THE LYNCHING

An angry crowd of mannequins stormed the Coldwater Creek store,

demanding vigilante justice for two of their own who had become too

human. The results were not pretty, but their lust for blood had been

sated at least for one day.

A great image David...really like the subject and composition...you might find I am a picky guy but I think you went a bit far highlighting the dark areas...I am not sure but I guess it would be interesting to leave those areas a bit darker...just my personal view...I like the image anyway...

Thanks. I'm much obliged. This is not going to win many hearts or minds, but I was in the mood for some experimentation. You may be right about the dark areas. I went back and forth with the shadows on this.

Well I really like people experimenting and I would be the last one to discourage that...just I feel the noise is increasing too much (but I accept it might be my opinion only).....

I like the image a lot. Great perspective and, as usual, an ironic statement and one that's fun also. You do certainly have a way of seeing the world and your eye is capable of catching and conveying oddball states of visual connection and context that is wonderful and creative. I know you've expressed that you feel as if you're just there to catch it, but I think your creativity lies in your perception, which is boundless in its play with your imagination. You re-create these scenes with angle and perspective because you see the potential in what others might find to be ordinary.

 

I agree with Laurent. Bringing out dark areas in post processing is tricky. I'm all for getting shadowy areas to have as much detail as possible in certain situations, but going too far in post starts looking funky, digital, and I think sometimes the shadows themselves are visually more appealing than the resulting effect.

Thanks. I'm wondering if you guys are addressing the film grain I deliberately added in your comments about the shadows. ??

I'm talking most specifically about the dress cutout in the lower left-hand corner and the wall beside it having a bit of an unnatural look. As for the grain, see the discussion on Jeff Long's recent Seurat homage. What makes it seem "digital" to me is how universally applied and constant it is. Acutal film grain has subtle and not-so-subtle shifts in density and saturation, especially from lighter to darker areas. To me, photographic grain often feels like it's coming from within the image. It feels as if the grain actually comprises the image. Digital grain often feels like it is superimposed or attached onto the image.

What an eye David....a "tragic"/comic scene....I wonder how many people would have passed in that location and would not see the irony.I like the composition. I will not talk about the grain....;-))

Dave, this is a fun, creative picture. Upscale lynchings are a bit unusual, I would think. I like it.

wonderful. i like the way you see the world and point out to us our human quirks!

Dave: As usual, your unusual perspective has led to an intriguing, mordantly witty image. A yuppie-boutique lynching! Well seen, amigo, and a most interesting treatment, particulalry when viewed larger. Warm regards, Joe

Well, you know how those mannequins are. Sometimes they act almost as outrageously as humans. Sometimes. Thanks

Well, being a bit on the quirky side myself, makes it a little easier. Sanity would do great damage to my psyche. Good to hear from you.

Thanks. I'd trade all the dumb quirky images I've done for just one of your classic portraits. Take care.

Answering your question about the noise/grain (I am not a specialist at all)....just to say I like the image, it's a strong composition with powerful element and colors....but the noise is not adding mood, for me it makes the viewer think and question about it rather than on the image itself which has lots of potential...probably as Fred says because it's looks as an artefact of digital technology rather than natural like in BW grainy moody image we all know....again only my personal view (never pretended to be general).....

I'm showing you the image right out of the camera (low res, of course).

Of course it's only my opinion but I think it is naturaly (i.e. without the grain) a very good image...nothing much to do to improve it...but then I admit I am moving toward less and less processing, just a personal choice....one year ago I was playing much more with PS...but I was mostly unsatisfied with the artificial look of the pictures (I haven't shown these attempt anyway)...now I really seek more spontaneous capture and less processing and stick to it....but I deeply respect processing works, it's a choice and taste after all...so thanks for showing the original, really nice....

getting bloodthirsty, aren't ya? It's well captured - it communicates your caption and comments well. Dude, those are she-clothes; were you getting some

cute bra for yourself? Funny pic. Cheers, Micheal

 

With perhaps a little lightning of the clothes and sky, so they stand out a tad, I much prefer the original.

Well, I guess I'm disappointed that my efforts to make an image better failed in your eyes, but I'm also greatly appreciative of your honesty and willingness to express yourselves and help me in my artistic efforts. Thanks guys.

Hey, that was pretty rude. How did you know I dress up in women's clothes? LOL. Actually, I was with the wife on a shopping tour. I hate shopping. I was bored to tears, but since my camera was hanging around my neck, I decided I had to make the best of the situation. They wouldn't let me into the women's dressing rooms, so this is the best I could do. Cheers

Of course, I understand the perspective you're coming from. Another way to look at it would be to be proud that your camera and shooting skills as well as your talent at visualization are as good as they are and may not need the kind of touching up in post processing that a lot of others do. Half full or half empty?

I like what you've done. I'm not bothered by the grain, and I love the saturated clothes. It's an unreal situation, deserving of an unreal treatment. To me, it looks more graphic (for lack of a better word) than digitized.

 

 

When shopping with the Mrs., I often seek comfort visualizing myself swinging from the rafters. Usually, I find a chair and count ceiling tiles or stare at the carpet lint. And God help us all if she asks me for an opinion. "Turquoise or fuschia." "Um, the fuschia?" "Exactly what I thought--I'm getting the turquoise."

i can't believe your wives make you go shopping with them! i hate to have my husband shop with me...he wants to tell me what to buy.

A belated but heartfelt thanks.