For Vincent O.

Hi Michael,

 

reading your own name in a title is a peculiar experience; flattering but at the same time slightly uncomfortable. I will try to comment on this image the way I normally do, but I can't help bear in mind that it has my name in its title. The image, that is blurry in a non-photographical way, seems to depict a cabin in a woodland environment, surrounded by plants and trees. The blurriness of the image seems a post-processing choice rather than a shortcoming of the photo and therefore a conscious choice. So far the iconography; my interpretation is that the remote location suggested in this photo refers to my nature photography, in which I'm open to any natural subject to photograph. I'd like to hear if this is what you had in mind. Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent, I had absolutely nothing in mind when I hoped you would see this image and review it. And I didn't foresee, nor did I attempt to consider, whether your name on the image would make you uncomfortable. Quite honestly, there are a few photographers whom I follow on PN and whose work I value highly (you included), and other than heaping praise when I comment on their images, which may come across as insincere, I came up with this alternative method. Henceforth, if I have an inclination to do this again in your case, I will ask you first. As to the image itself - - - - When I was doing my post work on this image, one of my goals was selectively to blur certain areas and sharpen others. Initially, I decreased the sharpness of the image as a whole. Then, I sharpened the shack and the pile of refuse in front of it, while I blurred everything else. Perhaps I should have added more blur to empahsize the two sharpened areas, since I was concerned that mere sharpening of them would result in sharpening artifacts. Aside from these considerations, my techniques in connection with this photo was based solely on comments I made about your techniques creating the recent b&w abstract of a treetrunk. I guess I was hoping that the tonality, the sharpness, and the texture would carry it. - - My best always, michael

Hi Michael,

 

I'm quite happy with the things you say about this picture; I wasn't feeling uncomfortable by your using my name in a title or the comments at all. I'm simply not used to getting praise in this way, as I make photos that aren't exactly to the general public's taste. I thank you sincerely for your strong involvement in my photography and your very much appreciated effort to express that. Kind regards, Vincent