Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.
Questions to guide your feedback
What are your reactions to this?
Other Information
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Image Description
I found this very light rock at the entrance to a sea cave. The contrast between the two intrigued me. They seemed unrelated to one another. Exploring the human psyche with this image.
Technical Details
GFX50R, 45-100mm, f/11
Specific Feedback
Is the cave too dark?
Does the cool color cast work for you?
Does this image hold interest?
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Loneliness, abandonment because of the very cool tones and the way the light rock looks out of place.
Your questions - the cave isn’t too dark for the story I see. As far as the cool color cast working for me, I don’t know that that is a legitimate question - whether I like it or not is irrelevant, no? The cool color cast and out-of-place stone tells me a story of loneliness and abandonment. Changing the color tones would change that story.
I do find it holds my interest, I think because of the very dark cave. It’s ominous and makes me wonder what lurks within.
Seeking shelter. Trapped. Lost. Alone. Tired. Almost calm. SO many stories here. There is a cyan/blue cast to the image which I very much like and to me tells a story about hopelessness and giving up, maybe even the calm before the end. The rock is clearly not in it’s element and appears to have gone offtrack and found a resting place in a cave safe from turmoil. Or, has the rock traveled great distances and at last found freedom at the exit of the cave? I have a feeling you added the colorcast and the rock would be more gray/white which would impart a less hopeless feeling. The blue/cyan imparts a real mood to the image.
This is a really well thought out and composed image. It’s beautifully balanced and tells lots of stories depending on how you interpret colors. The lines and textures are terrific. Now off to see what you’ve said…
Is the cave too dark? Not at all
Does the cool color cast work for you? Absolutely but I could tell that you created it.
Does this image hold interest? Very much so. I love this image.
While some may interpret this image as light emerging from darkness, I actually see this as the opposite – the light going in and exploring the darkness. Either way, I think this image tells a great story no matter how you look at it.
Is the cave too dark?
No, I think it looks about right.
Does the cool color cast work for you?
I think that the colour cast really suits the scene.
Does this image hold interest?
For me it does. I enjoy images such as these that my mind can use as a jumping off point to create stories.
I also thought of calling it ‘The Stranger’ but felt that then I would be influencing your impression. My reason for that title is that the white rock seems to be superimposed over the cave image. It doesn’t belong there in a way. I’ve been recently admiring Diane Arbus’ work. Perhaps there has been some influence from her.
Hi Igor, When I first looked at this I thought it would be an allusion to Plato or enlightenment. But philosophy aside, I like the image quite a lot. The contrasts between the fine light tracery and the dark brown lines on the cave walls and the details on the light rock. The darkening as you go further into the cave is nicely handled. Did you consider B&W for this? Despite the soft low contrast lighting it might make it a stronger metaphor. Good stuff.
I’ve been away from the site for various reasons, but today I decided to take a look. I was scrolling down and as soon as I saw this photo, I knew who it was before I saw the name.
I just love it.
I love the composition, I love the tones, I love the use of shadows.
