DARK TIMES

Somewhere in the middle of Montana

Nice, may consider editing the rope in the bottom left but that is a matter of choice.

Thanks for the comment. I did think about that rope or cable, and never really came to a definitive conclusion, so I just left it.

I had to view larger to really enjoy the beauty of this. And before I read the current comments I was going to suggest editing out the rope in the bottom left. It is the one thing that is preventing this from being a "work of art".

Thanks. I guess, being outnumbered, I shall have to get rid of that damn rope.

Yes Mr Meyer...well this is a superb snow land shot David...I just love how the gate and house seems like floating in the white/grays...the rope just attach the gate and house to the quai, cut it and they all will float away :-)...well I don't have a definitive opinion on this, I like this rope but don't ask me why...probably as it adds a kind a burlesque attaching the house to something rather than the opposite...

Actually, the rope adds a whimsical comment. It's either the air hose that keeps the whole scene inflated (not very well, judging by the barn), or it's the thread that's being pulled away from the scene and which is causing everything to unravel. That said, I think I'd like the image better without it.

Let's be honest. The main reason you like the image is because it's not in Fresno. That's the downside to this trip to Montana. It has diverted me from torturing you with images from the hell previously known as Fresno.

 

I intend to print this one out, and when I do, I shall remove the rope/cable/whatever it is, bowing to the greater artistic sensibilities of those who have spoken. Actually, thank you folks very much, as I did need the input.

oh no. keep the rope! i agree with Laurent and Barry

Thanks for offering your opinion. You guys are dragging me first one way then the other. I suppose the bottom line to all this is that it would be okay either way, and some would prefer a slight change and some would not. I suspect that it being there or not is not critical.

this is a great photo. The expanse of emptiness that is only maginified by the gray sky, and in this basically huge formlessness the definite shapes of the two corrals forming a number 8 (or a B)with the two shacks. I like the rope there. As the fence is broken there, and leaning outwards, it looks like the horses broke free and one is still pulling the rope, trying to break free. Or it could be taken as the now-fragile corrals and buildings being held in place by the line, preventing them from being blown away. Or it could be taken as a big V8 bottle being attached to the rope trying to finish the job. Really nice photo. Cheers, Micheal

Thanks again. Well, at this point we are about equally divided on that rope. I'm still convinced that it being there or not does not make a lot of difference. I do like the concept of thinking that it is like a tie-down, and what keeps the remains from just taking off into the sunset and disappearing.

It's a great shot. And leave the rope. This isn't a Christmas card, it's a real place.

Dear David.

 

Being interested in your photography and holding my eye on your portfolio I can not fail to notice the tendency of its development from straight shooting fun towards more serious pictorial imaging. The last usualy require more time and knowledge of hard- and software in use. In this respect I would like to suggest to use tripod, shooting with longer exposure times and exploration of software possibilities. The recent images do look good compositionaly but leave me with sense of unfinished, casual work.

 

As for the rope, I will remain impartial. Seen from the common sense point of view it is probablly cheaper to keep them. Regards. Ilia.

Thank you for your perceptive comments. I think what you say has a great deal of merit.

Well I guess by now you figured I was with Ilia...I feel that the rope is keeping this image from floating away, like a horse tether....Having been there when this was taken...I remember the snow being a little whiter...sort of 'Brite Times' to my memory...! Still a good shot...here is what it looks likes in the spring....WVMM

Of course you are right, since you were there, I can't lie to you. The snow was whiter, but I felt like painting this in dark tones because to me it is somber and it is a death scene. Death of dreams and hopes and aspirations. To me it's an image full of futility and failure. Sadness prevailed in my mind, and that's the way I saw the scene. And, yet there is beauty. I had hoped to convey all that. Should I seek treatment?

one more liter of V8 a day. Why would you see lost hope and dreams? The folks there might have lived great lives... Nobody lives forever, so maybe there was nobody to continue with their business. Or they had enough of that place and had dreams of other "pastures" and followed them... Is that sombre? Dave, you need a serious V8 lift. Back to the rope: there is what looks like a fence line going off to the right, in the distance. Could you see the rope as balancing the line? Cheers, Doctor of V8pathic (a complementary branch of

naturopathic) Micheal

 

