PandaMania

Thanks, Andrew. In fact, I agree with you (although I'm not so sure about "sweet" or "talented"...) ... and am always open to honest criticisms as well as those who just won't rate an image high.

 

I might add that I feel that there are two angles on any image I post. The first angle is what you just described. People who are strangers to my portfolio, and who are giving me a spot reaction to one particular image. The second angle is from people who have followed my work for some time, including several folks who have followed every single image since I joined photo.net. I suppose that those folks are responding and reacting to my growth as a photographer (I hope I'm growing as a photographer!!) I appreciate both groups, as both help me to continue growing and learning.

 

Thank you again!!

Above, I read a reminder to rate the work and not the photographer, which is always important to help us all grow as photographers.

Hey Lou Ann- looks like this is quite a discussion. I question the validity of "Is this photography?" You took the photos of each Panda. Especially since a lot of the top rated "Photography" on here is little more than "clip art". So what, who cares? To each his own. Kind of Andy Worholish! I think!

 

Sorry it took me so long, I had to think about this one. Honestly, I'm not fond of psychedelic stuff, didn't like it in the 60-70's (and I was there! Oh yea!) But purely from a PS stand point, I can appreciate the work you've done on this one. I still can't cut and paste very well, it's hard & tedious work!

 

As far as color, if I remember my art classes and color explanations, opposite pure colors when placed together vibrate and that was one of the points of psychedelica. Makes your eyes twitch. For example: Pure yellow next to pure violet causes a feeling of vibration,(I believe I created a yellow/violet twitching art project for high school art in 1971) much like pure green & pure red or pure blue & pure orange. So, with this in mind, I would "pump up the volume" on the background colors. I would not add division lines. This would, in my opinion, add constraints. Not what vibrant, free thinking colors need or want, especially in the 60-70's. (How appalling:))

 

I love the way you made each gradient seem to emanate from the head, very 60-70's. I have noted with a giggle, the return of bell-bottom pants and platform shoes, so your rendition most definitely should appeal to your students. I can see them using this happily for book covers, calendars, poster art, etc! It would sell! Both hip & trendy plus ecologically correct.

 

You have obviously put a great deal of thought into the placement of the Panda's (body language & positioning) and then the placement of the background colors in relationship to themselves. I like that.

 

So, my favorite Panda? The far lower left, "Egyptian Panda!", hands down. Love those sandals! They're groovy? I think I had a pair of those once! I most definitely was not a "Marsha Brady" type, closer to the "Flower Child" type :) Head band, beads and all! So nice to see you doing your own thing!:)

I love it. I'm sure my little niece would love it as a poster on her wall.

I think your sweet and talented :)

Interesting submission Lou Ann! I found myself responding much more to the revision as submitted by Kim Slonaker. Liked that separation in Black between each Panda. I think the background really works as a poster piece but again with the separations. I think the lighting is rather flat and primarily dead-on which doesn't do much to emphasize or transform your subjects. I had an idea that you might try? Try placing all the pandas inside of a smaller box or case (with a lid) like a jewelry box, and using a single broad light (diffusion) from the side showing the bears just all crowding around for a peek out of the box. Have the lid partially covering them.

As with the discussion of ratings on mountain scenes; anything you can do to give us an unusual look or perspective on the ordinairy would be cause for better ratings when it comes to originality and subsequently better aesthetic ratings. But then again, unfortunately I wouldn't put much stock in photo critique from most people on this site. Selective listening works! Interesting beginning, but make it a springboard. That's my two-cents.

Philip - your thoughts are always appreciated. Just one quick thing to point out to you, though. These pandas are life-size statues that were scattered throughout the city. Here's an example with the natural background, a staircase to a museum behind it. Does this give you a better sense of scale? Wish I could fit one of these guys inside a jewelry box for lighting effects, but the lighting was what it was ... and on the overcast day when I took these images, I thought it was the best that summertime in DC had to offer for photographing statues. :-)

Wow! Bring me my dark glasses! Very bright and bold stuff. I have the same sort of reaction to it as Jayme - psychedelia never was my thing either. I could see this being a 12" vinyl record cover (do you remember them?) and definitely a poster for a child's room.

 

I don't think the ratings here are going to be very significant as you made the image with a specific audience in mind and not to fit in neatly to PN. The photo / graphic argument is a bit of a red herring imo as most of the PN images are manipulated to one degree or other. It is just a matter of the degree of manipulation.

 

What I notice though is the image has been viewed by a lot of people - over 40,000 now. It has drawn the crowds. So in its own terms and for its intended audience I reckon a very successful project!

 

Oh - and I would not bother with the lines.

Blown away by the original. I think these are terrific in their own right. Just as you found each of them in front of a particular architectural edifice with its own designs and elements. The count of folks viewing this image is indeed phenomenal! I have refrained from rating this choosing solely to comment and include myself somewhat in the discussion that has been generated. But I appreciate the time and effort you took to assemble the final image you presented to us. At the very least you have succeeded in generating a lot of discussion.

Thanks for your attention to this, Philip! I always appreciate your comments. I love generating discussion. :-) It's how I learn best!!

I love this one

well done my friend

.Looked at all your work and very impressed