John, I kind of feel you've missed it here. It's quite a difficult picture to get to grips with because the twig and right hand leaves are confused, the twig by being lost to the background and the leaves through the confusion of shapes, light and shadow. It feels awful to say but I don't like it at all. Sorry my friend. _________________
John, I kind of feel you've missed it here. It's quite a difficult picture to get to grips with because the twig and right hand leaves are confused, the twig by being lost to the background and the leaves through the confusion of shapes, light and shadow. It feels awful to say but I don't like it at all. Sorry my friend.
Keith, I have always respected your opinion. If you weren't open and honest with your thoughts, they would have no value, and for that I'm grateful.
In this case I must respectfully, and strongly, disagree with your position. But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I have spent much effort in learning how to see things differently. This has led to learning about how we don't really take pictures of objects, but rather how we interpret the ambient light, and the light which reflects from those objects. Photography is all about light.
This, in turn, has led me to an exploration of fine art photography. It crosses the line between simple photography and art (not to mention being wide open to interpretation, as any art will tend to be).
This image is my first attempt at photography as art (hence why it is posted in the Digital Creations - Photo Art forum). It is my expression of what I saw when I took the picture. I doubt any artist can claim their first attempt as a definitive benchmark. I can't, and won't claim this is an outstanding example in the world of photography, but I am not ashamed of it either. The branch falling into shadow is, truly, realistic. That is out of camera. These leaves were in a sweet spot of a shaft of light and the branch - was - in shadow. The subject is the wonderful light on the leaves. It's common to compose, and if necessary, dodge and burn, to create light which enhances that which the artist/photographer wishes to emphasize, and I think this image does that well.
You were the person who opened my eyes to seeing images beyond the technical aspects. I have taken that to heart and have bought books on the artistic facet of photography, I have spent tens of hours seeking out and analyzing fine art web sites, Ansel Adams' works, and have started researching classical painters such as Renoir, van Gogh and Rembrandt, among others, to learn how they visualized and interpreted light. They have much to offer.
I am disappointed you don't see what I do in this image. Of all the members on this forum, I would have thought you to be the one to have the vision to appreciate this. Perhaps I have truly failed to express my vision, and for that, I am sincerely regretful.
Thanks for your comments - as always, much appreciated. You have also confirmed something I've been thinking about for some time now, and for that I'm also thankful.
I am not going to do a one man's meat is another man's poison on you here, that would be most disrespectful, too banal and too simplistic, and I feel I have already done enough damage. I do want to say to you that I am not an expert in anything, my opinion is all you get, it isn't backed by any kind of authority, I am, and remain, an amateur. I really want to ask you not to take my critique too much to heart because it just isn't that well informed. Your response is so heart felt that I would just like to apologise to you, I am very sorry. All the best, Keith. _________________
Boy oh boy, the image I do like, but - isn't there always a but,
Lighting is great, colours are lovely, I actually like the "lost" twig against the background, as the lighting "finds it" (not to sure if expressing myself correctly there) the bit for me is I am lost as to where my eyes are drawn, the two sides of the image both have lovely coloured leaves combatting for attention.
The twig is a nice lead in line from left to upper right, but the larger leaf takes me out of the image to the left, would have been awesome (for me) if the leaves had been reversed, but that again is my opinion.
I also like the texture effect that you have achieved with the background. _________________ -----------------------------------------------------
Boy oh boy, the image I do like, but - isn't there always a but,
Lighting is great, colours are lovely, I actually like the "lost" twig against the background, as the lighting "finds it" (not to sure if expressing myself correctly there) the bit for me is I am lost as to where my eyes are drawn, the two sides of the image both have lovely coloured leaves combatting for attention.
The twig is a nice lead in line from left to upper right, but the larger leaf takes me out of the image to the left, would have been awesome (for me) if the leaves had been reversed, but that again is my opinion.
I also like the texture effect that you have achieved with the background.
Thanks for the comments Dave,
One thing I have read many times is that the eye is drawn to the light, or brightest areas of an image.
The leaf on the left is intended to be the primary focal point, with the branch leading to the others, as a secondary point of interest, which also serves to add overall balance to the image.
Perhaps not as well achieved as I had hoped. Which simply gives me an excuse to try this again
Probably just my imagination, but in this I see similarities to some of Rembrandt's works with regard to light, shadow, colour and texture. That's all I think about when I see this, and is a great part of its appeal to me. _________________ see my photography at john.seelbinder.org
Perhaps not as well achieved as I had hoped. Which simply gives me an excuse to try this again
Probably just my imagination, but in this I see similarities to some of Rembrandt's works with regard to light, shadow, colour and texture. That's all I think about when I see this, and is a great part of its appeal to me.
As an amateur I am always a bit nervous to give comments but I do LIKE the photo and the compostion lighting etc are brillaint. I know its a bit of a cliche but I can see how you feel that you were 'painting withyour camera' and the similarities to Rembradt I used to do painting but now I find it much quicker to use my camera. _________________ forget all the photography rules! experiment
Thanks flapjack.
Learning how to see and capture the light is one of the primary things I'm trying to learn right now. No one understands light better than a painter, I think.
My ultimate goal is that I really want my photography to be more artistic and go beyond being just a picture. _________________ see my photography at john.seelbinder.org
I think I like this one even more than your Berries photo. I really like the light through the leaves and along the stem. _________________ happy 50th birthday - motown records
I think I like this one even more than your Berries photo. I really like the light through the leaves and along the stem.
Wow - thanks Derek.
I'm really happy with both berry images (the cherries in the monthly comp, and the crabapples in the nature forum) as well as this image. After a disappointing summer as photography goes, I feel like I've turned a corner and maybe some of the things I've been working on are starting to bear fruit (pun intended lol ). I really hope these shots mean that I'm close to moving to the next level.
Many thanks.
John _________________ see my photography at john.seelbinder.org
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I used to do painting but now I find it much quicker to use my camera.
