......Simple

[big pix]

.......tree.......

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/134849235-L.jpg

[The Repro Kid]

Many of your photos I really like, don't get me wrong. But this one, like the one of the sun dropping through that rock hole, I don't like. In this one there is a composition problem in that every element serves to lead my eye out out of the photo, and leaves me cross-eyed, trying to find way back in. It's nice, but not your best work.

The high-noon lighting doesn't help.

Just my critique, hope you don't mind. I noticed you seemed irked when paulC accused you of enhancing a lens flare, so please don't take me wrong.

[big pix]

the lens flare was natural........ as shot...... this image is different as I am doing a few different things, yes it was shot at high noon and I will be going back when time pemits, but I have always worked by, get an image, then get a better one, but in this case I have got to wait on the sun, and the time to re-shoot. But first I am sorting out a new D200, on my second body in 2 weeks, and about to send this one back as well, but still testing and setting it up for the way i shoot.

I have been out tonite doing some nite pixs, at a fair, yet to have a look, and will post a few if OK....... but still testing, you can call it a beta shoot

What makes people different is that we do not all like the same thing, or image, and it would be a boring world if everything was the same....... I am glad that there are different points of view

[Paul C]

I really like this shot. So there's another opinion for you.

Nice work.

peace

[The Repro Kid]

Yes there are different points of view. Unfortunately, my different points of view have been forever corrupted by years of art school. In Western art, as in any art from a certain culture's point of view, there are rules and guidelines. Western art guidelines for composition suggest that the compositional elements of an image should lead the viewers eyes throughout the composition, using the elements themselves to guide the viewer where the artist wants to lead them.

In your image you have a lovely negative space with all that sky above the hill, and just a hint of cloud on the horizon to nudge the viewers eye into that negative space and the hill, but the strength of the top of the tree grabs the viewer's eye first, and the viewer's eye is then drawn down the curve of that second branch where it is then launched right out of the image by the strong curve and arrow effect of the secondary branch. If the viewer tries to look back towards the hill their eye is again directed out of the composition by that very strong little tuft of grass that again, points out of the composition. If the viewer wants to view the the remaining sky and hill that they haven't yet seen, they must make a conscious effort to move all the way to the other side and enter the image where those clouds on the horizon lead them in, and then view the negative space the sky provides, almost as it they are viewing two different pictures.

The more you study art history, the more you realize the mastery the Greats had over composition. In a great work of art you'll notice that invariably, every element is used to turn the viewers eye back into the image, forcing the viewer's eye to go around and around, but never allowing it to leave the image.

I guess my point of view has been irrevocably corrupted by art school, as I can never look at an image without immediately noticing these types of things.

[big pix]

I agree fully with your comments....... and please do not misinterpret what I am about to say but try to understand my logic, weather right or wrong..... but after 45 years of pleasing lots of different people and doing Photography to cater to other peoples idea's and tastes, I am now free to do and shoot as I please. I like lots of different images and subjects, I look for the unusual, something left field, presenting an image in a different way to create discussion, forever changing the way I shoot, and I find that my own personal work is still evoling with constant rapid change, some good, some just not worth keeping.

I still have a love of the captured image and a computer has become my darkroom. Most people my age have their feet up drinking tea, I am out shooting or working on the computer or location shooting for some old clients which I enjoy the most as I have total freedom on how each subject is shot. Must admit that the clients do not like my left field approch to some of their work, but I add it only to get a reaction to gauge and to help my approch on the next subject, for my personal work. Bit like beta testing software........ but a lot more fun

[The Repro Kid]

I know how you feel. I love working in a darkroom. I'd build my own darkroom but I would feel guilty about all the chemistry, when I have access to a computer, and Los Angeles is very strict about chemistry disposal. Keep up the good work!