> please respond

-- richard (richardwarren@rcn.com), January 14, 2000

Answers

What strikes me as interesting about this picture is how effective simple arrangement and juxtaposition are in delaying the recognition of the womans torso and the large leaf. That imparted to me a surreal aspect to the picture. I thought at first maybe parts of a human form and plant images had been digitally spliced together. After looking a while longer, Im able to accept that the scene was real. A lot of thought seems to have gone into how to pictorially "defy gravity" as it were. Together both the leaf and torso form an arc that resembles an unsupported arch, and to me, this suggests forces. The human form is not immediately recognizable as a real body because the head and face are mostly hidden and because it is oriented upside-down. The leaf is not immediately recognizable as a real leaf because of the lighting behind it (at first I thought this might be a curtained window) and because of its large size. It almost looks like something is emanating out of the cup-like leaf. Juxtaposing the torso next to the large leaf rattled my size- perception momentarily. The overall composition suggests (to me) movement from the lower left to the upper right corners with countering opposite forces.

Whats unfortunate, in my opinion, is that a part of the models mouth and left forearm is visible in the frame. Indeed, she seems to be holding the big leaf up with her chin. Once I noticed this detail it became very distracting from the (I think) features described above. Almost like a glimpse of the "man behind the curtain!" Also the forearm behind the head breaks the arch. Anyway, to play fair, I think you either need to exclude the face or include it in the composition. Mentally extending the right side of the image I see what looks more like a very conventional pose. In this case, I dont think cropping saves the picture or creates the fine art image you were hoping for.

I hope you do not take offense to my critique. I genuinely found your photograph interesting and made an effort to look at it to the best of my ability, but such pictures seem to me extremely difficult (Ive never attempted a nude!) The above are only my opinions, hope they are of some use. Good Luck!

-- Mark Rovetta (1234hods@gte.net), January 15, 2000.

Richard,

I think this is a stunning presentation of a beautiful model. There was no difficulty at my end in identifying the human figure. I'm not convinced that the other element is a leaf; I'd bet on a sheer curtain, and possibly a sheer neglige with the strap over the neck. At any rate, the tonality and light are beautiful. And the presentation invites further exploration by not showing everything. For instance, I keep looking back to find the right breast. Also, there is enough face showing to hint that it matches the beauty of the rest of the form, but leaves most up to the imagination. Same with the arm. I'd be interested to read your technique if you would post it. Well done.

-- Tom Smart (tsmart@rconnect.com), January 22, 2000.

Lovely shot, except for that highlight on the object which is obscuring her r.h side. I'm sure it was deliberate but it looks like an accidental reflection. My eye keeps going back to it and leaving the dynamic arch made by hip/side/arm which is what, to me, puts the point in the picture.

-- Ken Munn (ken@pcm-marketing.com), January 24, 2000.

I love the shot but I think ( and I stress I think!)You broke the arch that you where trying to achieve by useing the leaf or what ever it is, and there is to much light in the upper right hand corner of the picture. If you have your own dark room you could try to tone it down by blocking out that patr of light.As far as the light on the subject/model It is dead on! Maybe crop the fore arm out in the lower right corner. If You have a model like that and the talent like you show in this picture you will have the shots you want! good luck

-- Mark Jones (jmjonesx3@aol.com), February 22, 2001.