winter lilies

thanks for thoughts or suggestions.

a unique BW....

strong contrast indeed

wonderfully abstract! no suggestions. just keep going in the direction you are. this is fantastic.

Rachel...you've been a member for almost as long as I have, so by now I'm sure you've developed a sense of what type of shot will get high ratings and which won't. As soon as I saw this one I knew that your ratings wouldn't be high...and before even looking to see if my assumption was correct, I was already thinking about what a shame it is that some of the best photographs on PN...get the lowest ratings. Too often, pretty and predictable is valued... and creativity and innovation is "punished" or ignored. All that being said... I think it's a wonderful piece of art. It is an image I'd expect to see had Jackson Pollock chosen photography over painting. I can only imagine how beautiful this would be when printed. As our friend Linda said, just keep going in this direction! A final thought: by no means am I assuming that you put an inordinate amount of value on ratings. I chose to address the low ratings not only as a reassurance to you that your work has a value that is far above what those numbers reflect... but to send a message to any/all who would happen to read my comments, that we all need to take the time to closely gaze into a photograph, and not rifle through a picture a second, handing out ratings without serious thought and deliberation. Some pictures have immediate impact. Some need to marinate in our minds and hearts. best to you! and...I'm putting you on my list of "interesting persons". I'd like to follow your progress. Now...I must see the rest of your work!

this is a nice piece. like john perceptively said, this has a dripping paint jackson pollock feel, tho obviously with far greater contrast. joan miro without the color. very cool. cheers.

What is completely bizarre, is that even before I read all of the comments appended here I was thinking of Jackson Pollack! I know your style prety well; I've been a fan from the 'git-go; and you always come at things in such a refreshing and completely unique fashion. This is absolutely no exception, Rachel! The dichotomy that I struggle with is that I know that my own work tends to the pedantic, while my eye and brain are drawn to the imagination and artistic talents of photographic artists like you. It truly is a conundrum; how the heck do I move myself to the next level, i.e., I don't just want to be 'another' landscape photographer. Anyway, enough about me.

 

I am thrilled to hear that you are moving out here. You will love San Diego, and southern California. There are so many wonderful locations that will play to your talents and interests. You want deserts, I can point you in the right direction. You want oak foothills, I can point you in the right direction. You want coastal environs, we've got 'em. [The only thing we fight with out here; is the lack of clouds...] Glad to have you out here, Rachel. Keep me posted!

 

Cheers! Chris

Hi Rachel. I am trying to using my creativity to capture shots like this. It is truly a work of art that you have captured so well. congrats! Hope to see more soon. ~Krish~

thanks so much to everyone for the kind comments.

Yes, I do know better than to worry too much about ratings. Art can be appreciated on so many levels, and I know better than to think that I can even begin to understand them all. Public rating systems like this one tend to emphasize a particular type or level of beauty - which is not at all to say that the type/level is inferior to others. Some beauty is instantly striking, some requires time, attention, and thought - some requires specialized training or a specific perspective. Some of my images that have been rated poorly here have been chosen by museum curators...many that have been rated very well have been completely ignored by the 'pros'. But then, I'm often baffled about what jurors or curators see in certain photographs myself...! I'm sure that like any good writer, artists know that their audience is as important as their art - since this is purely a hobby for me, I am my own audience, and then it's a matter of curiosity to see who else the work appeals to.

So it's true, I didn't really expect this photo to rate well - but I do love to hear thoughts on it. Thanks again to those who shared.

 

I certainly like it, it reminds me of a Japanese print. Must be annoying when everyone says ones picture reminds them of something else. As you say we all do this for our personal pleasure and if it evokes a response in others that's a bonus, regards

as long as *all* my pictures don't remind *everyone* of the *same* thing I'm happy. :-)

Unique, a class in itself. You are an artist.

Very artistic!Great work,Rachel.Interesting portfolio!

Thanks for your feedback.

Cheers, Jim

Have not dropped by your work in awhile. I like this one. Very good composition that works well with the white background.