Well, Angela, I did visit and felt energized to bring two special picks for comment. We do love to see pictures actually appear in these pages or else people may just pass by. .
I have picked just two images that are joined together by the over-arching "master metaphor" of human life, "The Journey". (Coincidentally, before Cem's choice appeared, I picked that picture too, which attests to my good taste). I'll not discuss technique, as here I'm struck more by artistic qualities. we can still discuss technical and compositional aspects later.
The sight of a pathway, in Cem's pick, above, with the vulnerable child exploring a garden path, captures our hearts. We think of the opportunities that may come her way as well as the hazards. The presence of discrete stepping stones in the path, corresponds to stages one hopes for in a child's growth. So picture elements are coherent. We don't see her face. That allows the relevance to extend beyond the particular child to all children. Such conceptual pictures may work even better in B&W, since we can distribute emphasis on tone, texture and form, light and shadows without color distraction. B&W is not needed, or better, just an alternate possibility.
© Angela Gregory FUJIFILM FinePix S310, ISO 64, f 5.0
The second picture I chose appears to be a partly frozen stream with broken ice. Again a way for travel. This one has immediate complexities. This contrasts to the child's path which is
neutrally presented. That are no visible dangers or risks right now. The icy water, however, cannot be walked on safely and not even a canoe can pass. Here one would need to wait for a thaw, go back or go around, along the bank. But look again, maybe this is not a river! Could it be a path and one could, with care, go ahead and meet the crossroad ahead?
In both of these pictures, the ambiguity allows for our minds to bring rich interpretations to the image. When a picture is merely just what it shows, it is nor bad. To me, at least, this is amongst the best value of art, however, not any absolute requirement.
Art does not need any message or meaning. It can just evoke our passions and be beautiful. To be chosen, however, even if beautiful, it then cannot be any sunset or rose we see so often. There has to be something uniquely impressive.
Asher