"burned and rusted"

Just a wonderful photo. The topography of the paint/rust really provides for almost unlimited exploration on the part of the viewer - yet the whole thing comes off as organized as well. Ironically, I just did a rust shot the other day that obviously isn't in the same league as this one. I found myself having to introduce external elements to make it interesting, but you managed to take the elements you were given and make them work. Great job!

Personally, I enjoy photos with interesting texture and color. I'd suggest losing the title and shrinking the black border. It's too bold for an image like this. Let the photo speak for itself. Now, on to your portfolio...

This is a great photo and makes me want to go out and look for old rusted junk.

Look for rusted junk. Look for flaking paint. Practice a lot so that when you find a subject that adds the blue oxidation and the bubbling from the fire, then you'll be ready.

 

Two things I like about this one. 1) the rusted area isn't too dark. (I've found that to be a challenge, with ot without diffused light. 2) You expect areas of color and lots of texture, but in this one, you also get some nice lines that are well placed in the composition.

This leaps out to you - the color hits you first with that pleasing orangey glow. Then the textures sink in and keep your interest. I'd love to hang this on my wall. Abstracts really appeal to me, especially when they are something created by nature or the elements. Congratulations on POW - well deserved, imo.

Congratulations Max on both a marvellously unique image and POW.

at first glance seeing it in the small window I thought it was a microscopic image of some organism, when I opened it up I was pleasantly surprised to see it for what it was 'treasured junk' I like the way that the reds are fused together and the intricate details of the darkened rusted areas appear to be an Ariel photograph of some alien landscape.

Makes me warm inside with the fact of knowing that art is all around us just waiting to be noticed.

 

Regards

 

Hugh

Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies

 

Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I

On one hand I am encouraged that so many of you think of this photograph as unique and

inspiring. on the other hand I swore under my breath if I had to stare at yet another

technically perfect picture of peeling paint or old rusted thingys surface, I would voice my

opinion. I just I don't see what others see in this picture of blistered paint.

 

I saw an exhibit at the University of Phoenix last year of arial photographs of surface

mining and landfills. It was a "one photographer exhibit" which filled the room with frame

after frame of arial views of what appeared to me as records of technically perfect

photographs of uninspiring subjects. While I knew the goal was to show some aspect of

the mines geometry as an abstract statement I did not linger at any one photo long

enough to wonder. There was simply no attraction. I had admiration for the work put into

the project which left an uneasy feeling because I knew I was "supposed to admire the

concept" and find beauty in the forms, but did not.

 

That is why I say that I am encouraged to read so many find this photograph inspiring.

Perhaps I have been looking at these things all wrong. Maybe someone could explain what

it is they admire about this subject, peeling paint, dried dead burt wood, rusted iron with

paint peeling, concrete peeling with rusted signs, paint peeling from concrete, old barn

siding with paint peeling from it, old weathered wood with paint peeling, Doors with old

paint on them, rusted sides of peeling painted thingys, paint peeling from old paint

peeling from old paint peeling...sorry.

I too try to find "the photograph" or a worthwhile subject for photography in my own backyard. I think almost half of my shots on this sight were shot in my own backyard. Congratulations on your find and "technically" this photo of yours in my opinion is both art worthy, photographically well composed and shot, but also aesthetically pleasing and certainly original. 7's on both!

First: Way to go Max on a POW. Now onto Troy's comment.

 

Troy, I think one of the inspiring qualities is that this is an around the corner / in my backyard moment. It reminds me, and it seems others to, that great images don't require much more than just really seeing. I spend a great deal of time just 'seeing'. Hopefully I have a camera to help me grab some of those sights. Then, I'll spend darkroom/processing time to get the image to be what I saw...if I'm successful. Max has a gift for seeing things. I don't always like his work but I like how he sees things. This is a great example and a good selection for POW for bringing out a discussion.

 

Oh yeah, I also like the abstract quality and I don't like the big mat and writing on it.

This is a fine photograph; not unlike the encaustic technique in painting. I have to admit the simplicity of the subject would have rendered it invisible to me. Regards.

Well Max, ...looks like it's all been said, and I agree with the best of it. (So now give us the real story: ...you tripped the shutter accidently while fiddling with the camera on a wedding photo assignment?) Regardless - "photos + graphis" at it's best. A beautiful canvas, from a painter's point of view.

It's about looking at things without naming them. It's an abstract.

 

It's as if photographers existed in two worlds. Those who record a recognizable time and place, and those who record a composition of elements. Notice how many people looking at this POW want to think of it as time and place. You can, but that's not its' purpose. It's a harmonious composition of shapes, lines, texture, and color. You can 'see' something else if you're so inclined, but even that isn't necessary.

 

It exists in this world only because the photographer composed it that way, hoping you would see the beauty and harmony that he saw which is not usually an integral part of the elements being photographed.

 

I saw the aerial exhibit and enjoyed it very much.

This is a beautful photo.. the colors, the texture, the clarity. My eye tends to be drawn to

the upper right corner, which I sometimes see as glare and sometimes not. But when I try

blocking out that section of the picture, I don't like it as much... it adds "context" in which

to appreciate the rest of the frame.

 

Great work.

Is that Emmet Gowin's Changing the Earth exhibit?

This image is sensuous because of its three-dimensional components and its smoothly curved lines in the two-dimensional background. Its coloration is warm and attractive. The high level of detail is intriguing and compels the viewer to look.

 

This abstraction provides an effect reminiscent of an arial/Space-based photograph covering an enormous region such as China and SE Asia on a near-cloudless day. Other interpretations of this wonderful abstraction could also be made. Some artists have chosen to combine their abstractions with pen-and-ink drawings to give form to the interpretation. I'm not saying that this should be treated that way but it is another way to interpret an abstraction and I can't help but wonder what might be gained that way.

 

This is a beautiful piece of work and I congratulate the artist on the achievement. On a personal note, I wish I had the vision to see this as well as he did.

 

Arnold Cherdak

Very beautiful abstract photography...normally not my cup of tea but this one is striking. congrats. Geert

Max,

 

Very well done. I hope to learn from your eye on how to see things in a different light and take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. -N

Is it only me that sees butterfly shapes in this photo? An image of butterflies on a wall keeps coming into my mind. Maybe it reminds me of these images of Monarch butterflies roosting in Goleta, CA (http://www.ellwoodcoast.org/explore_new/explore.html).

 

Great image and great colours. I like most the line of bubbles which seem to rise upwards on the right side of the image... agree with the comments about shedding the borders. Have a good day, Badri.

An artist is one who elevates an ordinary subject to an extraordinary beautiful creation. Max has that rare capacity and insight.

I think it is simply out of the ordinary........old things dont die.....they come back as art.....

Great work..........

Great series you got going there, Max. Congrats. Nevertheless I feel that a few of your other ones should've gotten the honor, particularly the "Chrome Rainbow." Well, I guess one can't go to far wrong with the selection. ^_^

I don't know what to say, (not my thing, not that interesting) sorry, I am lost at what beauty is seen in rust and old paint. I can't find a good story in it. Their is nothing in the picture to lead your thinking, it's predictable and depressing. Good lighting. I would be curious how the histogram reads in the orginal? Bill @ Blackstar Arts...

Reminds me of Aaron Siskind's abstract work...

Thank you everyone. I welcome all your comments and observations on this image.

 

Max Zappa.