the foreigner

First I just want to say thanks for selecting my photo for photo of the week. Im very proud, but surprised and feel totally out of my league.

I dont know exactly what to say to some of the negative critique revolving around the photo being contrived, derivative, and being something an art student would compose.

Im far below the level of an art student. Im an amateur with a 3.2 mp compact camera and a profound fascination of photoshop. Im not hung up on equipment/technique or loyalty towards photography as a documentary profession. My aim is not to produce the most realistic photos possible, as my taste is more in the direction of surrealism than naturalism.

So I have to send a special thanks to Nick Formoso for expressing his/mine opinion so clearly :-)

Merry christmas

This is a very interesting, intriguing image. It has a surreal feel

to it. I'm just wondering whether or not it is a composite. The

man appears to be lit almost directly from his front, which would

be about 90 degrees from the axis of the sun coming through the

forest.

 

Cheers

 

Yeung-Seu Yoon

Lots of questions come into my mind when looking at this photograph. Who is this person?

So who is he? Few things annoy me more than miscaptioned photos in galleries. I guess if you're an "artist" you can get away with this kind of thing. Do you know who he is - or were you just out walking one day and came across this guy, snapped the pic, but never found out who he was and what he was doing? Does the picture lose it's mystery if you caption it correctly? What does the picture mean to you? To me, it means that someone isn't captioning their photos. Nice pic though.

No really sure if I care who the man is. I see a wonderful picture of nature with someone in the way. Sorry for the not so positive outlook but I never understand why people want to take something so wonderful and turn it into a chance to do something else. I am a nature person at heart and like simple compositions.

Well, in spite of this image's detractors, I find it enjoyable. It's not perfect, but it's enjoyable. As for the way the man is walking, I've scurried about in this fashion when the calling of nature has been extremely intense, and this is what comes to mind here:

 

Nature calls, and sometimes NATURE CALLS. You go when you have to. The clothing, to me, symbolizes civilization, which makes his placement in the wilderness incongruent. Therefore, for me, what I see is a man engaged in some civil ritual, a wedding, or something, but who is called by nature to release his pent up chemistry, and so is rushing to the nearest bathroom, or tree, to relieve himself, and as he goes, rushing down the halls of a church or stately manor, nature catches up to him.

Doug -- I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that scenerio... I'm sure it is not intended but that is how I interpreted this image..

It has to do with the hand placement. I looks like he is zipping up after doing the necessary. No offense intended to the photographer.. Forgive me.. ;-)

Congrats Lars on your POW. Well deserved!!

Actually, this is a picture of The Count on his way to get a needed vitamin-hemoglobin supplement.

 

I like the incongruity of it all. The two original photos were very well-done, especially the one with the light coming down through the forest.

 

One does get the sense that here is a man on a mission, and the light of the day is fading fast. He must hurry. Perhaps he is the undertaker of a very well-heeled client. I don't know, but I do know that I like it.

> The elf's question: Who is this person? Why is he dressed-up like this, in the forest? Is he looking for something, or someone? Lots of questions and not many answers. What do you think?

 

I think there could be one simple answer: the person was like that because the photographer wanted so - mystery demysitified. As for why the photographer wanted so, that question beats me, maybe he was just out of his mind. True mystery creations are in the hands of devine beings, I believe, not that of a mundane photographer. So this image works for me like drops of water on the back of a duck.

"I think there could be one simple answer: the person was like that because the photographer wanted so - mystery demysitified."

No. Mystery shut down. Answering a question is quite different: as different as programming is from shutting down a computer.

"As for why the photographer wanted so, that question beats me, maybe he was just out of his mind."

Sure, if the viewer doesn't understand, clearly it means the photographer must be stupid. :-)

Perhaps the pre-POW explanation the photographer gave of his own picture would help to understand... Care to try ? That's what symbols are meant for (and *not* to be faithful to reality). I'd love to give it a try too, but POW comments must remain short and my word count is expiring - sorry. :-)

P.S: Lars, congrats. Creative, well executed, interesting, and beautiful.

A highly imaginative and original creation by one of the most sincere and admirable young artists on the site. IMO Congratulations Lars! The stories you awake in my mind are strange and wonderful. Someone mentioned Fellini and I agree that your imagination is in that league. I think that had André Kertész posted the 1919 photo of his brother as a "Scherzo" (a naked man-faun silhouette dancing against the sky) that people here would have found it contrived. I think that as a viewer we must allow the willing suspention of disbelief in order to be carried away by the artists imagination but if you are willing to do that the journey is rewarding. This is a wonderful photograph and I always look forward to seeing your latest thought-provoking creations. I wish you and your family the warmest and most love-filled Christmas. Esp the little boy in the gas mask. I wish a merry Christmas to all the members of this site. Especially the Scrooge in us all.

