Vase, leaf, bowl 15

One of many 35mm b&w studies of same subject from around 10 years ago.

After half a dozen or so prints of this negative, I'm still not sure

whether miniature format was suited to this type of study. Anonymous

critiques welcomed and encouraged (per recent changes to critique system).

I will not use the anonymous possibility because I respect what members are writing to me and what I write to them. Anonymity is not an option for me. I will do my best (and always try to do) to evaluate as I feel and think, write, and will stand  behind . The photographer can agree with me or not , but...well you understand.
I will not refer to the ways you used for your experiments , only to the results I see. I did not see the prints only what I see here.
 
I like the composition here more than in  n 7, and I will explain.
For me the leaf texture and beauty is the main attraction of composition, in N7 the dark vase is a very strong competition to the delicate leaf form, and even though I understand the logic behind the setting ,it does not work for me.

This one on the other hand is much better composed and lighted Imo . I like the delicate  leaf texture spread in the FG with its "tail" winding/leading my eye into the BG. The vase and bowl in the BG area  contrast  in form  but not competing with the leaf which is the main beautiful star and are a BG decor that emphasis the leaf.  The dark "path" created by their staged points,  is a very nice result.


If you continue to experiment, I would have  tried the same setting with the leaf a tiny bit more diagonally placed ( to the L).There is a nice equilibrium /contrast /unity in this one that I like.
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Thanks very much, Pnina.  You helped to clarify something that has eluded me over the years when trying to decide what to do with this series of still lifes.  I'd concentrated so much on light and shadow, exposure and technical issues that I'd overlooked the arrangement of the three elements and composition.  I had tended to be dissatisfied with this particular photo only because of the shallow depth of field - in retrospect it seemed like a poor decision on my part.  But, again, I hadn't really put enough care into the arrangement and composition.  Thanks!

Thanks for your answer, I'm glad it helped. Sometimes another pair of eyes is a good solution;-))

hi Lex,, my preference of the 2. maybe because of the detail and its simplicity or the way the stem has reached out and found its way to hook on to something,,,, take care samme

Thanks, Samme, that appeals to me as well.  But it's been so long since I took this photo I honestly don't remember whether I deliberately arranged the elements to have the leaf stem hood around the vase, or if it was just a happy accident (to quote Bob Ross).  I probably just nudged the three elements around until it felt right.

Your photography stile is very interesting for me! Best wishes in 2011, Valentyn

Lex, I agree with Pnina; I much prefer this one. The bowl and vase are, I feel, uninteresting (read: plain) enough to be mere background objects, framing, supplying context, etc. I'm glad you didn't crop 'em out entirely, as I think they are needed, just less than in no. 7. I really enjoy the DOF: the way the stem winds back away and around and loses focus adds depth and a dash of mystery. Yep, I like it.

Thanks, Don. Sometimes when I look back on the prints from this session, I wonder whether I might have preferred results from using a camera or lens with tilt/shift movements to get everything in focus. And other times I prefer the shallower DOF on some prints.

 

I still have that same clay pot and I might even have the vase. I'd need to find another leaf like that, but fortunately they're fairly common here during dry winters. Maybe I'll reshoot this composition again some day.  It's sort of comparable to rewriting the same haiku, trying to get just the right subtlety and nuance of expression.

Elegant...idea&result!

Pnina's analysis expresses very well what I see as well.

I particularly love the fact that on the left hand side the veins are dark over light, while on the right hand side they're almost reversed. Very exquisite. As she remarked, the disappearing petiole is also exquisite. :-)

Thanks, Michael. The critiques on this photo have motivated me to finally reconsider these prints. Recently I dug out various 11x14 fiber prints from this series of photos I made several years ago but never did anything with. I still have mixed feelings about the relative softness of the lower left corner. But it's possible the right matting and framing may help with the balance of contrast, sharp and soft areas and communicate the visual effect you described so well. Much appreciated.

It is high time to change your trio on this page....;-)) Best wishes!