S A M U R A I

I felt this image deserved a strange title. I would love to know what you think about this image and / or the title.

 

Other feedback is also appreciated!

Wow dave this one is kind of strange/weird/interesting. With all that going on it's gotta be good. Right?

It's a quite strange image. the "different kind of..." and that's why it caught my eye immediately. Cheers

I took a quick look through the rest of your portfolio, and unfortunately I have to say that this one seems much weaker to me than the rest (which is *much* more interesting to me thematically). Most or your portraits seem to be engaged with your subject in some way, or to capture them in interesting poses. This one seems to somehow miss both boats.

 

I think that I have two underlying issues with this particular photo:

 

1. It's a very unflattering pose for the subject -- the squat is causing the muscles of her legs to bulge and it (honestly) is making me feel like she really needs to go to the bathroom. Of course, not all portraiture has to flatter the subject, but this one just seems particularly ungenerous.

 

2. The focus doesn't feel quite right to me -- it seems like the autofocus picked her knees and elbows so her face is actually slightly blurry (for me this is most obvious on her nose and around her eyes when contrasted with the razor-sharp focus around the knees).

 

I guess that I would put this in with the beer/crotch photos -- most of your work is so obviously well thought out and rather clever that I don't quite understand how these ones have made it in to your portfolio. They just don't hold up to scrutiny in the same way. As I said, I find most of your photos either thought-provoking or humourous(or both) and this just doesn't seem to be either.

 

HTH

.... and yet, artistically speaking, this is quite good.

I agree with John. This is a beautiful scuptural study that draws me into the frame. I would like to see it in B&W with some contrast POP. I will not take the liberty of fooling around with it myself.

 

Bravo.

 

-Owen

David, it's like she's squatting in the loo and still able to pose with the beautiful blue drapes. Super skin tones and lighting. Kudos to you for originalty!

Scoota,

"strange/weird/interesting" and "it's gotta be good. Right?"

 

I would agree with most of your first quote. As for your second quote, I certainly hope so but I have to be honest and say I wasn't so sure with this one. Thanks.

 

Adrian,

Thanks! I think your comment enhances what Scoota said above.

 

Jon,

Where to start? Your comment is very detailed and I am not entirely sure this image deserves it. Having said that, I do appreciate it. To your points.

 

The pose is unflattering and because of this I felt the image was 'interesting.' You have remarked to this effect.

 

As to the focus, you may or not be right. I can't remember if I used autofocus or not. I would agree that the camera does often get the focus 'wrong.' The problem with using manual focus on this camera, is the focusing screen is too vague. Having said all that, I don't think the focus is too far out to ruin the image.

 

You are right, I do like to take humorous and / or thought provoking shots. However, it is sometimes nice to try something different. How about simple art for arts sake.

 

Thanks very much for your comments.

 

John,

Your short comment means so much. I was aware of the artistic merit of this pictue but was unsure how well it would be received because of the pose. Thanks.

 

Owen, Very kind words indeed. When one master of the nude gives me positive feedback, I am happy. When 2 masters of the nude do it I am in heaven. Thanks Owen.

 

Alec, Thanks. In all honesty, the suggestion of the loo did not enter my head until reading the comments here. Thank you for such a positive comment.

 

Thank you all!

this is absolutely great to me. it's a photo about photography. she's all naked but there's nothing sexual about it while the setting suggests it should. this photo is mocking the whole nude art IMO. I see a nude model confused and depressed, not knowing where in her body to show to the camera and what pose to offer to be considered 'original' or even 'beautiful'. my friend, this is a magnificent and historical shot!

Thanks for stopping by and giving me your opinion!

I don't want to be rude...but I honestly don't know where others get off saying this this is a good photo.

I could go into my own technical criticisms...but I don't feel that is even necessary at this point. What is necessary is the fact that you need to learn to objectively self filter. I.E. know when a piece should not be put up on a forum as a representation of your work.

I will add this, the expression of confusion on the model's matches much of what I feel when looking at this. 

If you don't want to be rude, don't be. Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean others don't. You obviously have a very inflated sense of your own importance. Please, next time you see something you don't like, move on. Oh... and try posting some of your own work so we can see how fantastic you are. You obviously have a lot to offer. (I doubt!)