Road and river

[Antonio Correia]

[katynoelle]

Antonio, I looked at this image, last night, and was a little bit stumped about what to say. I'm still not entirely sure but I'll make a try at a comment. On the one hand, there are some things that I really like. Firstly, the way that there are warm tones in the front with the road leading into the blue tones - I LOVE that! There's a lovely s curve. Juxtaposition of water and land and sky. Lots of depth. I like the two buildings and there's a lovely rhythm between the two. Also, it's sort of a mystery - an archway on the path. Lovely symbolism.

The thing is, I'm just not connecting completely with it. It doesn't make me gasp. I want to because I like it but not quite. The only thing that I can think is that I wish the light and mood of the foreground were more thrilling. Perhaps, there are some technical reasons beyond that that I don't understand (possibly, in composition?)

I'm thinking that you won't mind my honest thoughts, here.

[chrisc]

I have to mime Katy on this one...there's just not much there to grab the eye and hold its interest. Rather too much like a slide from Aunt Mary's summer vacation series.

[Antonio Correia]

I think there is a big confusion here.

What I photograph wherever I go does not pretend to be Art (Art with a capital A or simply art in lower case). The images I post are in fact, just post cards from holidays I try to do the best I can and know.

I am sure Aunt Mary - lmgtfy.com/?q=aunt+mary+summer+vacation+photographs - would do something similar with the photographs she took during her trips. Perhaps even better. What do I know of such a personage ?

And I am a bit like her: I photograph for pleasure and fun trying to do the best I can as I told you in the beginning. This is the most I know of her.

What interested me here was the large rock and the fragility of the wooden structure marking the way as an entrance perhaps, who knows, to the house at the end of the road.

I also think that the image is not one of my best.

Thank you both for commenting

[Barry]

I like what you have seen here, and I think the road has more to offer than the river, also lighting was not on your side with this shot, so I felt a crop and monochrome conversion suited this image.

[katynoelle]

Firstly, Chris, Sir. Honestly, I don't know if you were thinking clearly when you made the comment about Aunt Mary (unless, your Aunt Mary is an undiscovered Seraphine that you admire greatly.)

Secondly, Antonio, you are a photographic friend and mentor whom I appreciate and respect and just plain like. I'm sorry if my ramblings offended you - it was not intended. I've said in other places, here, before (but you may not have seen it) that the way I'm used to discussing an image is to just think - give my impressions - right or wrong. I am so sorry if my ramblings have offended you or aren't useful!

One thing that I do know - you want soul in your images! and, post cards? Well, I don't know about that.... (btw, what IS wrong with a gorgeous image that would work well as a post card? but that last question really is just 'btw'.....)

[chrisc]

It wasn't that I wasn't thinking, it was more that I used an American colloquilism/simile which probably wouldn't make sense to Antonio...that is worthy of a sincere apology...the point to be made is that it is not particularly a striking photograph.

I have to stand with the contention of this forum is to put forth ideas, images, retorts or rebuttals that try to reflect the quality of work presented - which in this instance wasn't particularly striking.

I think Antonio responded in an unusual manner, taking too much offense to relatively simple, but direct responses...it happens. My only concern is whether it will affect how I respond to anything else he might post in the future.

[katynoelle]

Chris, I do see what you mean by saying that you were using an American trend of speech but I speak, er, American and I don't think that this is constructive criticism in any way. There's a slight distinction?

[chrisc]

I was merely stating this image wasn't any better than what I would get from a relative's travelogue photos...

Given the usual quality of his imagery, I found myself wondering as to the why of this one...as it was so contrary to what I've come to expect. I dittoed the constructive side you'd already referenced. And, in other words merely reflected your wonderment as to the why of it....I just used a method of expression that perhaps wasn't correct for the population reading it. It is sometimes difficult bridging all the different nationalities with the correct choice of words. By and large, I think I do pretty well far more often than I don't.

[Antonio Correia]

Dec 12, 2011 17:52:19 GMT Barry said:

I like what you have seen here, and I think the road has more to offer than the river, also lighting was not on your side with this shot, so I felt a crop and monochrome conversion suited this image...

It does indeed However, it doesn't save the photograph.

I have to agree that it is not a very good one.

[Antonio Correia]

Dec 12, 2011 18:18:32 GMT chrisc said:

It wasn't that I wasn't thinking, it was more that I used an American colloquilism/simile which probably wouldn't make sense to Antonio...that is worthy of a sincere apology...the point to be made is that it is not particularly a striking photograph.

I have to stand with the contention of this forum is to put forth ideas, images, retorts or rebuttals that try to reflect the quality of work presented - which in this instance wasn't particularly striking.

I think Antonio responded in an unusual manner, taking too much offense to relatively simple, but direct responses...it happens. My only concern is whether it will affect how I respond to anything else he might post in the future.

Let's forget it, OK ?

It is just an incident of minor importance triggered by a less happy image.

Let's move on. I have better images I know. You will see.

[katynoelle]

Understood, Chris! I know that you're friendly and are striving for excellence!