GerrySiegel

An appealing composition with colors that are soothing and complementary.

Excellent subject powerfully drawn. Very good. Looks like it might have been done by Yousuf Karsh himself. He looks like a bold fisherman with weather beaten life story.

The nude form with its alluring sculptural shadows of flesh and bone, gives the picture its haunting quality. So much dark and a sensual display- to match the sunlight. Better than more than 90% of nudes for originality. That chiaroscura contrast is what delivers the goods, Jack.

 

I like the idea. I am less fond of the light vignette. It does not seem to fit the subject as it would a portrait. But good experiment and admirable effort.

I can see myself and my trusted Iroquois guide and me paddling our birch bark canoe slowly down this waterway, listening to the splash of beaver near shore and the caws of ravens in the distance. So evocative is this. Glad you are an early riser Tony. Before the sun burns off the hazy morning dew.

Simple and elegant. I like the little braids that frame her hair too. Sweet portrait of a delicate form.

I wish you had asked her. She does have a pleasing face. Be bold and see what happens next time. Or even ask her if she ever models for a fee. Or an ice cream sundae...I wish you well.

Very elegant for a street subject. Looks like professional make up. I like the strong lighting for her cheeks. Nice one.

An interesting effect of dark and light and shadow, Jack. I do wonder whether I would have let the drape hang by one hand and shown the model full length as that would have given more weight to offset the power of the window. Intriguing study this.

I like it. A nice juxtaposition of flat planes to create a walk in feeling and lots of atmosphere. Chilly.

I am with Tony/ a good concept theme.

A pleasing landscape with good composition and fine color tones.

With the photo enlarged I can almost agree with John that the lighting is not bad as is . Especially if one cropped in closer to give more attention to face vs surrounds and white white dress- as eyes pull to the largest illumination most cases.... Meaning you can see detail in the dress and still get some attention on her face. I suppose I would have added just enough light to fill in her facial structure a little more- the main purpose unless you are selling the garment- and also still some light on her hair to separate it out form the background. I have not quarrel with the pose as long as you tried a few other angles. Good luck.

Hi. My first reaction is that the white robe or gown and her dark hair and complexion are an exposure challenge. Which call out for some supplemental light on her face and hair. A reflector fill would be one way to deal with that. Or even two reflectors with one lighting her hair. Yes, they would need to be large enough. Lights could do it of course. If she moved to her left you would get her without the tree and that might be better. A lovely model and a good one for starters as pose. You are well on your way and i wish you well indeed.. You might also have tried some closer shots of her and in vertical crop, not too close though as her hands are valuable. Good luck.

Photo has a lot of power. And the bull gets the key role in this performance. In coming back to it today, I still wish that the tall lampost did not bisect the human " matador." A distracting element in its location unfortunately. I can both place myself from the perspective of the powerful bull as well as the clearly not so professional antagonist or in the corrida de toros. Compressed perspective puts all in play. And the spectators get some attention too.

Thank you Hugo, for your participation. An honest effort.

You need only to clone out the white spots that look like powdered sugar from a jelly donut and you have an even purer monolith. Puzzling image, Koen what else to say.

That there is a mythic aspect to the photo is not a negative for me. It is a confection but not overly sweet in its overall feeling. The red umbrella is a thing I have mixed feelings about. It is not intended to be naturalistic. Deconstructing it by looking for source of light is open territory of course. And when I do I can find a lot to grumble about. The gestalt, if I can use that word for a change, is one of gentleness and peace and a kind of balance that a garden setting, however mythological, can accomplish. I can accept idealized, even the fantasy of Disneyesque in a photo. It has its minuses and a few pluses. Does deconstructing a photo allow for a reconstruction after we get done with source of light and over vignetting and no handle...maybe, maybe not.

Quite beautiful. Velvet background does her justice.

An interesting confection. I am always intrigued by these marvelous lights on posts. And no question at all of the bold vanishing point here as our perspective. Lady looks like she appeared by means of a Star Trek transporter off a runway. But also somehow fits the whole color scheme. Interesting Hugo.

If I choose to look at elements, they are harmonious. Without the light splash on the pagoda and water, there would be nothing to have the human elements gazing at. Without the burst of light in the sky above that scene there would be no overall balance and source of light from where light emanates. On vignetting, I could well go with less or none at al,but in a creative way this as done fits this stage- scene scenario in my head. It is sort of like a set, where things have been 'cooked' up and chosen to make what? A simple porridge and definitely not a souflee. The somewhat incongruous red umbrella, well it ties the couple together. Thus is a strong element of interest against a middle range overall luminosity and mid tone chroma. Helps. Nothing obsessive I see in the processing ( over cooked is a bit strong, and not apt for this example as I see it) Now, If there were a trio of white swans in the pond yeah that would be over cooked... Not a lot to chew over as a visual statement. If I search "meaning" it suggests harmony. Not grist for much chewing so far. But I am not the last word. Discussion often leads me to see what I didn't see. I overlooked the two birds and now wonder why and what they add as two other animal elements. PS: I rarely if ever consider or chew on the "titles" of a photo. Should I?

"I think photography is superlative for revealing multiplicity, complexity and doubt. This is frustrating for those trying to picture wishful hopes (and I do not denigrate such hopes in saying that), but it's the cost of photography's revelatory power."

 

I wish I could latch on that thought, Julie, which sounds important. A little too abstract for my sensibility I expect. Photography is revelatory to me, but not necessarily as a doorway into anything more than enjoyment of the day to day ( my abode). As a popular song does not need to become an aria. Or every play needs to be Antigone or Oedipus. I need a Cliff's Notes I expect :-) It is a kind of warming photo. Of the kind I enjoy. To see deeper and see analytically is fine, but it should not need a rope ladder to engage with it. Or to draw on a lot externals. I could be wrong.

I like the color palette. It has a feeling of peace and familiarity and rest. The solemnity of Japanese gardens. A parallel of the comfort of two people who are in a tender and serene space. The red umbrella is a great statement of buoyancy in lives well lived.

Miro, this one has real eye appeal. I am sure it was a series of efforts to get there. A giant toss of hair and a Marlene Dletrich bold sitting stance all together.

 

A daring splash of color. I might quibble with the socks as being a bridge too far. But it sure stands out. Make a great ad for something..wallpaper anyway. i wish you well.