Man and Sun

This is the accompanying piece to my "Woman as Moon" photo.

Critiques appreciated.

For comparison:

/photodb/photo?photo_id=17484985&size=md

You've created a nice little galaxy out of bathroom fixtures and man is appropriately almost like a ghost or afterthought in that galaxy. We occupy our little corners but we are not the center of the universe, and it's good to see that pictured. What's nice here is that there are two ghosts of the man, one a reflection of the other, and yet both have the feel of reflection or at least transparency. The sink . . . I get a little hung up on it. The droplets on the shower doors act as scrim.

The vapor of life.

Fred, thanks for your thoughts. As to the sink- "hung up on it"?...as in a crop would be better? I have looked at it again with that in mind and my trusty mat corner in hand. I think that indeed losing the sink might be a better presentation. Just clarifying if that's what you meant.

Thanks again.

Amy

Ha! That's the thing. I kind of meant it the way I said it. Hadn't thought about what I'd do differently. Figured if it had any ring to you, you'd come up with something. I'm not sure about the cropping idea, because I kind of like the "length" of the photo and the man. Feels like it wants that tall orientation. So what else could work? And, honestly, I'm not sure something else will . . .

One thing I tried that worked but changed it a bit is a lighting filter that highlights the guy's head a little more and drops off as we go down so the sink gets less attention. But then the guy's face becomes a little more prominent, which changes things. I like it that way, but it may bring the guy into more focus than you had wanted.

In any case, I'd play around with it as currently framed . . . depending on your inclination toward post processing of course.

It works well with the sink, uncropped.  It adds to the sense of place and depth, and to the illusion that the figure is a ghost.  The sink is the most substantial, solid element in the photo.  From a utilitarian perspective it grounds the entire image so the rest seems more ethereal in comparison.

It is indeed a fitting companion piece to your Woman as Moon photograph.

I agree with Lex.  I think the sink leads me into the image and then the "men" emerge.  It also offers a place for the eye to rest before examining the rest of the image.  I might consider toning down the bright light at the top and the upper right just a bit.  I normally don't like brightness at a top corner, but in this case, it works for me.  I think this is a brilliant capture.

Fred, Lex, and Lynne:

Thank you all so much for your input... the sink stays.

 I had considered trying a graduated filter as a possible solution. The other thing I'd like to do is work on making the tones between the two photos a little closer, though this one is much softer than Woman as Moon, so I'm not sure if it will tie them together as much as I hope. I'm learning as I go with post processing, it's a good challenge to tackle.

Funnily enough, I hadn't thought of the reflections in "ghostly" terms; more as man in the face of the sun. It's always nice to have new eyes look at a piece. Thanks!

Amy

There are some interesting allusions to the Blake paintings "The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed (in/with the) Sun", and related imagery.  The lamp fixture recalls the serpentine figure in the paintings.

From that perspective the man's figure takes on an ominous quality, recalling the Francis Dolarhyde character in the Thomas Harris novel Red Dragon (and early movie version Manhunter), which describes Dolarhyde's  obsession with the Blake paintings and his efforts to become the godlike Great Red Dragon, hovering over his victims.  Here, perhaps, he's merely rehearsing for his next performance.

But this adds another resonance with the Woman as Moon photograph as a companion piece, the style of which recalls The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait by van Eyck.  The seemingly mundane details, clearly seen, juxtaposed against the misted mirrors, offer an interesting resonance with the Man and Sun photo.

Adding to the eerie resonance, the Dolarhyde serial killer in the Harris novel uses mirrors, breaking them into pieces to fit into his victims' eyes to see himself reflected.

I do think the two photos belong together and don't need to match in terms of editing styles.  The allusions to these themes are enough to tie them together.

Wow, Lex. This has been an interesting foray into art history. I both read the book and saw the Red Dragon movie when it came out some years ago, but I never would've drawn the correlation here. Thanks for this interesting perspective on my photos (even if a bit disconcerting). I will read more about both the Blake and van Eyck paintings as time permits (if only my employer would pay me to do so....[sigh]).

Amy

Hi Amy.  I can't really compete with Fred G or Lex but will try anyway.  I agree with Lex and others that the sink should stay and when comparing with Woman as Moon, the sink is essential because both in both compositions the fixtures are the most concrete part of the image (i.e. Lex's comment about sense of place).  I think it is the same bathroom (right?).  In both images, the subject (person) is a mystery but this image seems more brooding or ominous to me.  The subject in Woman as Moon seems more peaceful.  I also think the subject here is more obscured because this image is really two reflections; the tile (and sun) is being reflected by the glass and the rest of the image (including the image in the mirror) is seen through this reflection and water drops (right?).  The bottom line is that I think it is a well seen and executed image and I think they are good companions.  Cool.  Dana...

Thank you Dana. It also occurred to me that the sink is in both photos and that does contribute as a connecting feature to assist with the pairing. Yes, this is the same bathroom. Thanks for sharing your thoughts of this one. I always appreciate your input.

Amy

I don't particularly like this one, Amy, maybe because I do like your Woman as Moon and I cannot imagine them as a pair. Too many differencies between the two I think. If I had to single something out I'd say the man's figure is intrusive (it's even doubled) against a presence so discreet in the other one. Sorry, I'm not the artist so I think I am a little intrusive here too :-)

Thanks for your input, Roberto. I appreciate any honest critique that it coming from a helpful intent.

I agree there are lots of differences between the two photos. I think that ultimately I'm going to work on a few adjustments and print them both and put them physically side by side.  I hope they will work as a pair visually as well as on the more philosophical level, but there's really no way to be sure until I try it.

Thanks for looking and sharing your thoughts.

Amy

i prefer the woman as moon as its rich and textured and moody i find the lighting above the mans head too harsh for my liking but there is a mystique to it however.

Thanks for the feedback, Stephanie. I'm going to play around with this one a bit more in Light Room and see if I can make some improvements. 

Thanks for looking.

Amy

I like this one very much Amy. I really don't see it as a companion piece to the Woman on Moon photo just for the reason there is a different feeling in each. Woman on Moon seems to be more about offering a glimpse into the woman's life and environment whereas this one seems more ethereal, perhaps "ghostly". I like the cropping here, my only nit would be the bright globe-light (small mirror?) to the right of the mirror as I find it distracts from man's barely there presence. I know we all have our own reasons for including aspects to our images but I'm wondering if this might work better without that bright light. Then again, I don't know your reason for its inclusion and I am not the photographer. Personal choice I guess. I really like the water-drops and the golden light. Very well done! Thank you for sharing. :)

Trisha, thank you so much for your feedback on this photo. The small mirror is what I envision as the [setting] "Sun", so, for me it is integral to the piece. I think slightly darkening down the sconce lights might make that more distinct, though. I have some more playing to do with this one. I like it myself, but it's still not quite "there".

Thanks again for looking and sharing your thoughts.

Amy

I realized the title after I wrote my comment but titles can be changed... Then again, it's your work and your vision and it's a nice one at that! :)

:---) !!!

Glad you like it, Drew.Thanks for looking in. I'm glad you're back posting again!

Amy