WHEN KNOTTY PINE WAS OBLIGATORY

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This one! Bridges the gap between photography and painting. The tones and colors are beautifully handled and the composition has real power. Fine art without the pretentions. I rated this 6/6 only because they won't let me give it a 7/7 (later I'll amend that). That two seperate raters would give this a 3/5 is absolutely beyond me. Either I'm way off base or they have the aesthetic sensibility of swamp gas.

Thanks a lot. As far as ratings go, I'm in my "Jesus on the cross mode." Only difference is I'm trying not to give a damn. Besides, they might be right, and, ultimately, we're all dead.

 

Seriously though, I'm trying (like every Tom Dick and Harry on Pnet) to expand my repertoire a bit. I know there will be times when it doesn't work, and I'm just trying to be selective as to when to listen and when not to. Naturally, I have tremendous respect for your artistic sensibilities, so, if you genuinely think it has merit, that is enough for me. All I need from you (and expect) is honesty. Just let me know if I'm way out in left field without a glove. That's all. And it's a lot to ask.

Dave, This is a creative and lovely image. Don't worry about the ratings. Hell, amigo, I've watched some of my shots get 3/3s within five seconds of posting -- literally. Maybe they were not great shots (I thought they were good), but the funny thing was that those ratings were up before I even saw the images appear in the gallery. You gotta shrug them off and just keep doing what you want to do. And, man, you're making some fine images as you explore new areas in your work. Regards...

Don't let the 3/3s spoil your creativity David... Once again you've done a great job. As has been said before, this bridges the gap between photography and painting - very nicely done. At first sight, this image shows what's left of a wooden shed or house. But look deeper and a story unfolds, perhaps questions arise. Who were the inhabitants? How old is the structure? Etc.

 

You're a very creative photographer, capturing things that are beyond the obvious. Your images speak for themselves, some more than others, but when looking at your images, I always feel there's always a story behind them - and that's worth more than ratings ever could designate, I believe.

 

Best regards,

Frank

Thanks for the kind and encouraging comments. Actually, I've tried to steer away from talking about the ratings anymore. It's just not worth it, and if I don't want to be involved with them, it is certainly my option. By the way, I was quite interested in the fact that they apparently do have a problem. You might find this discussion interesting: http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00MYcZ

A different view of this out-building. I'm pretty sure I know which one it is and I did not even think of going up the hill to look inside of it.

This is actually the cabin where Susan's ghost sofa is located. I had to climb up on the wall and shoot down into it. I think this was possibly the original cabin, and the one with the sofa in it was added as they were able.

From shadow to fire....I like the evolution of the light/illumination from fore- (old wood) to background (dry grass) which creates some visual depth...the composition with forward guiding lines helps too...a very nice image David....

Thanks. This is one I truly do not know how I feel about. By processing it the way I did, I was trying to give it a kind of dreamy ethereal timelessness in the background, and still have the gritty reality of today in the foreground. Just an experiment, and I'm feeling my way. I appreciate the fact that many do not appreciate heavily processed images, and I have no problem with that aesthetic either.

Okay now I recognize it, thanks for the additional description. On the two times I've been here I never went into that portion of the house so I never saw this view. I don't think I ever did find a way to photograph that doorknob that was to my satisfaction...

I was really interested in the doorknob and the wire holding the door. But like you, I could not find a way to make a decent pic out of it.

This is nice! I like all the different angles and the wonderful blue/gray tones of the wood. :)

Thank you. It is nice to see a new face on my pages. Hope you will come back.

this photo needs some getting used to, at least in my case, due to the unique perspective. It definitely has to be viewed large. I like the dream-like treatment you gave it. The door has a big part in powering the image, IMV8O. Is this shot from a helicopter, or can you levitate? Good exposure. Nice work, dude. Cheers, Micheal

Just good old fashioned climbing with the fear of death predominating most everything else.

And if you'd died there you would've had good company! I like your "soft" treatment for the background and the more detail in the old cabin. I don't recall seeing you on the roof though. This is one of those images that a person needs to study to appreciate it's asthetics.

No you didn't see me because you were all wrapped up in your shooting of the haystack. Smokey Joe was with me though. Ask him.

Smokey Joe confirms your claims, but I think you "guys" just stick together.

I be heard that! Smokey knows I've got the goods on him sniffing around where he ought not be putting his nose.

He just knows there's varmits under there that need his attention. I've had to dispatch two rattler's that were right here by the big shop building lately and both times Smokey got between me and the snakes but I made him get back so he wouldn't get bit trying to defend me and a quick "chop" with the shovel did the foul deed.

Another winner, David. I really like your treatment of the background. If you allow me, the only thing to me would be that it is slightly too visible around the edges of the pine logs. But a great idea to add mood to the picture. I like your idea of an ethereal background.

Thanks a lot. I kind of had the same feeling you did, especially with the one short log at the top right. I really regretted losing that, and should of fixed it.