d_poinsett

Crisis of the veal.

Very strong composition and tone management. Numerous design element complement each other to realize a bold image. The image sapce is divided into repeating patterns of triangles and skewed rectangles. The tonal distribution within these shapes emphasize the pattern. The amorphous sky/cloud background makes the geometric shapes stand out. The manner in which the composition is arrange so that the "points" of several shapes touch other boundaries (or almost touch) is another key effect employed to advantage. This image could easily be used as a classroom example for effective use of design. Nice work.

I think there is no crime in photographing something that has been photographed many times before. In fact, I think it can serve a good purpose. It raises the bar both technically and in terms of interpretation. It can be a worthy challenge to discover something new the overly familiar.

 

In this image, I love the illusion of the metaphorical gateway in this otherworldly place and its furnace-like glow. The layers of depth create photos within photos. It stirs my imagination.

 

For informed and experienced photo viewers, it's easy to dismiss a common subject as unoriginal and unimpressive. For example, I love photos of Antelope Canyon. It is an extraodinarily beautiful place. But I've seen so many great shots that it takes a very special version now to raise my heartrate. It is said that familiarity breeds contempt and it was never truer than with photos of common subjects.

 

An appealing thing about the place, this Mesa Arch or wherever it is (and yes, I would love to go there and try my own interpretation), is that pictorially it has very strong compositional elements. The play of field and ground, framing, texture, dynamic balance, and rhythm make this image a textbook reference for photo design.

 

Unlike Antelope Canyon (and yes, I'd like to go there too), I have not seen enough versions of this image to yet be jaded by the magic of the place of the strong rendering in this work.

In many cases, this much manipulation would be considered over done but you have done a wonderful thing here. Aside from the naturally compelling features of your subject, the design choices work together very powerfully.

 

Using monotone black and white effectively directs our attention to the shapes, textures, and tones and there are plenty available. The cropping does two important things. 1) It frames the most informative part of the human face and thus engages the viewer completely. 2) It emphasizes the radiant lines that converge between the subject's eyes. This too compels attention. The dodging and burning and contast enhancements reinforce the design elements mentioned above. I'll bet there are few viewers who can pass this image without giving it a second look. Congratulations on fine work.

This is one of the most original photos I've seen here in a while. It is striking in its power. It is industrial, highly graphic, and conveys a strong mood in the monotone b&w. I love the dark silhouette of the lines, poles, birds, and streetlight against the amorphous tones created by the clouds.

 

Each photo is very well done individually but the montage of four sets it apart. I encourage you to do a series like this. You are on to something here.

 

 

This is a very well crafted photo that I would have probably not spent much time studying had the POW editor not mentioned the thing about the story. Looking back at the image, the flowers were now abstract faces with personality and expression. It's likely that I would not have seen this without being pushed a bit.

 

I cannot look at this image now without seeing these "faces" and each time I begin almost involuntarily to construct a story that explains the expressions.

 

Example story 1:

The "face" on the right looks dejected. The middle and left "faces" seem to have a more optimistic outlook and are both looking in the opposite direction from the one on the right. Why are the two optimistic and one not? What are they seeing? Are the two optimistic "faces" those of new lovers and the dejected "face" the spurned one?

 

Example story 2:

The "faces" all have an expression of wide-eyed intensity and strength. What are they looking at? Are they intrepid explorers poised on ridge, collectively searching for a new direction?

 

From the comments about this image I'm guessing that Mr. Hixon did not necessarily intend the story or "faces" or anything other than a well crafted photo. No matter. Our intuition is often two steps ahead of our intellect and that seems the case here. That Mr. Hixon was not conscious of the effect at the time takes nothing away and makes his talent no less gifted.

 

This image and the questions posed by the POW editor may have altered the way I look at photos in the future. I may be more keen to look for the kind of personification I noticed, particularly in apparently ordinary pictures. I may also be more mindful of the potential for such effects in my own work.

This is an extraordinary image with powerful emotional content and compositional elements.

The expression of intense attention and wonder in the girl's face is unmistakable and exquisitely captured. Her line of sight and outstretched arm reinforce the sense of her engagement.

 

That the subject is a girl exploring something that looks mechanical introduces a social element to the piece that will be significant to some viewers. Aside from that, the girl's playful exploration is something that any inquisitive person can relate to.

 

The composition is first rate. There is excellent dynamic balance between the round shapes of the girl's head and the mechanical object of her attention. The human face also repeats these round patterns naturally as well as the smaller objects in the apparatus. The circular shapes are complimented nicely by the implied line of vision and the outstretched arm.

 

The short DOF and light distribution keep our attention in the important elements of the photo. The soft tones keep the mood delicate.

 

Excellent work.

 

This is a wonderful print. The composition, the repeating patterns, the shapes, the range of tone... fine fine work.

The vertical lines create new and repeating frames, literally, in the image. While the horizon is near center in the overall image, it is found at places other than center in these various frames. In fact, the space is repeated divided both horizontally and vertically throughout the image creating a compelling tension between stable and unstable visual forces.

This is a fantastically original and aesthetically beautiful image of one of the most photographed mountains in the U.S. What a great idea and very well executed. Fine work!

Great image with powerful emotional impact. I love the grainy diffused look and the constrast adds to the drama. Fine work.

Great abstraction. I love the distortion from the wide angle lens and the tilted orientation. Very dynamic image. The constrast makes it jump.

A work of art. The drama in this image is palpable. Fine fine work.

Exquisite. The tone, the texture. This is first rate work.

I cannot get over your work. You are a master.

You have the best monotone work on this site. Your work is extraordinary and inspiring. Thank you thank you thank you.

Fine work. Great composition. I love the constrast between the soft tones and shapes of the clouds and the clean lines in the buildings. I like how the arch is repeated in various places. Also, this is a good example of how to make convergence work for you.

Powerful image. The sillouette is effective.

I don't normally rate these kind of "kitty" photos but this one is exceptionally well done. Being on eye level with the cat makes it intimate. The catch-light in the cat's eye is great. Good use of DOF to manipulate the compostion. And in an outdoor setting no less! The two out-of-focus objects in the foreground on the right and left detract.

Beautiful and powerful mood. I would like to see a version where the foreground is cropped a bit. The stuff in the lower right corner detracts from the wonderful tranquility here.

It is difficult to do something new photographically in Yosemite but you have achieved it nicely with these IR images. Fine work.

Beatiful. Powerful. Good IR work/

This is a good example of creative work with the much-maligned Photoshop or other selective focus techniques. The composition is entirely altered (and for the better) with this technique and begins to suggest s story. The large dark area at the bottom detracts from this fine work. I recommend cropping to only the top 1/3. Keep experimenting with this technique.

Though not for all tastes, I like these minimalist B&W images. This one is particularly nice.