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Hmmm... I don't know about this one.

A) it does not seem entirly sharp. I can see it might be difficult to get everything sharp, but I wuold assume at least the face should be sharp. Use a higher F-stop to fix that.

B) I do not find the composition particularly pleasing. I would got for something less symmertical. Also, almost half of the shot is pitch black - a bit more balance could be found there too I think.

Secondly, it's not strictly speaking a reflection - its a shadow. And even the shadow of the girl is barely recognisable. So for for theme-fit this one earns a so-so.'

The idea is not bad, but I think I can find better executions. I attach an example (not shot for this assigment, otherwise I would have posted it).

Just my 2 cts of course - feel free to disagree.

Tom

At first sight I thought it was a reflection in a mirror of a snake house, with the model squatting to look in. The reflective surface looks so reflective that I couldn't imagine it to be water. However, on closer examination I now think it IS a well. And for me it IS a reflection - after all we can see all her features, not just the shadow/outline...

 

Aesthetically I think the photo suffers from being taken under really bright conditions - extreme contrast between the dark well walls and the sun lit skin. To do better PT would have to sacrifice one at the expense of the other or (the best solution) shoot this when it's not so bright.

 

I think more could have been made of the model's nudity, to add interest to the photo. Perhaps have her sitting sideways on the edge of the well? Another idea : drop a pebble in to create ripples (not too much though)?

Assuming that this actually is as Dominique speculates a well, I agree with her in that something needs to be done to let the viewer know that this isn't just a straight shot from the depths of some hole up at a semi-naked model. As it is, the reflection is so clear that it isn't evident that it is in fact a reflection and yet (I believe) is the cause of the lack of detail. As has been suggested, less contrast between the bright sunny spots and the shadows in the depths may offer some detail from within the well and tell the story better.

I for one can hardly believe this is a reflection. Never seen a reflection so still. If it is, PT, accpet my apologies for the mistake in my first post on this shot.

 

- Tom

I've looked at this image several times now, started to commment, and decided to wait. I find this shot--since I'm assuming it's a "literal" reflection--to be very disorienting. Technically, the nude woman is very, very sharp. Aesthetically, however, the photo isn't all that interesting for the reasons listed earlier--way too much black, poor lighting, dark face, etc. If PT can shoot this again, it might be worth the effort--try a longer lens, cropping this horizontally, and perhaps using a reflector to get some light on the model's face. Of course, I like Dominique's call for a little more skin, but that may not be what PT desires. A thought crossed my mind: is this supposed to be allegorical . . . a modern day Narcissus?

Thank you all for your thoughts and comments. I took several pictures on that location, and this is a crop from one of the pics. I have added the original.

 

I never thought to Narciss but the belief of seeing the choosen one (your fate) in the well during the night of summer solstice (does not make too much sens, does it?)

 

PT is thinking of going back and make some more photos, hopefully more successfull.

 

regards,

PT

While not an "oh, ah, 7/7" I definitely like the original better.

it loks like a great location for a shot and a good idea but somehow seems to fail as is. there seem to be too many contradictions and a lack of intent which gives it the look of ... dare i say ...the s word?

 

the colour is too much of a contrast with the well and the colour itself is very kodachrome ... dominique is probably right re the time of taking. maybe some water patterns on the side of the well ... nice idea but not quite there yet imho

FWIW I like the original better too - more sense of reflection in that one.

 

Tom

I looked at this photo several times but couldn't see the "reflection". Now, looking closer, I see spots or something near the woman's thigh. Since it's obviously a reflection, it's a good fit to the theme. But for some reason, the photo doesn't do anything for me. But then, sometimes just the practice of shooting is reason enough for the shot.

Good points - 1)A reflection so themefit is a definite yes. 2)The model looks nice. 3)Exposure has been handled well for such a contrasty scene.

 

Bad points - 1)Very contrasty scene. 2)Lots of wasted space at the bottome of the image IMO. 3)The subject escapes from the top of the image (i wonder if framing this was difficult in order to achieve the reflection?).

 

I could go on but overall i feel this is a nice try but could be much better if attempted again.

 

Cheers