Well, the photographer's folder is aptly called "hallucinations", I take that as euphemism for "out of mind", not to mean stupid or anything. I guess the elf's questions were raised in the plane of reality, in quest of that raison d'etre. And the reality is plain and simple: in this image, there doesn't exist an external one.

 

So the game boils down to that of a mind. One can asks for the internal raison d'etre concerning the photographer, but I won't even begin the adventure with the limited body of exhibited works from the photographer. Psychoanalysis takes much more materials, I'm no expert in the field either. So let's just play the game like any other silly games. Someone has mentioned about medicine, how about he was looking for a bunch of lost keys? Would that be a nice try? By the way, the medicine reference readily reminds me a picture of Eugene Smith, so it seems not more ingenious than my key concept (pun intended). But anyhow, why take a game so seriously? I just couldn't fake my sense of wonder, that's all I'm trying to say.

YES, BUTLERS do hold hands like that when THEY are walking.

i think the image would be much stronger with out the man photoshopped into the image. i like the contrast of the forest and the rays of light but the man seems pretty arbitrary to the photograph. sure you want to flex your photoshop muscles and some people will applaud you for it....but you can see there are a few people who wont. what that means to you...probably nothing. keep doing what you're doing. like they say...opinions are like a-holes everyone's got one.

OK. It's settled then. He's a butler.

 

That's the tricky part about setups and 'sandwiches'. Every bit of

light, every shadow, every gesture . . . . . . . The masters thought

out every minute detail in their paintings, yet some of you seem to

think that it is we, the viewers, who are responsible for seeing

something in the image, and if we're confused or if things don't add

up, then it's our fault, not the photographer's for not making

everything more congruent. Somehow we're replacing the photographer's

abilities to convey something coherent with your imagination and your

desire to make sense of this. . .

well... i love the pic... it definetly brings questions, and i really couldnt care less wether they are answered. I like to think, imagine, and wonder... i could make up many stories in my head to explain this picture, all of wich would be pretty entertaining to me.

 

anyways, good job lars. i personally think the person makes the image alot better.

Hey Lars, luck or not you have captured an image to be proud of. It's great to have an inspirational sucess shot like this at an early point of ones career of photography. It'll give you the energy you will need to carry you through if you want to continue to a sucessful career.

 

 

This is something that is reminiscent of a time of my life when my friends would do just about anything to be "INCONGRUOUS" with the norms of society. Basically rebels, part of the original Monkey Wrench Gang. Anything for a laugh, anything to be different.

So, when we learned that some friends were taking a 15 day river trip in the canyon we planned to surprise them at Hance rapids with a full course steak dinner. It wasn't enough to bring in our backpacks fix'ns for a fillet mignon dinner for those folks but we thought it only proper to bring the waiter uniforms from the at El Tovar, a 4 star restaurant we worked at on the rim. Included in the supplies were similar tuxedos to Lars for each of us, the china, silver, crystal, all so the meal could be properly served. We knew roughly when the boats would roll into the small shore camp at Hance thanks to some hired spys at Phantom Ranch where all trips stop for water. So, we stood prepared. The Woman that traveled with us stood on a prominent rock with a bottle of chilled Dom Perignon in her hand with a white napkin properly draped over her forearm (warming quickly as it was 117 degrees F in the inner gorge that day). Well, when the orsmen turned the bend and we came into view in our black and white tux uniforms holding court at Hance beach there were people in the boat that were convinced that the sun has been way too hot that day and the illusions had begun, a dry, parched death was close by.

 

And until my van was stolen and burned in Tennesse I was always enchanted with the photos from that night. We had great fun being INCONGRUOUS. I highly recommend it in fact. Lars, I am sure you agree. Enjoy these experiences and don't be afriad to present them here at good ol' Photonet. Love to see 'em. We're all ready and willing to tell you all about 'em. For free!! All the best to you and family & friends for the holidays. Brad

Not only is it good to be incongruous but it's just fine to be contrived. As we say in NY fugetaboudit. There, that's what I ment all along. Anyway Lars, great job on the POW. And as you point out all done with a 3. megapixel camera. Nicely composed shot, great lighting through the trees, A tad dark, maybe adjust brightness and contrast in PS. Otherwise, as the elves said, "good enough for me, it's a POW!" Good work, Brad

To Lars first, congratulations, you do have a style. And to everybody, enjoy a happy year end!

