Wednesday, July 16, 2008
walled up
Comments:
Hair is not needed, use the stairs!
The lead into the window is strong and draws attention to the mannequin. There is acually a diagonal with the stairs/pots and the tree, even an echo in the roof.
The Rapunzel comment is witty but Rex is right! Once, you could have walked in. Taken at arm's length on 'live view' with drizzle just setting in.
I always find mannequins a bit creepy, particularly when they are unclothed. The dark tonality of this plays into that creepiness a bit, but the flowers cheer it up, which makes it seem even creepier. Did I mention that I always find mannequins creepy?
I'm not calling it "creepy" but there is something there that makes it at least a bit "odd". At first glance, a woman wistfully staring out the window as if (like Rapunzel) she is captive in a stone fortress -- but wait a minute, she's bald and naked -- and not even alive. (so how can she possibly be wistful?)
A good "mind trick" and perfectly composed. For me, the industrial-looking container in the lower right pane helps bring it all back somewhat from the fantasy realm to reality.
I'm in the creepy camp. An interesting collection of objects are presented on a beautiful backdrop. There is plenty of detail and texture in the stonework in this one. I'm still somewhat troubled by the white top right but any crop totally throws out the current balance of the shot. I'm sure it will grow on me given time.
"Climbing" the "steps" is irresistible and the odd collection of objects certainly sets the imagination in motion. I wonder what's in that plastic container at the bottom right of the window. It is interesting that we can so clearly read wistful in her expressionless face.
My first reaction when seeing this print was Edward Weston's Spring 1943 and Dynamic Symmetry 1943.
Thanks for reminding me to look through my Weston books again. Civilian Defense (with a reclined nude wearing gas mask) was another Weston picture that sprung to mind.
The steps up to the window, the pots and plants climbing from right to left, are a great lead to the window and figure which looks off in another direction. The only niggle I have is the triangle top right. Without it all we have is wall up there, with it I get strongly pulled up there.
Leaving this comment again, as I am not sure that the first one had enough internet traction...
I like the textures of the rock wall contasting with the center most flower pot, and the manakin adds mystery and makes this a haunting photograph. Like we dropped into the middle of a story.
Thanks for comments. I'm always attracted to mannequins! Qualifying that remark - they always seem to be asking to be photographed. I don't find them spooky but, applying a bit of thinking, one could extrapolate them to be the robots of the future!
The portion of bargeboard is a bit annoying but this was taken at full arms' length using live view and I didn't want to lose any of the window. It was also beginning to drizzle: this being two miles from home where a local artist lives - this is his studio in an old barn. That is a very large iron teapot - industrial scale indeed.
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The lead into the window is strong and draws attention to the mannequin. There is acually a diagonal with the stairs/pots and the tree, even an echo in the roof.
A good "mind trick" and perfectly composed. For me, the industrial-looking container in the lower right pane helps bring it all back somewhat from the fantasy realm to reality.
Thanks for reminding me to look through my Weston books again. Civilian Defense (with a reclined nude wearing gas mask) was another Weston picture that sprung to mind.
The steps up to the window, the pots and plants climbing from right to left, are a great lead to the window and figure which looks off in another direction. The only niggle I have is the triangle top right. Without it all we have is wall up there, with it I get strongly pulled up there.
I like the textures of the rock wall contasting with the center most flower pot, and the manakin adds mystery and makes this a haunting photograph. Like we dropped into the middle of a story.
The portion of bargeboard is a bit annoying but this was taken at full arms' length using live view and I didn't want to lose any of the window. It was also beginning to drizzle: this being two miles from home where a local artist lives - this is his studio in an old barn. That is a very large iron teapot - industrial scale indeed.