The Birth of Envyby
harveymorrisComment by ursula: FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB
Hello, Harvey,
Your entry meets the challenge without any problems.
Colour / lighting: The colours are beautiful, especially the green. IMO it's hard to get a good green with many digital cameras, and yours is rich and bright without overpowering. Light also is very good. There is a real sense of dimension (depth) to this picture, even though there is not a readily discernible object. I like the textures throughout the picture, but in particular the texture of the red painting detail.
Focus: No problems that I can see. The painting is somewhat out of focus, but that works here.
Composition: I have more problems with your entry here; I would have never known that this was a painting by Bonnie Kline and a Murano glass pitcher if it weren't for your comments. I think it is perfectly allright to take a picture where what's in it will most likely not be recognised, but IMHO one would have to be very careful to somehow draw the viewers attention to something in the photo, to keep their interest, so that the picture is not dismissed as another "what is this?". I think another route in abstract shots is to work so that the viewer is allowed to see what it is without showing what it is.
I think that in a contest where viewers are voting on quite a number of pictures this "what is it?" becomes an issue. Your picture is clear and good to look at, but, again IMO, there really isn't much there to hold too many people's attention for a long time.
Overall: It's a good entry for this challenge, but it does not inspire the imagination enough to be a really good shot.
I'd like to say that you have some interesting picture in your portfolio. I like the architecture shots the best, they have strong lines and good colour. Is there a way that you can post larger pictures? The shots in your portfolio are quite small.
Take care,
Ursula (uabresch)
Comments, complaints, questions ... feel free to contact me
Photographer found comment helpful.