I also subcribe to the remark of Nick Formoso (who seems BTW to have joined of PNet for just saying it!! but it was worth it...):" This picture has obviously struck an emotional cord in a number of viewers, and has failed to do so in some. But that's the way art works. An artist cannot please everybody and shouldn't even try. An artist - whether an art "student" or professional - lives to create art, in his or her own subjective, personal manner. Who are we to even dare define and constrict art to be one thing and not another? That's re-said and in mind... lets comment/critic/learn a bit (that why we are all here isnt it?)

Nothing much to say about the various PS works which lead to a kind of fairy result, strengthen by the relative anachronism of the man's clothes and the place he found himself evolving... it is working quite well for me.

From the begining I have a double and [apparently] totally opposite interpretations of this picture and story behind...

On one hand I find it very romantic and poetic, the call of the forest (the sun rays), Chateaubriant, Lamartine are you there, admirer of the nature, ... with a option, still romantic, for some duellist meeting between to gentlemen of honour.

On the other hand (if I may say so), the guy's gesture apparently raising his flies, turns it into the the call of the wee ;-) ..., and then easy to imagine this men making a last-adjustment-halt on his way to a dressy party in a little countryside manor,...

Funny enough both interepretation seems valid and are backed by the other picture where we can also imagine the same gentleman either contemplating the nature in a very romantic way or either relieving himself whilst finding inspiration in this forest... actually, at the second thought, both can work at the very same time!! LOL...

The other picture I was referring to as a validation of my double interpretation was this one

This is just a great photograph. I like the "old-time" theme of a bygone era, and the lighting, tonality, and composition is top-notch.

I hate to say this because it blows my interpretation apart, but both of the butler's hands appear to be clasped one over the other, somewhat like a soccer player protecting the jewels against a penalty kick. The small size deceives.

Lars - Great piece of work. Let me, for those of you who are just starting out in photography and or have been unjustly criticizing others work in their spare time point out a few things then I will comment on your great work. There are three types of photographers in this world. The beginner photog, the technical photog, and last but not least, the Artist. The beginner needs no explanation, most are that. The technical, is that which can photograph someone or something with very good becuase of their ability to read a book and come out with a photo that is good technically. Then there is the Artist Photog who has made it to the stage that goes beyond any other photog. Photgraphing a child in a chair smiling, well we all can do that, but let your creative side come out in every aspect, not just on the set, not just in whatever darkroom you may use but even the final presentation, are we all able to really go to the top? Kudos on getting out and creating what you did. Sorry kids, we have come to a stage in art and photography where the image is no longer interesting to us. Presentation of that image will win over just a photograph.

So, for those of you who unjustly and unfairly criticize and find Lars work not able to spark a spark in your eye, no pun intended, I say get your degree in Art and Visual Communictions like those of us who have really earned the right to criticize in a bad manner.

 

Lars- Of course, there are a thousand different things you could have done from everyones point of view. But, we did not send you out on an assignment. You created something that you wanted to voice, in your manner. The person does look to be in a real hurry by the position of his hands, feet and how his head is down. Love the contrast, the rays and the fact that you have left this photo for interpretation. You are the only one able to give this image feeling through you lens and your words. Please let us all in on it if you want. And remeber the three key essentials; Lightng , Composition, and a great subject.

 

Lawrence Van Garrett of Studio 66

This forum is not about the best photograph of the week, nor should it be. It's about this site meisters' photograph of the week, and Lars's is a terrific conversation piece of one.

 

And Lawrence, if your 3-photogs definition is correct then there are a heck of a lot of terrific photo artists out there. I know this because I have personally met many and viewed their work. To my astonishment, none that I know has posted any of their work online in sites like this, yet. But when they do they'll blow many eyes here away. And soon they will, for they must come - and they'll have PS in their tool kits. When they do we'll realize that work such as Lars's, or even Smolinski's 'Potato Panic', is nearly routine.

 

All the better that there be many artists among us real folk, the mostly hobbyists, even if our acclaim is for but Andy's 15 minutes. And, like many of these, this humble some time artist is content not to have Sondheim's gimmick - or a signature personal style, shtick or whatever - to turn a head.

Just to let the 7/7 rating catch...

 

I am visiting photo.net for over 6 years, and never spent so much time admiring someone's photo, admittedly, the peom has a lot to do with it.

Enough said. The photo deserves all the good words, and with the poem you got yourself a winning combinaiton. Well done!