Rachana

I have no critique right now, but you are too impatient.

 

It can take a while for people to discover the image and more time to think on it.

You are right. Thanks a lot !☺️

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Is this so bad to consider ??? no single reply, not even critic

Monsoon is not solely about rain. It’s a season, some would argue, even a state of mind, and many other things specific to the geographical region. Rain triggers a whole cascade of events that transform the landscape, wild life and people’s livelihoods. The first rains bring out the new leaves in the summer-scorched landscape that have the distinctive bright green color, seen in the photo above. It’s also most likely early in the season, since some of the land shows the bare soil. Later on, it will just be green everywhere.

 

To me, the photo tells about unkempt, raw nature, rich and dynamic, and the composition works for me. A flat overcast sky is less appealing in a lot of cases, but here I don’t mind it. I like how the gradation of brightness descends from the white sky to the backlit leaves, to the translucent green below. I think, it adds to the dynamism of the scene. I also find the inclusion of the wavy tree branch appealing, because it is like a warm embrace and canopy to the baby greens below. For me, it makes the scene cozy and welcoming. Monsoon has its tender side and this is what this scene focuses on, in my opinion.

 

I think, avoiding showing the rain was a great idea, since people tend to focus on the rain and it can quickly become straight forward and feel-good from that point onwards. Rather, the photo shows the environment associated with rain - the bright green and the overcast sky, which reminds me about monsoon in a better way than straight rain would have.

 

One point, the vertical sticks or dead stalks that dcstep thought were ugly are actually aerial roots, probably from banyan trees or other mangrove branches. That’s also a familiar characteristic of the monsoon landscape. I am not arguing whether thats ugly or not, just clarifying what they are.

 

One last thought, monsoon landscapes in India or other tropical countries are very different than the pristine neat meadows and forests of British isles or France. They are messy and disordered, and I love it that way. Thats their aesthetics. That’s just me though. Growth is extremely fast and somewhat uneven, in response to high rain after summer.

Hi Supriyo,

"Monsoon is not solely about rain. It’s a season, some would argue, even a state of mind" What a Wonderful Quote ! You said it !!

Such a beautiful and powerful expression into words of one's picture and state of mind behind the pic.

Another Wonderful appreciation, I have ever received.

I am so much delighted that , you have exactly expressed 'What I have Seen' and ''How I have felt" and in such a rhythmic, poetic way.

Your words, your feelings on Indian monsoon landscape are lovable ... I have exact feelings... I love this wilder nature, full of variety. it is blissful, energetic,

Thanks a lot Supriyo ! feel so much excited ..

Regards,

Rachana Kulkarni

My issue is not with the title. Sometimes, a title is important in keying me into something the photographer wants to convey. Sometimes, it's not. Here, the picture seems to speak for itself and the title seems pretty matter-of-fact. As a matter of fact, so does the picture. I think that goes along well with the tone of a lot of Rachana's portfolio, taken as a whole.

 

While I don't find this picture terribly compelling, it did inspire me to go to Rachana's portfolio to help me understand what it was attempting. Doing that explains a bit. While I would probably nix this one in particular, there's enough matter-of-fact photos with a little something extra that can emerge from this portfolio. In being an attempt at furthering that vision, I applaud this photo, even while I, personally, would not include it with some of the better shots with a similar tone in the portfolio.

 

The sky is unfortunate and the main branch, while I see why it would appeal as a strong graphic element (even if the greater subject is the green-ness, the garden, and/or the mess), is not really enough to sustain the photo or to continue piquing my interest. I think the messiness of it all along with the strewn green(!) bottle to the left of center is where the potential voice in this picture lies, considering the portfolio it's in.

 

I think seeing it in light of other photos such as MORNING WALK, FATHER, POINT OF DEVIATION, EXITING EVE, and LOST IN THE MIST at least explains to me the attempt here much more than the title does in this case. I think something emerging in at least some of Rachana's work is almost a rejection of the classic notion of "subject" and more a desire to create or express a mood that is not necessarily tangible or distinctly named or focused.

