Niobe

This statue of Niobe, made by the French sculptor Hippolyte Lefèbvre in the late 19th century, is relatively less notable than many other statues and structures in Arles, southern France. Yet it is a tribute to a mythological mother of fourteen children and the daughter of Tantalus (and a mother we're not sure about), features that in themselves deserve a statue. I think this angle of lighting does justice to the beauty of the statue. Your comments are very welcome.

Fine captured Niobe sculpture, Vincent! Spectacular composition. Amazing light, shadows, textures, colors ... Beautifully done, Bravo! Sincerely, Tatiana

Hi Tatiana,

Thank you for your very nice comments and appreciation! Although you cannot see the whole statue very well, I was very pleased with this light. Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent, initially I had to learn from the web about Niobe, the mourner for her lost children to get the most from this photograph. It seems most fitting that she is taking center stage. The tree's low hanging branches and trunk frame her perfectly, resulting in a viewer's eye be drawn to the statue. Yet, I also like how the background structures also are in sharp focus. While some viewers may have preferred the statue entirely engulfed in bright light, I strongly feel that the hint of highlights which accent her face are much more effective in helings to express her emotion. Congratulations on a very fine image. - - My best always, michael

Hi Michael,

 

thank you very much for your insightful comments! Niobe isn't very well known, but deserves her statue by any standard. You obviously came to the same conclusions writing your comments as I did when taking the photo: a centered composition works well here, the light on her face enhances the dynamics of the statue and the physical background should be in focus as it suits the thematic background of antiquity. Kind regards, Vincent

It' a beautiful angle of lighting and with the ruins and surroundings it has something very mysterious to it. Well done!

Hi Philip,

 

thank you for your friendly comments! I can thank the beautiful southern French light for this occasion; I just walked into it and made my photo, realizing this angle was most likely the best I could get. I passed the statue later on and the light wasn't half as good, so I could say I got lucky. Kind regards, Vincent

You have a natural affinity for the classical and the lyrical which is apparent in all your pictures. Being on Instagram is instructive because there seems to be little appetite or appreciation for that sort of photography but rather a taste for the edgy, the novel and the instant. Don't get me wrong, I like that as well and welcome it into my own photography but sometimes I think we get too narrow in our pursuits and lose an appreciation of the broader spectrum of things, For all the cutting-edginess of Instagram, I often think photographers' points of view and styles have become to a certain extent predictable and interchangeable, with one eye fixed on current photo-art trends.

Hi Jack,

 

thanks for your interesting comments! I think your evaluation of Instagram and the focus of the photographers who post their work there is largely correct, they often seem very involved indeed in what you call 'the edgy, the novel and the instant'. Like you, I don't have a problem with that, but it's simply not my cup of tea. Your description of my photographical affinity is 100 % correct and well-worded. This photo of Niobe's statue is a good example.

Very nice use of light to create a contrast that makes for a strong presence, Vincent. Wonderful colors and composition. Best regards, Paul.

Hi Paul and Dana,

 

thank you for your relevant comments! I was lucky with the light hitting the statue when I was there , it was just right. Kind regards, Vincent