Critique Desired......leaf shot.

[Michael G. Spille]

I took this some time ago,in Wave Hill,NY.
What I was trying to convey ,was the smoothness in texture of the leafs,and the shape and lines of the leafs, as well .

Any ideas /suggestions, as to how I could have improved this shot?

Please feel free to edit it in any way, you choose.

Comments and criticism are welcome.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Asher Kelman]

Mike,

The setup is unusual but I like the mental jolt. What lead you to make this picture horizontal? Certainly it's unusual. Also you decided to have the leaves pointing backwards to Western writing, so it's backwards. None of this is "wrong".

Asher

 

[Michael G. Spille]

Asher,

Do you think it's some how related to the mysterous "Cat Picture"

Great feedback...????


Mike

 

[Asher Kelman]

Asher,

Do you think it's some how related to the mysterous "Cat Picture"

Great feedback...????


Mike

Hi Michael, was that a touch of sarcasm? I ask the questions before going further as I want to understand your intent and the background. Our job is to give feedback relevant to your artistic intent, at least as you articulate it. So if I can't ask such questions, I'm sort of stuck.

Now I happen to have spent a good deal of time, not only going through your pictures but also devoting attention to how they might be edited. One can readily make artistic derivations from your pictures. I worked on several just to make sure. However, I'm looking for ways that the pictures can be made from the outset so they are likely more successful and meet your own vision. My skill, (as much as it might be), in working with your images may not help as much as understanding your process, hence my questions. Here about the unusual placement and what you were thinking of?

So I'm taken back by the remark above!

Asher

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

..Do you think it's some how related to the mysterous "Cat Picture"

While on that topic, you haven't provided a clear answer to the cat question yet. Please see my post in there with assumptions as to what it might be.

 

[Ken Tanaka]

Hello Michael,
Good/bad, right/wrong...I'll leave those decisions to you. Here are just some notions for you to consider, particularly with regard to visual language.

Rather like your driftwood image, this is a very horizontal organization; in fact you've again split the frame almost evenly in half. It's human nature to look for something in each compartment, but here there's nothing. There's also no clear point of focus (the whole image is out of focus) so there's no reward there, either. You've not really captured either form or tonality well. Consequently this image will leave viewers with a very flat impression that it was neither intentionally composed nor skillfully skillfully lensed.

Stop "taking pictures of stuff", at least for a while. I get the impression that you're still an impulsive/compulsive snapper. Stop it, at least for a while. Instead, start making images per my earlier remarks in a separate post. When you're looking through the viewfinder forget that you're standing in front of something. Create the image in the viewfinder by placing and arranging elements. Stop this natural, but extremely unartistic, compulsion to include all the stuff in the photo; you're not a police photographer. As you photograph try considering, in order,

• Form
• Proportion
• Positive and Negative Space
• Tonality

 

[Michael G. Spille]

Cat shot.

Guys,

There was no sarcasm intended.
In fact I found it rather funny,and I got a good chuckle out of the replies.

After I read the replies and statements about the cat shot I looked at it ,and really,it looks as if this cat, was thrown into a ships container ,with thousands of packages of batteries{you know,the ones that you buy on e-bay,and last 1-2 days},,and was electrocuted.

Yes,this was a snapshot,that's all it was...just something that caught me eye and thought it was different....no artistry intended..

I apologize ,if I stepped on any toes


Mike

 

[Ken Tanaka]

Guys,

There was no sarcasm intended.
In fact I found it rather funny,and I got a good chuckle out of the replies.

After I read the replies and statements about the cat shot I looked at it ,and really,it looks as if this cat, was thrown into a ships container ,with thousands of packages of batteries{you know,the ones that you buy on e-bay,and last 1-2 days},,and was electrocuted.

Yes,this was a snapshot,that's all it was...just something that caught me eye amd though it was different....no artistry intended..

I apologize ,if I stepped on any toes


Mike

Well that will (again) teach me not to waste time on such stuff. I believe that my reply consumed at least 20-25min this morning. Glad it gave you "a good chuckle". Thanks for reminding me why I've resolved to spend little or no time on photo forums.

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...After I read the replies and statements about the cat shot I looked at it ,and really,it looks as if this cat, was thrown into a ships container ,with thousands of packages of batteries{you know,the ones that you buy on e-bay,and last 1-2 days},,and was electrocuted.

Yes,this was a snapshot,that's all it was...just something that caught me eye amd though it was different....no artistry intended..

I apologize ,if I stepped on any toes

I find it kind of strange that do you still did not answer my simple question. What is the subject of that picture of cat; a stuffed cat, a puppet of a cat or a painting of a cat on silk/other medium?

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Well that will (again) teach me not to waste time on such stuff. I believe that my reply consumed at least 20-25min this morning. Glad it gave you "a good chuckle". Thanks for reminding me why I've resolved to spend little or no time on photo forums.

Hi Ken,

I am in full agreement.

Cheers,

 

[Asher Kelman]

Guys,

There was no sarcasm intended.
In fact I found it rather funny,and I got a good chuckle out of the replies.

After I read the replies and statements about the cat shot I looked at it ,and really,it looks as if this cat, was thrown into a ships container ,with thousands of packages of batteries{you know,the ones that you buy on e-bay,and last 1-2 days},,and was electrocuted.

Yes,this was a snapshot,that's all it was...just something that caught me eye and thought it was different....no artistry intended..

I apologize ,if I stepped on any toes


Mike

Mike,

Cut to the chase, what was the "cat" object you photographed or the reasoning behind the placement of the leaves horizontally and backwards. We just need a base of your thinking and context. We can make art out of almost anything, but it wont be your art. I wont put more time into your work! We take this seriously. If you don't do this, we are unable to help you. Our time is precious.

Asher

 

[Michael G. Spille]

cat shot..

Asher,

The cat was a toy doll inside a showcase at the Nixon museum, I photographed it. The image you are viewing,is my photograph of the toy cat.

About the leaf shot: The reason I took the photo in a horizontal form , was because the leaves of the plant were shooting out....right to left, and I was concentrating on getting less depth of field to blur the background, was not concentrating on the things I should have been.

Also,I was using a newer lens{Ken,you were right again} that I had gotten a few months ago, but, did not really have an opportunity to use, and thought this might be a good test for the lens...obviously, I was wrong.

As Ken pointed out, it is totally out of focus from either wind, bad shutter speed, or movement on my part....not sure.

Ken, you hit the nail right on the head...seems you know me, better than I know myself...thanks.
I will go back to this location at a later date, and this time, I'll bring my tripod.

Again, I really want to thank all who replied, especially Ken (whose advice I respect, and yes, I did order the book he recommended)..that I am not trying waste anyone's time, but the replies concerning the "cat shot", I thought were in jest..and I thought you guys were joking with me?

I look forward to your support, and advise...from all of you.


Mike