Hi Samstevens,

Thanks a lot for appreciation and having look at my portfolio.

What you have analysed is absolutely perfect. My titles are expressions of my deep feeling / Mood which I am trying to capture.

Like in FATHER .....

Father is first hero, a superman for any little daughter.

She always have full faith that her father can save her from any trouble.

Here, the land is full of stones and the little girl is barefoot. Her shoes are far away.

But She has her super FATHER... Her protector with her.

Her actions and body language, speaks. I could read, feel , sense all that and could not stop myself from clicking it.

BUT as you said, it is not straightforward title.

It may disappoint viewers, if they are unable to grasp the deep feelings behind it. (and of-course, my pic has to be strong enough to express it, in first place)

Some times I feel we should , express in few words , too , just to make others to understand your view (they may get related to it or not )

Samstevens, Really feel very much happy when some one ''understands' you. Whether He/she agrees with you or not is different matter.

Trying to understand someone is a BIG QUALITY (& probably rare, too) Thanks !

Regards,

Rachana

Rachana, please accept the following bits of feedback as constructive. Quite honestly, the only element of the image that needs improvement is the detail, which should be sharper. I'm somewhat puzzled by the image's title, since before actually viewing it, I expected to see rain falling, rain on the vegetation, or puddles. I do like the balanced tonality, and the greens are lush and vivid. Finally, perhaps you should consider whether the image would have more impact by converting it to b&w.

Hi,

Thanks for appreciation, michaellinder

Feedback and critic are always welcome.

The photo is really of the beginning and not in the deep forest. My city is blessed with surround wilder nature and Mangroves. (India, Navi Mumbai, Airoli)

Wandering in this wilder nature is utmost pleasure for me.

This year summer was terribly hot and monsoon got delayed. We were eagerly waiting for it.

Just 3-4 (but fairly heavy) rains, changed the scene drastically. I have posted comparison photo on FB.

Leslie, has perfectly described my feeling about the the photo

Regards,

Rachana Kulkarni

I’m also thrown by the title. It looks like the middle of the monsoon season rather than the beginning. Other than that, it’s a pleasant enough photo. If posted to the NW In a forest thread, I’d predict no more than 5 likes

Hi,

Thanks for appreciation, Ludmilla.

The photo is really of the beginning and not in the deep forest. My city is blessed with surround wilder nature and Mangroves. (India, Navi Mumbai, Airoli)

Wandering in this wilder nature is utmost pleasure for me.

This year summer was terribly hot and monsoon got delayed. We were eagerly waiting for it.

Just 3-4 (but fairly heavy) rains, changed the scene drastically. I have posted comparison photo on FB.

Leslie, has perfectly described my feeling about the the photo

Regards,

Rachana Kulkarni

Hi Leslie,

This is the most wonderful comment I have ever received.

From all aspect, Understanding the photo, compliments, plus-minus points, and full guidance.

First of all, how perfectly you got my feelings.

What you are written here, is the exact interpretation of my feelings.

” I’m seeing this image as a celebration of the renewal and life that the onset of rains brings after a long dry season; it evokes the feeling of relief and excitement that I get when the autumn rains in my region finally return—I can almost smell the newly damp soil. “

These are the exact interpretation of my thoughts while composing for click.

“The aspect of the image that I find most attractive is the rich array of greens. Other elements that catch my interest are the backlit leaves in the upper right, the suggestion of vertical lines in the foreground left and center, and the massive dark horizontal line of the branch.”

These are the exact points which were bothering me but were unavoidable.

“Distracting influences are the bright sky at the top and some of the details in the mid-ground shadows (which make the image very busy-looking).”

You got connected with the image and by-heart, came out with the flaws and uninteresting part in the image. (And not as plain technical critic) It is mentioned very nicely and in detail.

Most important thing is, You have not just stopped by pointing out flaws but suggested the ways to overcome it. That, too, Very Deep and in-Detail !

Thank So much for taking out time and appreciating me, and guiding me.

I am really thrilled and inspired.

I Would Love to have guidance in future, too.

Regards,

Rachana Kulkarni