Friday, March 19, 2010

Wet Approach

Sometimes the metaphoric wind fills your proverbial sails. IMHO, this is the best picture I've made in a while. All the formal elements are working: composition, clarity, tonal range, light, sharpness, depth of field. The boat gleams, the clouds are ominous. The zig-zag lines of the rails and stairs pull the eye through areas that are not as they should be. Our colleague Victor of Gabriola Daily Photo, whose work and artistic style I respect greatly, left a one-word comment about this image on Flickr: perfect.

So I'm kinda proud of this but your reaction may vary. One person's rose is another's weed. As Robert Henri said in The Art Spirit, "Don't take me as an authority. I am simply expressing a very personal point of view. Nothing final about it. You have to settle all these matters for yourself."
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10 comments:

  1. Louis la VacheMarch 19, 2010 at 2:26 AM

    «Louis» likes it!

    It has a very M.C. Escher quality to it - and like Thursday's Arch Series shot, it wouldn't work nearly so well in color.

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  2. brattcatMarch 19, 2010 at 5:28 AM

    I agree with the Flicker comment. This is an exquisite composition, one that crosses the line into fine art. Beautifully done! Regarding your question on my blog yesterday, all words and images are mine. Thanks, Bob.

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  3. T. BecqueMarch 19, 2010 at 10:31 AM

    I agree - perfect! The formal elements aligned and you graced us with beauty.

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  4. RobMarch 19, 2010 at 1:00 PM

    Outstanding is more like it. perfect clarity. sometimes color interferes with the composition. The Mississippi River is high up here, and is expected to crest 20 feet above flood stage this weekend. Expect more water.

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  5. PJMarch 19, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    Ditto.

    I'm posting nothing but monochrome in May but I don't think I'll hit this mark, although, I'll aim for it.

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  6. Oakland Daily PhotoMarch 20, 2010 at 1:42 AM

    Can't help but be in awe of the range of tonality and the clarity of this photo. Like a gelatin print. Agree with «Louis» that there is something reminiscent of Escher in this composition. Congrats.

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  7. picmanMarch 20, 2010 at 7:34 AM

    Really an extraordinary photo!

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  8. VirginiaMarch 20, 2010 at 8:39 AM

    Parfait! I'll be using this as a fine composition example for my photog. class. Merci!
    V

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  9. lewi14@gmail.comMarch 20, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    Ja, wirklich perfekt (German for perfect). I think, a monochrome photo has that certain something.

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  10. CarraolMarch 22, 2010 at 4:46 AM

    You're right, the lines, the composition and tonal range are great, but besides, its a pleasure to the eyes!

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