Ok for this one I would really like some honest feedback as I can't decide if it's childs play or experimental. I got excited when I first did it now I'm starting to wonder.... I deliberately fixed the focus/exposure on a close up object then took shots of the trees so they are way out of focus and so bright you could read at night by them. For the college work I'm doing I have chosen experimental photography and although I was going to concentrate on early type processes I changed my mind AGAIN to do it kind of through the ages, so digital has to play a part. I inverted this and I'm hoping it doesn't look too much like a negative. Please please if you think it's rubbish then say - I have difficulty being objective about my own work and also one minute I'll like something then the next I hate it. Thank you!
My first reaction is that it's stunning because of the spooky atmosphere you have created. You have used the 'out of focus' really well and i mean that! before i say that i find the 'out of focusness' a bit unsettling. SO I think it's brilliant because it creates an atmosphere and makes you think/examine it again.
awesome colors, and it looks great as a negative. It looks like velvet, or it has the colors that velvet comes in. The out of focus really works! Wish I could see actual prints of this in glossy and matte -- not sure why, I just want to see the physical thing. In any case, it definitely a fave!
It does look like a negative, is that a bad thing though? I do like it but its not one of my favourites of yours. It feels too processed for you, you take such amazing photos of things that other people including lots of photographers would miss, in quite a 'clean' way that this much processing doesnt add anything for me. But having said that it definitely ticks the box for experimental so if thats what you are going for then its goody! :-)
@vase
Thanks Carla, I want to get it printed too as the screen stuff just doesn't do it for me and it'll probably help make up my mind @mariadarby
Thanks Maria, the college work is really all about atmosphere so I'm glad you felt like that :) @gwhit123
I think you've said it perfectly George, I love processing - adding a bit of contrast etc etc but I've never been a fan of too much and I think this is what it has that's making me uncomfortable, I'm going to print it and leave it for a few days as I always need time to think. Thank you so much for your honesty - I really appreciate that, I know it's not easy to critique and am always nervous about doing that !!
yeah I'm not too sure, looks a bit like too much photoshopping I guess like those painterly filters you can put over pics, but I only don't love it because it looks like that, I know thats not how you've done it.
I am not sure about this. There are things that I like individually like the colours and the lack of focus and composition but I only discover those on a closer look as the overall feel of it is over processed in my opinion, it doesn't look like a photo anymore and that is what I like most about your work, the pov and the feel of it being real photography.
I saw this using my phone yesterday and I needed to take the time and look at it on the Mac.
Honestly I am a bit lost, it doesnt contain enough shapes or definition to invoke a thoughtful reaction.
I'm not sure the dof works another way to achieve a similar effect is use a shallow dof but focused in the centre behind the two first two trees. I am thinking a narrow focus band of a foot. Like the colours a lot
@peterdegraaff I think I'm going to have to try something different - like your idea about dof - this was iphone but am thinking of trying with film - just got a colour enlarger and all set to go - busy week at work but I have holidays soon and will try then
this has an interesting painterly feel... i love the moodiness of the tones and stark lines, but it feels kind of abstracty to me in a way that i am wondering if it is intentional
@ingrid2101 This might look good outside of a photography forum, and I think if by experimental photo you're pushing boundaries within photography it maybe needs a rethink, but as 'art' experimental used to mean 'creative' it does work. For instance I see this printed large like A2 and part of a four panel scene you could link with fairy tales, and 'spooky woods' with the panels equally as distressed as this one and showing a panorama of a wood. Thats my feeling. I've been thinking experimental in the back of my mind for the last few days and I've thought of nothing. apart from pinhole stuff. What was that they did to the Saving Private Ryan reel, they soaked it in something to make it seem old, was it borax? that might be good to do with colour 35mm? @peterdegraaff
this is what they did to the Saving Private Ryan reels, any use for experimentation? They also stripped the protective coating off the lenses, which might be worth trying if you've a past-its-best lens. Would be good to shoot the right kinda shots with a real harsh, contrasty effect. anyway I'm just waffling. @peterdegraaff
@chewyteeth Waffle away if you're coming up with ideas and links like this - really cool - it is art experimentation using photography- but my overriding feeling is still o what a lot of photoshop. will check it out more later, i have next week off work and great to get info like this :)
My first reaction to this was "oh wow" and I am sticking with it! I love it. I think the color and texture is fabulous (velvet like) there is something eery about it yet beautiful. A Fav
April 3rd, 2013
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Thanks Carla, I want to get it printed too as the screen stuff just doesn't do it for me and it'll probably help make up my mind
@mariadarby
Thanks Maria, the college work is really all about atmosphere so I'm glad you felt like that :)
@gwhit123
I think you've said it perfectly George, I love processing - adding a bit of contrast etc etc but I've never been a fan of too much and I think this is what it has that's making me uncomfortable, I'm going to print it and leave it for a few days as I always need time to think. Thank you so much for your honesty - I really appreciate that, I know it's not easy to critique and am always nervous about doing that !!
Honestly I am a bit lost, it doesnt contain enough shapes or definition to invoke a thoughtful reaction.
Thank you so much everyone for honest feedback - I still don't really know - I agree it looks too processed and that is what puts me off. I think I'll print it to see how it turns out and put this idea in the bin :)
@peterdegraaff
this is what they did to the Saving Private Ryan reels, any use for experimentation? They also stripped the protective coating off the lenses, which might be worth trying if you've a past-its-best lens. Would be good to shoot the right kinda shots with a real harsh, contrasty effect. anyway I'm just waffling.
@peterdegraaff