The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Even when I was taking this picture I remember wondering whether there was enough to it for this image to be compelling. The light was low and what I saw, both water and rock, was mostly brown. Nonetheless I was able to see below the water’s surface just enough that it stirred my imagination. When I downloaded the image, I still wasn’t sure whether it was compelling enough to spend time on it. My impulse was to dismiss it, but I found myself coming back to it and finally flagged it as a possible. Almost a year later I realized that my draw to this image wasn’t going away, and that I wanted to see what it might become. But it wasn’t until I processed it (through DxO Pure Raw) that the colours really began to reveal themselves. After that, there really wasn’t much more to do besides finetuning the colour, deciding on a crop, a little dodging, and getting rid of a few minor distractions.
This is not a picture that tells a story. It is all about mood (here I go again😁). The mood I wanted to convey was that of emergent mystery, which is what drew me to take the picture in the first place. There are several aspects of this photograph besides composition that help to evoke that mood I think, namely colour, light, and contrast. The contrast was, for me particularly interesting because it isn’t just the contrast of dark and light but also colour contrast, especially between blue and yellow/gold, as well as the contrast of above and below – what is seen clearly and what is obscured. I have titled the image, “emergence” because I wanted this to feel as though something mysterious was arising, emerging from the depths and only just breaking the surface to reveal itself.
Specific Feedback
This might be considered an abstract because even though it is obvious what it is, there is almost no context especially in terms of scale. But I feel more at home here in Landscape and so I’ve posted here. I would be very interested whether the mood I have attempted to evoke has anything to do with what you experience as you read this image. Naturally, I am also interested in any other feedback you may have or suggestions for improvement.
Technical Details
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I see most of the things that you wanted to show (the subtle play of the colors and light/dark areas). I feel a deep sense of mystery. I don’t get a sense of emergence, though. The sense for me is of stasis, of things (feelings? ideas?) lying quietly and still beneath the surface, with only the merest glimpse of what those might be.
This image grabbed my attention as I was scrolling through the latest post. Your control of the mid-tones beautifully accentuates the minimalist quality.
To me, the image has a Zen feel.
Steve
Interesting. I made a very similar picture about 3 years ago and faced the same dillema as yours - post it or not. I eventually decided to not post it but now the question rises again. What I do remember in working on it is that I decided that the main point of interest was the contrast between the known and the unknown. That is - below the surface and above the surface. I therefore gave the above the surface just a little more prominance than you did. Thusly -
I realize this isn’t an initial impression request, but I’m going to put mine here anyway then go back and read your post.
As a kayaker I spend a lot of time on the water and often gaze down into it wondering at what might be there. Like this rock, some things do break the surface while most of their structures and entities remain below, unseen by us, they are intriguing. Our imaginations are our greatest strength. I keep saying I will buy an underwater compact camera and one of these days I will. In many ways that will satisfy my curiosity and expand my horizons, but will there still be mystery and wonder? Probably, but of a different sort.
Your placement of the exposed bit in the center makes me feel isolation and loneliness. The view below piques my curiosity and makes me think of what creatures call this rock home. I wonder at the algae bloom and dragonfly nymphs and turtles that need some sun. Conversely, the slight reflection on the surface reminds me of cloud cover on a mountain; as if I’m higher still.
Now I’ve read your piece, the arising aspect is certainly there, but for me the literal rocky nature of the scene reinforces the fact that boulders seldom move, and never of their own accord. Instead they are acted upon and subject to outside forces, water maybe greatest of all. It can be revealed, but only at the water’s dictates. Darn splendid in execution. Thanks for deciding to give it life.
Loving this, Kerry and I agree - mystery was one of teh first things I thought about seeing this. I also agree that it is about mood (and obviusly beauty). I wrote about how I don’t think photographs tell stories, but I have an emotional reaction to this, memories of places and people in days gone by pop up and I do thank you for that. Thanks for sharing.
Woh. This is really nice.
I find it very relaxing, very moody.
What I like most is the apparent simplicity but then there are a ton of detail to check around the picture.
@Bonnie_Lampley - thanks for you considered reply. Interesting that you see stasis, which I completely understand, while I have the sense of something rising to the surface from below. @Steve_Rosendahl - I like that you get the Zen feel, that certainly resonates with me. Thanks for taking the time to look and comment. @Igor_Doncov - Your take on the picture was helpful. Yours feels a little cramped on the right side for my taste but it also turned my attention to the right side of the frame to where I decided to crop a little from the right and the top (retaining the 1:1 ratio) and I think it improves the image overall. You can see it as the revised edition at the top. Does that improve it do you think? @Kris_Smith - your response is so thoughtful and much appreciated. You seem to be in agreement with Bonnie’s take, so that is interesting (i.e., static rather than dynamic). Actually, I’m not terribly concerned how anyone interprets my photographs - only that it has some sort of impact, hopefully at a feeling level. @holgermischke - Thanks for your feedback. I read your article and agree, that yes, while some photographs do tell a story, that is far from always being the case. So glad that this image touched into memories and experiences. @joaoquintela - Always appreciate your feedback - “relaxing and moody” works for me.
This is fantastic Kerry. I find images like this where the scale is difficult to determine to be quite compelling. Is it a mountain in Norway surrounded by a calm ocean or a calm stream with a small protruding boulder? The subtle sky reflection speaks volumes to me. There is less to look at in this image that in others, but so much more to get lost in. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed wandering around in it.
I’ve been meaning to circle back to this one once my schedule caught up Kerry, because it’s one of my favorites that you have posted. I know you strive for mood in your images, and I got a kick out of the fact that you didn’t post this as an “Initial Reaction” image.
For me, this evokes a strong feeling of depth and longing; the transition from what is known and what is unknown. The subtle play of colors and the slow loss of detail as the eye sinks into the image is just wonderful. I do think the crop hits the sweet spot.
…now that I’ve read your Description, I’ll add that I find it interesting that our two takes are similar, yet different. You noted emergence, where I am feeling submergence. This calls me to the deep, the metaphysical; a feeling of falling into the image, not rising out of it. Fun stuff.
@Paul_Holdorf - Than you for your kind thoughts and insight. Much appreciated. @John_Williams - I am very touched by your insights and taking the time to share them. From one metaphysician to another - I salute you.