The mere fact that all life ends in death, is enough to cause melancholy. But clearly these buildings and the house which stands at my back, were abandoned, and I do not believe for one moment it was because the homestead was successful. Clearly someone had dreams that were not realized. Clearly someone worked probably relentlessly to make this hardscrabble life successful. It does not appear to me that there was a successful outcome. To me, the failure of dreams and aspirations is always sad. Sorry, but I think we may be in a glass half full or half empty situation here.

 

And, yes, I have decided after wavering because of my respect for other Pnet opinions, that the rope belongs. I like your concept of the pull between the fence going off to the right and the rope, and the theory that it tethers the fence and buildings from just blowing away into nothingness. That's my final answer. The rope stays. Period. (Oh God, how will I handle the rejection when I'm told the rope ruined the picture?)

You should seek treatment only when you think the rope looks good. That is a sure sign that subconsciously you are headed for trouble.

I shall keep that in mind.

Dear Mr Mayer.

 

May I advise you not to seek treatment and stop worry about the rope as it does not make sense. As any good schreeck can tell you, the creative work is the best medicine for melancholical condition. If you can't controle the phisical, cover it mentally. Hereby I send you an image I made last summer. Please, take a look and wright a minimum 210 words essey on it describing in good language what you do expirience with it and the merrits of the image itself. Do not try to asure me that it is kinda good picture and you kinda glad I made it being so cool and ironic kinda guy. The Image depicts a cabin of Tracuit lokated in Swiss Alps at altitude of 3285m above sea level. I spent some five days there last august being cougt by strong weather. Normally this cabin used by climbers going on near peaks. It can accomodate some 120 people and fully functioning during summer season to the extend of being overcrowded. Take 6 hours to go to from nearest vilage, there is no transportation, some 1700m of altitude differense, no road. Normal time schedule: people take one day to go to cabin from the vilage, next day they climb on Bishhorn and Weisshorn of 4200m and 4500m and come back. It has seen so much rope you couldn't imagine.

 

Another think is. I am actualy interested in that mercury mine area you photographed, asked you questions but for some reason you have not had them answered yet as I see.

 

Take care...

 

Ilia

I do not recall your asking about the mercury mine. I have looked at several of the images in that series, and see no comment from you where you might have made an inquiry. So, let me know what information you would like to know, and I'll try to give it to you.

David Meyer, February 21, 2007; 10:37 P.M.

 

Ilia

Looks like you are getting beaten up pretty bad by the conventional minds on pnet. I reckon some of these folks couldn't go with Impressionism, or surealism when they came along either. Personally, I think the out of focus is just fine and find this image to have a lot of painterly qualities. It has emotion and gravitas. Two thumbs up from me.

 

Ilia Farniev, February 21, 2007; 11:13 P.M. (edit | delete)

 

Hi, David.

 

They dont beat me no nothing. I actualy have a coule of pics totaly out of focus just siting waiting for GODOT on those DOF heads like a tornado or something. Cant see no nothing there.

 

Well, jockes apart, thanks for your kind words and high raiting. I was just looking in your portfolio and discovered quite a few images I remember have seen running thorough the forum. The mercury mine fx. The mercury is the thing but can you please tell me haw it fills nearby such a place? What is growig around there? Was it a liquid mercury or salts? Do you know why we take the pictures of these kind houses? I myself have more then a couple and it bothers me kind of WHY? Regards. Ilia.

 

David I am glad you leave the rope because I think it really adds something special to it...more and more I am inclined to leave a shot as close to real as possible...of course if you shoot for a post card or publicity you have to retouch...oh and to get better rates in PN you probably may have to retouch....of course they are 1000 reason retouching that add artistic value also....but what I like in your style is some authenticity...and for me the rope belongs to it...to add confusion I would say that if you clone out the rope I would like the image also...but not better....