Heart of Darkness

Critique Style: Initial Reaction

Please share your first response before reading the hidden notes below. The photographer is looking for an unbiased initial impression.

Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical

Questions for Viewers

For you, what emotions does this evoke?

About This Image

For me, the word “rainforest” evokes enjoyment of a wonderful natural complex of plant and animal life which I can explore for hours on end, only scratching the surface of its possibilities. But the word “jungle” portends something much darker, a place from where, if you get lost, you may well never reemerge. This picture makes me feel that I am lost in the jungle, a terrifying experience. It is an ICM taken in the cactus garden of our local arboretum in Korea, where I never get lost!

Technical Details

Camera: OM-1
Focal length: 60mm
Shutter speed: 1/8s
Aperture: f/14
ISO: 200

Single ICM (rotating) shot enhanced by Nik Color Efex Pro (Dark Contrast) - and by tonal adjustments in PS.

Feedback Requested

Does it hold together as an abstract?

2 Likes

The bright curved lines resemble a tangled set of large tubes or pipes that lead to the center. The image has a lot of depth to it and creates a maze-like scenario. I like this one as presented…Jim

For me, it creates some curiosity and a bit of dread. It’s a network, and while it is green and natural, it also feels like a conduit to digital darkness, a rabbit hole I could fall into for hours. Of course, I’m projecting my own digital exhaustion onto it. Looking forward to seeing what others think.
ML

1 Like

A lovely abstract, Mike. My first impression that it’s an ICM or very long exposure of a bed of ferns. In either case, I like it.

And I just read the description. Cactus garden is the last thing I would have guessed.

My first thought was water plants. Very well done , very pleasing to look at.

First impression: A lot of green Slinkeys. Never would have guessed cactus garden. Holds up great as an abstract. Just fine as is.

Thanks @Don_Peters @Jim_Gavin @Dennis_Plank @Marylynne_Diggs @Jim_Zablotny. Interesting to see that one of you had the same emotional response to this that I had.

Mike, the repeated arches of green give a feeling of dancing. The bright greens add a sense of joy. Without reading your description, I’m guessing that this is a multiple incamera exposure.

i like this very much, Mike. I initially responded to the beautiful colours and the evenly balanced composition. My eyes initially scanned across the whole image but settled on the area of lighter tone in the centre left. But I love the repetitive patterns and colour. Very nice.

Mike: A truly unique shot and one that I would not expect to come out of a cactus garden. Your sense of foreboding does come across as this could be an impenetrable maze despite the inviting color. Nicely conceived, captured and presented. >=))>

Mike,

Love this! First impression? What came to my mind actually was “The Twighlight Zone.” Not really a visual comparison to the intro images to the TV series… that is, until I converted to b&W. Regardless color or b&w, the repeating patterns and frame-filling arrangement is pretty mesmerizing.

No nits or suggestions. Oh, for fun here’s a b&w rendition.

Processing example based on the original image:

Thank you @Mark_Seaver @Lon_Overacker @Bill_Fach @Doug_Wilson : it’s interesting how an abstract can throw up a wide variety of responses. Lon, I like your B and W version very much - so suitable for the Twilight Zone. I originally had a much darker version, which was less cheery, but I think I’ll stick to this one here.

Hi Mike— For me this image has technology written all over it. The uniform curves and waves evoke a digital measurement and assessment that might be plumbing the depths of an area. I find this a very pleasant image and wonder what it would like blown up to poster size, 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall!

1 Like

Thank you very much for the EP!

Very good—a creative and very interesting result.

1 Like