Monday, October 01, 2007
Wet Antwerpen
Comments:
I like the idea of this but am not sure whether the interesting details add up to a visual whole. My first thought was that maybe it would be better in b/w - an impulse arising from buried memories, many decades old, of particular black and white images on rainy streets - but I don't think that that is the case. Maybe it is because there are too many partial bits (legs, umbrella in puddle, something bottom right) and maybe because the sky reflection is too bright and the umbrella appears light blue within it when I yearn for black!
I wonder what sort of conversation one has when the waiter offers you this table - what is the nature of the drain and what might issue forth?! I'm also intrigued by the shoes; you don't see too many like that in West Wales!
But it is an enjoyable picture.
Makes me think of the pubble jumper in an earlier Cartier Bresson photo, but of course this is totally different.
I'm afraid there are too many subjects or maybe not enough focus on what the subject was supposed to be.
Many attractive things to see here -- the table and chairs, the beautiful wet stones, the "walking" boots, and an interesting reflection of the umbrella. A really nice idea, but I must agree with the others that it doesn't come together as a whole. I think the bottom right reflection is distracting, and perhaps the puddle is too large or too bright.
I do love looking at those wet stones though.
Just to show that variety is good...this I like because it works as a whole despite the unconnectedness of the parts. The opposite of a bullet composition as the action is in the four corners. All set off nicely by at least three Vs and, of course, those lovely boots. Magic.
After looking at this for a while, I like the things going on the right half, just not the left half, with the really distracting yellow bit of trash in the upper left corner. My thinks cropping would help a lot. I really like the reflected imagery with the puddle.
This is growing on me, but I wish the top edge was just a little darker. Other than that, I like the combination of textures (the table cloth, the chair seat, the cobblestones) and the strong white lines. And, as Colin mentioned, those are great boots.
As much as I keep on looking at this, it must be considered a success. I leaves my image posted above it looking absolutely dull by comparison.
One more thought, if this was B&W, you'd miss out on the gradation from red tablecloth to reddish brown boots, to brownish red cobblestones. And that would be a shame.
Works well as a whole albeit with that yellow piece of rubbish. Great use of triangles, reflections and patterns. Also the falling of the light from bottom left to top right adds a further dimension. The table, even though unset, is a little busy with the poles. Well seen and executed.
Thank you all.
This was a quick post without much thought after returning from a long weekend in Holland. I quickly flicked through my images when I got home, went 'Oh wow I like that' and posted it.
The first observation made was by someone at work when I proudly showed it to him. He tore it apart with his critique following the path of too many unconnected items in the image. Feeling somewhat deflated and with confidence at rock bottom I waited for the Stills crew to comment. Initial comments arrived and they were along the same line.
Colin's comment was the first one that contained my initial feelings about the picture. I can see lots of links between the parts and for me it worked as a whole. It probably got posted because I did not analyse it at all.
So thank you all for an interesting set of observations.
Given that I rarely line up with a majority in anything, I am concerned that I might end up that way with this! I had a good look after Colin's comment and felt that maybe the 'whole' was closer than I had originally stated; a good case of someone else's analysis swaying one's opinion, but not enough. Ultimately, it is the light blue of the umbrella that dampens my enthusiasm (sorry!).
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I wonder what sort of conversation one has when the waiter offers you this table - what is the nature of the drain and what might issue forth?! I'm also intrigued by the shoes; you don't see too many like that in West Wales!
But it is an enjoyable picture.
I'm afraid there are too many subjects or maybe not enough focus on what the subject was supposed to be.
I do love looking at those wet stones though.
This was a quick post without much thought after returning from a long weekend in Holland. I quickly flicked through my images when I got home, went 'Oh wow I like that' and posted it.
The first observation made was by someone at work when I proudly showed it to him. He tore it apart with his critique following the path of too many unconnected items in the image. Feeling somewhat deflated and with confidence at rock bottom I waited for the Stills crew to comment. Initial comments arrived and they were along the same line.
Colin's comment was the first one that contained my initial feelings about the picture. I can see lots of links between the parts and for me it worked as a whole. It probably got posted because I did not analyse it at all.
So thank you all for an interesting set of observations.