A KIND OF THREAT

Very nice b/w-work, Carlos!

Beautiful painterly lines and tones in a cinematographic setting. A very effective image with mysterious underlying message. In scenes like this, and there have been others in the past, you truly add a new dimension to photography and portraiture, bravo. 

"Beautiful painterly lines and tones in a cinematographic setting"says John Peri.  The problem for me is that this is not part of a series, a frame from a movie but a stand- alone image---and , in my opinion, it does not stand alone very well.  I tried shadow/highlights to see more into the image but that did not add to the effect---which, for me, is vague not mysterious.  I am interested in Mr. Peri's comments because in his work there is a reason for every color, every shade, every intrigue and that makes almost every one of his images, regardless of category, and immensely pleasurable viewing experience.  Not so much here.  The light on the hair curl is nice but nothing else is comprehendible to me. This may just be the difference in emotional rather than visual response to this image by two different viewers.

Mr Webster, there are several ways to understand the photography.

For example, one way is the construction of an image through the technical perfection, where the aesthetics in itself is the goal to achieve beyond any other hidden intention. Everything should be visible, perfectly focused, clearly framed and composed in three thirds, clean, harmonious, respectful of rules. So, those are the full colored photos of beautiful blossoming flowers, sunsets, landscapes, kids, weddings, etc. Of course it is a very respectable philosophy, and I am not pejorative.

Other way is to prioritize the meaning, exposing the human nature under a different light, the emotional strength pushing the academic purity to a second place, avoiding to be excessively explicit or detailed with stuffs not related with the core.

There are much more ways to understand photography, for sure, but those two examples are enough to explain my point of view. Mr Webster, I try to work following the lines of the last concept, struggling against my lack of skills and poor knowledge.

Please, excuse me, but I don't like your version of my photo, because you  makes visible other distracting things without any interest or relation with the main subject, then the observer wanders around the shapes, the background, tonality, etc, looking for an explanation. There is not such explanation in there. On the opposite, I need the darkness as a column supporting my concept of "threat", because darkness is threatening, always.

I understand what John Peri is trying to say, unexplainable feelings outcrops when he looks at the picture. What is that? Is it good, or bad? Did he liked it, or not? Who knows, but something is moved. For me, this is the sense of the photography.

Thank you very much for your time and effort with my humble photo and forgive me for this long an boring comment.

No sincere dialogue is ever boring.  I don't like the lighter version I did, either.  Your image touched John Peri and it obviously meant something to you to the extent that you felt you did not need to change it.  Art can be personal and it can be appreciated by a few who also like dark, moody subject matter.  The success of an image is whether or not it achieved the purpose for which it was made.  That is all that really matters. 

Great shot! Best regards, Ilkka

Mr. Webster, thanks a lot for your kind comments.

Ikka, I know about your "eye" for photography, and I am very flattered by your words. Thanks my friend.

very beautiful pictures I really like a greeting  ciao.. from Milan Italy ... alex

Interesting accent with light!

Alessio

Thank you for your time, I am glad you like it. Best regards.

Svetlana

This comment coming from a fine artist as you are is the best prize for me. Thanks a lot!