sjmurray

Interesting effect!

Very nice.  I like photos of the woods myself. I find the textures,colors and seasonal variations endlessly fascinating.

I like it but in my mind I immediately thought: "hmmmm, if this was my photo . . ." and I made some changes: cropping and color. I'm new to this forum so I don't know if its OK to post variations on the original. We have a forum for that anyway.

Strong composition!

Wonderful light all around!

Another of your keenly seen images Jack!  Happy holidays!

I agree Fred, and its interesting. I was thinking after I made my comments that maybe my "pathos meter" is a bit more hair trigger than a lot of people's for some reason. After all, some people love that sort of thing! If we all liked the exactly same things, there wouldn't be much variety in the world of photography.

Fred, I could see this as a part of a series it would seem less "pathos" driven than my initial reaction. But, that was my initial reaction. There are so many photos like you so aptly describe: "caricatures in the name of "pathos."

My first reaction was that this type of photo, of a weathered, craggy, unkempt person is a saturated formula, so to speak. Interesting perhaps, but, you know what I mean.

Thanks for your comment, Jack.  I too like this photo.  I don't usually get this close when photographing someone's face, but the room was crowded and this is the spot where the light from the kitchen was on her face.  The result is to me somewhat more intimate due the the physical closeness and slightly wide angle lens effect.  Its like she is "right there" in front of you.  

At the family Christmas party I was catching up with my cousin's

daughter, Grace, whom was telling me about her current activities. I

noticed the light on her face was very nice so I asked her to pause

for a moment right there (and don't move) and I took her picture.

Unfortunately I "cut off' her head, but I did capture her very

striking features.

Wow! Beautiful!

Beautiful.  Belongs in the new Abstract forum!

Great composition and very intriguing image emphasizing the lips and her cleavage. Sensual.

Very striking model, dress and expression so well captured by the photographer!

I get what you are saying, Fred, and I agree. Digging into my own reaction a little deeper I discovered that the image as a whole, to me, feels contrived, like the photographer created the image to feel symbolic on purpose. I can't get an emotional connection when it feels like it was done on purpose.

For me the pitchfork dominates, and yeah, there is fog and a receding figure as Fred say's: "longing for a heavier interpretation." I becomes for me kind of cliched for that reason. It is a nicely arranged photo with moody features. I guess if you are into symbolism this is a more interesting picture. I have to admit, I'm not usually into a lot of symbolism, but I realize it is a main point for a lot of people. So, I have to "own" my take on it.

Graphically it is nicely balanced, but overall I find the scene uninteresting: a guy walking in the fog along a dilapidated fence. I find the broken pitchfork somewhat distracting as well.

Nice Tim.  Snow has a way of changing the landscape in very interesting ways.

Great find!

Thanks for the critique, Fred.  I was a bit sloppy with the blur effect, as you noticed, and I would perfect it more if I were to make a framed print!  My goal was to make it look like I had used a more open f stop which would have blurred more of the background.  Actually, I could go back to this spot and do it again too.

I love the amazing blend of reds, greens and yellows, with the soft fog gently framing everything.

Such a beautiful place! 

Yes,  nice graphic effect!