Boy (Swimmer) Charlton

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It's interesting that many of your pictures (or at least the ones I checked) seem to gather a lot of ratings but very little comment. I kind of have the field all to myself. I'm not sure people really know how to deal with/categorize your images, they're just enough "off" that although people react I don't think they know why. The black border at the bottom of this photo is a good example. It is an intrinsic part of the picture but why this is so, god only knows, and without it the picture would be diminished in my estimation. So, st least now you have one comment on this, and a good, long one to boot. Regards, Jack

I guess I am a bit off-beat in some ways. I am largely motivated to avoid prettying photo's up, eg: cropping essential elements even if they might seem ugly at first. The fact some of my pics get ratings but no comments could indicate one of several things, none of which I know for sure. I took another photo at this pool but because it was poorly rated and received some very negative criticism (as opposed to constructive criticism) I took it down as I couldn't cope with having a less-than-average overall rating, poor me ;-) But for those of you (like Jack) who seem to appreciate something different I have attached it below...

About the attached photo. Is this a straight photo or have you done some composite work on PS? I mean other than tone, sharpening, minor cosmetic improvements and the like. If it's a natural photo it's quite good. Also, if it's a straight photo, it's already off-beat enough and you should play it absolutely straight with the border. Otherwise it just confuses people. Anyway, good shot. I like it. Regards, Jack

Jack, the attached is basically a "straight" photo, not a composite (although I have cloned out the guys distracting back pack), also the wall took on a purplish tone from the original greyer tone after adjusting levels/contrast, but you're right about the border.

OK, Brian, now the next thing is I can't quite figure out the picture. I'm not speaking technically or philosophically, I mean I can't understand the relationships between the man, the wall/deck and the water. It appears that what I'm looking at is physically impossible. Maybe you can explain your vantage point. Thanks, Jack

Jack, it is literally looking through a hole in the wall at the Boy Charlton Pool (Woollomoloo Sydney City).The foreground is of course the wall (with a window/hole in it) and the guy is on a deckchair beside the pool, behind him is the ocean... ah ha !

Thanks, I thought that might be it.