Root stories

[Leo_Catana]

Project Images

Gallery Overview

Individual Images

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Image 6

Project Description

These images are made on a stony beach on the Eastern side of a small Danish island named Bornholm, located in the Baltic Sea. Relentless tidal cycles have moved gravel over, against and away from the roots of the trees standing on the shore, affecting their growth as well as creating wounds on the exposed roots. Still, the trees live their cycles, the wounds heal, and the trees thrive.

Self Critique

Ideally, the 6 images should be viewed in one horizontal series, from image 1 to image 6: My intention with this ordering was to use the horizontal lines in the images as tie-ins between the 6 images. I like the flow between the 6 images, established by these lines, the love stories of the roots, and I also like the play of texture, patterns and forms. However, I am fairly sure that many things could be improved in this project, since I have little experience in this genre.

Creative Direction

As so often, I am not quite sure what my vision is, because my eyes and emotions are slightly ahead of my thoughts. If pressed, however, I would say that that the images convey a story about challenge, resilience and victorious love in nature, despite all odds.

Specific Feedback

All four categories.

Intent of the project

Additional Details: Serious fun. I like the images, but I must admit that I am a novice in this context and that it would be far too ambitious to submit these images to a gallery or a magazine. So, my intent is simply to get some experience and to know how other photographers react to the project: Is it of interest at all? What works? What does not work? Should I think along different lines? Could you see any destination for a project like this?

[Marylynne_Diggs]

Hi Leo,
I don’t know why, but people seem reluctant to critique projects. Mine has been up for over a year, and only two critiques, and the reason for posting it has now passed. Let me see if I can jump-start this for you.

What I like about this one is the apparent simplicity of each of the images and the tonal consistency of it as well. I think there could be a slight break in the tonal consistency, and that might create a little more interest across the project.

Theme coherence and execution: I think this is good. I can see the concept of resilience or maybe even something else–persistence? How even things that are disconnected or no more are reaching toward something. The only thing I will say about that theme is that without the tree or whatever is connected to the roots, they are not necessarily obviously roots. Some could be driftwood, etc.

Visual consistency across the series and Variety within the Theme: This feels solid to me. I tried to follow them horizontally even as I scrolled vertically, and I think you did a nice job there and I agree it feels more consistent when viewed that way. I also think there is just enough variation to keep it interesting.

Narrative or story-telling aspects: I think the images are just abstract enough to not really lend themselves to a story-telling approach. That said, we do see contrasts in texture and natural elements, which speaks to a kind of effort to maintain life in an inhospitable location.

Technical execution supporting the theme: I think you achieved this. It’s a huge departure, but it just struck me that color would tell the store perhaps more, as the living and the rocky environment would contrast more with each other.

Emotional impact of the series as a whole: I can’t say that the project had a huge emotional impact. It might be that we need one or two images that a consistent with the them but more markedly different to make us go “wow!” And that might perhaps be one that shows what is growing from the roots? Maybe? I don’t know. I don’t want to ruin the consistency.

Potential for further development or expansion of the project: I think this project could continue and you might find one or two images that create a wowza emotional impact.

I’m hoping you get some additional commentary here.
ML

[Leo_Catana]

Dear Marylynne Diggs, thank you so much for taking time out to write such a careful comment. I’ll save your comment, think about it and re-visit the images with your suggestions in mind. Best wishes, Leo