It is a nice idea. To tell a story of waiting for love in a ruined place, like Juliet in the crypt waiting for her Romeo, is a romantic notion. The elements are there, a beautiful woman, adobe ruins, a picture of the Virgin and a guitar. For me, they just don't seem to work. The guitar is far too prominent, it battles for attention with the girl. It is also far too new looking, and there is that annoying halo. It is placed too carefully, as if someone was making sure it did not get scratched. Wait..wait..perhaps it is her father's guitar. She has stolen it for her lover and they will run away together to join a Mariachi band. Too bad, she'll always play second fiddle to the haloed guitar.

Dear Walter, I always like to read reviews but those ones that really help me with my work and by reading yours I've learned nothing, you just enjoyed yourself ruining a serious work without any convincing arguments.

First of all , I play classical spanish guitar and all these guitars have a layer of lacquer, very shining . That is natural to the instrument. You've not discovered me a halo that I have not seen it before, I saw it! and I decided to leave there because spanish guitars shine , they're covered with lacquer. I wanted a natural composition. I'm convinced that a typical surface of a classical guitar, that's a halo... it cannot ruin my composition.

Furthermore , I understand that you have only heard Mariachi ... but this is not a " banjo ".... with this instrument we can play classical pieces like: Robert de Visée, Carulli, Concierto de Aranjuez - maestro Rodrigo, etc. etc.

Of course, you've seen three elements in my work: guitar, women and painting ( an Andalusian gypsy, it's not a virgin!, please look more carefully) . They're arranged in " jumping flea " , the sight goes looking from one to another, jumping, that's why you've seen the last one, for you a virgin.

I do not need to "steal" guitars, I have 3 classic ones , 1 electric one and a lute, for all the photos that I want to make and an ukelele.

I'm not second fiddle to anyone, my guitar is my friend, it goes side by side with me.

I 'm Laura Marco and I think I shine with my own light!.

You do not know the feelings that underlie this work, or what , or who are expected to come... This work is full of sentiments, I can assure you because the mind of this woman is mine.

I ask please, write constructive criticism!. In order to learn, not to overturn any work or feelings.

I can do what you do, but I don't like doing it ;)

Best regards, Laura Marco

On my monitor, there appears to be a very unnatural highlight on the edge of the guitar, best seen when enlarged. It is difficult in viewing the composition to determine the subject. Is it the guitar or the woman? I think the woman is more interesting than the guitar, but because of the composition, they compete for attention. 

You are telling a story here. There is a mystery. Why is this woman here in the cold, along with a guitar. I think that you could use the guitar to help tell the story. Use it to amplify the woman, not stand as a counter subject. It could be resting against her side with the neck across her legs. There needs to be a relationship between the woman and the guitar. This has the potential to be a wonderfully romantic image.

It was certainly not by intention to make light of a wonderful instrument. The halo comment was meant to be technical. The intention was not to be offensive.

Dear Walter, yes... now I've seen the halo on the right edge, you referred to. Not on the surface of the guitar, but on the right edge; yes.

I appreciate this detail, it's technical and I can rectify it, thank you!. It helps me that detail, I didn't see it. I thought you were referring to the reflection on the surface of the guitar, on the lacquer. It was a misunderstanding.

Then, this photo is part of a series, there're other very similar photos, with the guitar on her lap, playing in classical position etc ... well at the end I chose this one because I saw it was beautiful.

I know the intention was not to offend. Thank you anyway. Glad for your technical comment and I'll rectify it.

Thank you very much, there's no halo at last :)  Best seen when enlarged. Kindest regards, Laura M.

Since you have written the story in the request for critique you left me only to say that you have well described the scene depicted on the picture, dear Laura!

I may add only that the mood is rather dark, that some uncertainty flows in the air, as she is in a suspense or maybe the coming of the person expected isn't certain, or as she's waiting knowing the loved one will never come, something like that!

That was my impression

Best regards, Laura

PDE

Dear Pierre, yes... that is the mood... when you say: "she's waiting knowing the loved one will never come..."

Or "knowing what she yearns for, she will never get"... I feel there's sadness in the scene.

Su Dawen said to me: "I get in a sad mood when I see your images" (not all images, but the most), so it must be true...

Thanks for your precious visit and sensitive comment.

You made my day! Kindest regards, Laura M.