this is for my get pushed challenge set by @farmreporter ... to shoot an image in the style of Bert Monroy... specifically replicating either Lunch in Tibron or Times Square with the focus on getting as much depth of field, detail, and clarity into the shot as possible... It needs to be bold and bright – and colourful (this is in colour ;p)...
this was NEVER going to work... not ever... and i should have realized this and said so... while i completely appreciate the creativity, effort and craftsmanship that Monroy employs in his work, i do not find the outcomes to be visually pleasing... as such, any attempt on my part to replicate his work is going to be utter and complete trash...
i didn't say "no" to the challenge because of course the point is to be pushed out of one's comfort zone... but in this instance it wasn't so much that it was difficult, as that i am clearly incapable of seeing the aesthetic that is Monroy's vision, and as such, anything i do is inevitably going to be more parody or caricature than homage...
Well done for having a stab at it.
I'll be honest - I don't see the appeal of the original. To my eyes it looks like a shot I'd take to check the camera was working... clearly I'm a philistine. ;)
@humphreyhippo me too i'm a philistine ;p in fairness, though, Monroy tends to make these images from scratch in photoshop... so really a lot of work and attention to detail...
Oh, Northy - you have nothing to apologize for. And I would definitely not classify either you or Humphrey @humphreyhippo as philistine. You both prefer different styles is all.
You have done an excellent job of replicating his work technically. You certainly paid attention to detail right down to the straw and eye glass case.
I was going to say that you have almost captured the light in Monroy's work but on further study I find you nailed the light. It is the brighter tablecloth and clearer glasses that gives Monroy's work a certain brightness and a fresh glow that suggests morning sunrise that your browns tend to absorb - giving your whole shot a darker look.
So sorry you did not enjoy this challenge - but then - sometimes doing something that is completely different from your regular work will help you in so way.
(I know that is the way it is when I reach a plateau in training or in dieting - it takes a major change even for just a week to kick me into the next level)
I'll be honest - I don't see the appeal of the original. To my eyes it looks like a shot I'd take to check the camera was working... clearly I'm a philistine. ;)
You have done an excellent job of replicating his work technically. You certainly paid attention to detail right down to the straw and eye glass case.
I was going to say that you have almost captured the light in Monroy's work but on further study I find you nailed the light. It is the brighter tablecloth and clearer glasses that gives Monroy's work a certain brightness and a fresh glow that suggests morning sunrise that your browns tend to absorb - giving your whole shot a darker look.
So sorry you did not enjoy this challenge - but then - sometimes doing something that is completely different from your regular work will help you in so way.
(I know that is the way it is when I reach a plateau in training or in dieting - it takes a major change even for just a week to kick me into the next level)