"Aquaphobia"--Comments and Critiques Please!!

[D-B-J]

For a school project. Feel free to ask me the setup, ill post it if someone wants it.

Regards,
Jake

 

[D-B-J]

Nothing...?

 

[OrionsByte]

Doesn't do much for me, but I'm not sure I can put a finger on why. The head is centered in the frame for one thing, and I think that would work for symmetry if the head was lined up with the nozzles, and the nozzles were centered, but the way they're arranged in this composition just kind of creates tension, and not in the way you're trying to communicate it.

Part of the problem with having the head centered is that there's not much of the frame dedicated to the person - all that up at the top where the edge of the spa/tub/whatever is, is just negative space. If the composition had aimed a touch lower you'd solve those problems and also avoid cutting off the elbows. Plus it would get rid of the distracting highlight at the top left.

I'm also not really seeing a "phobia" on the expression. It kinda looks (to me) like he fell backwards in to the water and it's just shockingly cold.

Anyways, those are just my opinions, but I really do feel it would be stronger if the camera had been aimed lower by about 1/4 of the frame.

 

[D-B-J]

I really didn't want more than what was in the frame--i tried to balance it between the amount of body and the amount of tub. There is about two thirds body and one thirds top, to break it up into three horizontal sections.. so i don't get what you are saying there.. It's not "negative space", its context.

Regards,
Jake

Edit:

 

[D-B-J]

ttt..

 

[molested_cow]

Ok, and your point is....?

This is way to literal. You probably didn't even think about what the topic really means to you and jumped in to take a photo of someone being afraid of water... I mean come on!

Afraid of water... why? Because of contamination? Because of dependency? What about the fact that water is the source of life and it's a contradiction to be afraid of water? There are so many conversational approaches to this theme but you settled with one that is nothing but some kid splashing water in the bath tub.

If your professor/teacher tells you "GOOD JOB!", you ought to fire him/her. Man I do miss school!

 

[D-B-J]

Ok, and your point is....?

This is way to literal. You probably didn't even think about what the topic really means to you and jumped in to take a photo of someone being afraid of water... I mean come on!

Afraid of water... why? Because of contamination? Because of dependency? What about the fact that water is the source of life and it's a contradiction to be afraid of water? There are so many conversational approaches to this theme but you settled with one that is nothing but some kid splashing water in the bath tub.

If your professor/teacher tells you "GOOD JOB!", you ought to fire him/her. Man I do miss school!

Actually, the project was "fears," and i have always wanted to take a "tub-drowning" photo, so i did. I didn't ask you to blow to hell my idea. And thank you kindly for insinuating that my picture SUCKS..

 

[scottfishel]

I'm not understanding from the image fear of water. I'm seeing splashing, but it could have been from someone falling backwards. I don't think I'm seeing what you're trying to convey.

 

[D-B-J]

I'm not understanding from the image fear of water. I'm seeing splashing, but it could have been from someone falling backwards. I don't think I'm seeing what you're trying to convey.

I didn't want it to be a clear and obvious "drowning photo." So i made it contrasty and cool, and the mouth open in "fright" to have that instant of panic.

Regards,
Jake

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Ok, and your point is....?

This is way to literal. You probably didn't even think about what the topic really means to you and jumped in to take a photo of someone being afraid of water... I mean come on!

Afraid of water... why? Because of contamination? Because of dependency? What about the fact that water is the source of life and it's a contradiction to be afraid of water? There are so many conversational approaches to this theme but you settled with one that is nothing but some kid splashing water in the bath tub.

If your professor/teacher tells you "GOOD JOB!", you ought to fire him/her. Man I do miss school!

Actually, the project was "fears," and i have always wanted to take a "tub-drowning" photo, so i did. I didn't ask you to blow to hell my idea. And thank you kindly for insinuating that my picture SUCKS..

You don't take critique well.
One reason I don't even bother.
The composition and framing of this image is rather weak.

 

[D-B-J]

Ok, and your point is....?

This is way to literal. You probably didn't even think about what the topic really means to you and jumped in to take a photo of someone being afraid of water... I mean come on!

Afraid of water... why? Because of contamination? Because of dependency? What about the fact that water is the source of life and it's a contradiction to be afraid of water? There are so many conversational approaches to this theme but you settled with one that is nothing but some kid splashing water in the bath tub.

If your professor/teacher tells you "GOOD JOB!", you ought to fire him/her. Man I do miss school!

Actually, the project was "fears," and i have always wanted to take a "tub-drowning" photo, so i did. I didn't ask you to blow to hell my idea. And thank you kindly for insinuating that my picture SUCKS..

You don't take critique well.
One reason I don't even bother.
The composition and framing of this image is rather weak.

But where was the usefulness in the critique? I want feedback on my composition, technical aspects, and other things like that as well. There was no direction on how to improve, but simply some 'idea bashing." What do you think of it bitter?

 

[D-B-J]

Doesn't do much for me, but I'm not sure I can put a finger on why. The head is centered in the frame for one thing, and I think that would work for symmetry if the head was lined up with the nozzles, and the nozzles were centered, but the way they're arranged in this composition just kind of creates tension, and not in the way you're trying to communicate it.

Part of the problem with having the head centered is that there's not much of the frame dedicated to the person - all that up at the top where the edge of the spa/tub/whatever is, is just negative space. If the composition had aimed a touch lower you'd solve those problems and also avoid cutting off the elbows. Plus it would get rid of the distracting highlight at the top left.

I'm also not really seeing a "phobia" on the expression. It kinda looks (to me) like he fell backwards in to the water and it's just shockingly cold.

Anyways, those are just my opinions, but I really do feel it would be stronger if the camera had been aimed lower by about 1/4 of the frame.

But i didn't realize i had cut off the elbows, so thank you for noting that!

Regards,
Jake

 

[scottfishel]

I didn't want it to be a clear and obvious "drowning photo." So i made it contrasty and cool, and the mouth open in "fright" to have that instant of panic.

Regards,
Jake

Jake, that's the part that I'm not sure comes through. When I look at the image, I'm seeing someone splashing around; I'm not seeing much fright. Perhaps if he were submerged. It's certainly an interesting idea.

 

[D-B-J]

I didn't want it to be a clear and obvious "drowning photo." So i made it contrasty and cool, and the mouth open in "fright" to have that instant of panic.

Regards,
Jake

Jake, that's the part that I'm not sure comes through. When I look at the image, I'm seeing someone splashing around; I'm not seeing much fright. Perhaps if he were submerged. It's certainly an interesting idea.

Simply more water maybe? Like an extra few inches, but still with "splashing" as in panic? I shall definitely have to try that.

Regards,
Jake

 

[scottfishel]

Simply more water maybe? Like an extra few inches, but still with "splashing" as in panic? I shall definitely have to try that.

Regards,
Jake

Could be. Perhaps a tweak to the surroundings as well. I'm thinking Saw, but I'm seeing clean and tidy. You may be able to add to the effect by making things... 'dirtier'.