Thanks for comment on my shot. And yes I do like the ilford film, especially for sharp contrast such as the shots i took at the Lincoln Memorial. I would like to comment on your shot here, however what can I say that everyone (especially Marc) didnt say Good job on this. Next time have grandma make some warm pudding before bedtime. Might help you sleep. (8)
thank you so much marc. you have just made me incredibly anxious to go back there and retake the shots! i appreciate the help tremendously.
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Marc Gougenheim{K:5398} 1/17/2003
I just read your reply, John, and I'm glad to see that I got your intent at least. Then you asked how to achieve a successful graphical image of this kind...
Well, what immediately came to my mind is that the highest rated shot on Usefilm happens to be an absolutely graphical image, and by the way, a typical graphical image. Top-rated, page 1, pix 1. Take a look. What strikes you ? Colors ? Yes, of course. But if you shoot in Black and white, then, too bad for the colors - can't rely on them anymore...
So, what else ? Lines, of course. Just count. 2 lines in this top-rated image !! Not even a little something elsewhere. Well, that's why it is top-rated. It is actually very simple to be simple and to transfer this simplicity to an image, but it is complicated if you haven't really decided to be simple...:-) Minimalism is the art of erasing bits of reality, all, except 1 or 2...
The more you erase, and the more beautiful what's left is, the better the shot will be - and the more PURE, too...
In your case here, you actually just needed the lamp and the chair that receives it, as you said yourself, so why bother with anything else if your goal was just a pure and beautiful graphical shot...?
You've got the beautiful arm of the dark chair, then a great toning on the bright chair. Then the lamp. Stop. You don't need the background at all imo, especially not if it is in anyway disturbing. You could even cover it with a black cloth, after all...
The light is already perfect here. Now the question is:
1) Which part of the lamp do you really like and want in the frame - top...or...?
2)What do you do with your 3 elements ? Meaning, how do you compose your shot. That's it. If you find the right answer to that question, you'll get what you are looking for. You may need to go nearer, or to go panoramic, or I don't know what, but that's all there is to do. So take your time, and just do it. I'm sure you'll get a great shot of this very soon. You obviously have the eye to achieve it.
marc...what can i say! your critiques are so in-depth...i can't help by say "THANK YOU!" :)
""Pure" is the word that comes to my mind... a very "pure" image... Am I on the right track ?" yes, that is definately on the right track. i really was going for a graphical image, but my main focus was on the lamp, chair, and couch together (mostly the chair, as i love the way the light slowly dims). as for the lines and the floor, that was on my mind the whole time i was composing the image...but mostly because the horizontal lines in the house in this scene are slightly crooked. what i was really going for here was something that looked classic (even classy), crisp, and clean with nice tones...but i also wanted to represent a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. if anyone has any suggestions as to how to achieve such an atmosphere with a photo like this, i'd love to hear them! thanks again everyone:)
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Marc Gougenheim{K:5398} 1/16/2003
Tough one (to critique)... especially given the fact that the reason why you took this picture was that you couldn't sleep...:-) I'd be interested in understanding your photographic goal, here...
It looks as if you were going for a graphical image, paying attention mostly to the foreground light and the lamp's rigid straight line... all this in order to get a sober, quiet mood... "Pure" is the word that comes to my mind... a very "pure" image... Am I on the right track ?
The composition is balanced in an interesting way, top left dark bottom right bright, then bottom left dark, top right bright... Not so clear that this was going to be balanced actually, since the left is darker than the right overall, yet it works... probably due to the fact that the lamp is at one third from the right edge...
Light itself is neat too, even very nice...
But then come the disturbing questions... What about the lack of details top left - ok or not ? What about all these vertical lines and horizontal lines from the shelfs in the background - ok or not ? What about the fact that top left and bottom right contain virtually no interesting visual elements at all - ok or not ?
I'd say that the end result is good, but not great... Here is why - imo of course:
1) This isn't really a graphical image, or as such it isn't perfect, because of the floor and the lines in the background - which make the image too complex...
2) This isn't really a mood shot, because it isn't telling a story, and is too rigid to be strong emotionally.
So what is it ?
A bit of both, and as such, it is a paradoxical image to me. It doesn't show a very clear and focussed goal. It kills 2 birds with one stone basically. As such it is certainly interesting and intriguing for a few minutes, but I doubt many people would want to hang it on their whole for more than a week or 2.
Basically, you have masterfully executed a picture that lacks depth of analysis. That's at least the conclusion I have reached.
I often face that problem myself. Each time I do not have aclear intent, I somehow save the shot by simply making it "look good". Then later, my pictures often lose appeal for me, because I realize how empty they were; because I realize that techniques and receipies aren't enough; because I realize, basically, that pictures that ARE good don't simply LOOK good...:-)
But don't get me wrong, it is still a good-looking shot, and I enjoyed looking at it. It just made me want for another better shot, that's all...
vincent, i love the lens:). it's pretty necessary to have a bright lens in order to focus at night. as for the film, pan f+ and fp4...my two favorite black and white films thus far:)
petra, the feeling of the rest of the house is very relaxed, much as what has been presented in this photo. next time i go up there i'll be sure to do some shots just for you;)
I do that too --when I am up late I take photos. My husband "hates" it..sort of because I always takes photos of him. I like this shot though. I like the shadows and the light and the composition.
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