Posessed

[Matt Halstead]

Hi guys,

Hope you're all well!

Thought I would share my latest image with you. As ever, comments / critiques more than welcome!

Many thanks,

Matt

Read about this shot and others at my Photoblog:

Imagespike

 

[Wendy Thurman]

Matt-

My impression is that this could have been a powerful photograph. Look at the image cropped from the left elbow up. That perspective speaks to me. The paper and the exposure of the writing hand in two places distracts from the sense of "possession". The subject's eyes and tattoos are arresting in and of themselves.

I think this is an instance where less is more.

Thanks for showing,

Wendy

 

[Charles L Webster]

Never mind! I see it now

I don't see the photograph.

<Chas>

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi guys,

Hope you're all well!

Thought I would share my latest image with you. As ever, comments / critiques more than welcome!

Read about this shot and others at my Photoblog:

Imagespike

Hi Matt,

Your photoblog is helpful in knowing where you are at. You mention each side having a chaperone and that's a great idea when working on the fringes.

I find this photograph to be "on the nose" and that's not necessary. In fact, I'd rather see this presented as two or more pictures. First the top part and including the nipples makes one image that has enough to puzzle and intrigue to annoy us. The other obvious image of the lower half also has the nipples but that now constitutes the upper border. I'd love to see more such images from this shoot, even rejects. I have no doubt that you might get some new insight by considering "What is sufficient to render an incomplete idea from your mind with enough to give a sense of the matter?" and not "What is so detailed that there's no room for our fancy, fears or fantasy!"

Asher

 

[Nichole Lampron]

I like this image. The more I look at it the more things I see. When I first saw this image yesterday I didn't notice the blur from the right hand moving, that is a nice touch and the way that some of the letters from the word Beast appear on the arm, just blows my mind. I thought they were actually on the arm at first. I have to look carefully at your work from now on so I see everything and not just let my mind assume what I see.

 

[John Angulat]

Nicely done Matt.
After reading the blog, I'm unsure whether the basement wall (or the confined nature of the space) could be emphasized a bit more.
Would it add or subtract from the effect?
Thoughts?

 

[Ken Tanaka]

Matt;
I like your concept for this image, to the degree I can discern it. My interpretation of the unstated concept here is to portray a psychiatric disorder such as obsession/compulsion.

The motion blur of the arm is a nice idea. The head tilt and somewhat aimless gaze of the model is a nice idea (although I would have experimented with other gestures and expressions). The abundant tattoos are a nice idea. The general lighting arrangement and setting are also constructive.

But here are the factors that weaken its strength for me.

1. This guy looks too clean. Way too clean, way too cute. His baby blue eyes, his manicured nails, his general GQ-ness really make this look like what is apparently was; a fun gathering of photography enthusiasts, models, and makeup artists.

2. The shot is over-processed. It looks like an ad (for Pilot pens? ;-) ). The general tonality and presentation have crossed the line deep into illustration territory. It's become more about the style of the producers than any emotive message.

I've no indication from your blog that this image is intended to represent anything other than a day of creative fun with friends of symbiotic interests. So in that vein I say Bravo! Every such outing is a good outing.

But as a portrayal of psychiatric disorder, which I'm admittedly only guessing as a motive, it's way too cute for its own good.

 

[Rachel Foster]

I, too, think it needs more confusion, more chaos. Terrific concept.

 

[Paul Abbott]

This makes me think of that offbeat show 'Charmed'. I wonder if the 'beast' minds?