Is there any artistic value or photographic value in this image?

[Tight Knot]

Hi all,

I am so lost on this image. I can't tell if I hate it, or love it, and can't tell why.

What do you all think?

 

[BrickHouse]

I love it! The strong silouette, the mirroring of the image side-to-side, strong geometry. Looks awesome! Per the other thread, I'm probably not "qualified" to give critique, but I buy art, and I would buy this (so maybe that is what indeed makes me qualified).

 

[Tight Knot]

Thanks BrickHouse,
I appreciate the feedback.
Which thread are you talking about, and why do you think that you're not qualified?
Most of us photographers (not including me) feel that critique on photography can only be given by other photographers.
I feel that most of us (including myself this time) would love to, and are trying to make money from what we do, so who better qualified than the purchasers of art. Those who actually put their money where their mouth is (mouths are?)

PS. AS a purveyor of art, what do you think this could go for, and at what size?

 

[BrickHouse]

Thanks BrickHouse,
I appreciate the feedback.
Which thread are you talking about, and why do you think that you're not qualified?
Most of us photographers (not including me) feel that critique on photography can only be given by other photographers.
I feel that most of us (including myself this time) would love to, and are trying to make money from what we do, so who better qualified than the purchasers of art. Those who actually put their money where their mouth is (mouths are?)

PS. AS a purveyor of art, what do you think this could go for, and at what size?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/aspiring-professionals-forum/359686-advice-professional.html
This one where there's more than a few members that seem to believe that until I produce professional quality images, I'm not worthy of any critique (I can see an unlevel horizon as well as the next guy).

As far as your print goes, this is one that I think needs to be big and showcased as a discussion piece. I think it should be big! Maybe even 4'x6' big. Perhaps on aluminum, given the strong contrasting blacks and whites. As for what I'd pay? If I had the right room for it and the money was there, easily $4-500? That may be way off from what you could get from general market but I also haven't purchased much recently (trying to make my own art now).

I really do think this is one of my favorite photos I've ever seen here. When I get done with the Navy and get a man-cave, I may be looking you up.

 

[astroNikon]

I'm sure there's many art critics out there that wouldn't know which end of a camera to look in to.

I like it, though it kinda looks like he's squatting a bit - but to put him in a good position with the opening.
and it's kinda half way between a full dark silhuoette while his face is partially lite.
in other words ,... I don't know lol
but I do like the concept and everything.


yeah .. not much help ..

 

[Tight Knot]

Thanks BrickHouse,
I appreciate the feedback.
Which thread are you talking about, and why do you think that you're not qualified?
Most of us photographers (not including me) feel that critique on photography can only be given by other photographers.
I feel that most of us (including myself this time) would love to, and are trying to make money from what we do, so who better qualified than the purchasers of art. Those who actually put their money where their mouth is (mouths are?)

PS. AS a purveyor of art, what do you think this could go for, and at what size?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/aspiring-professionals-forum/359686-advice-professional.html
This one where there's more than a few members that seem to believe that until I produce professional quality images, I'm not worthy of any critique (I can see an unlevel horizon as well as the next guy).

As far as your print goes, this is one that I think needs to be big and showcased as a discussion piece. I think it should be big! Maybe even 4'x6' big. Perhaps on aluminum, given the strong contrasting blacks and whites. As for what I'd pay? If I had the right room for it and the money was there, easily $4-500? That may be way off from what you could get from general market but I also haven't purchased much recently (trying to make my own art now).

I really do think this is one of my favorite photos I've ever seen here. When I get done with the Navy and get a man-cave, I may be looking you up.

First of all, a very large thank you, and Kudos to you for serving us and our country in the Military (still a proud American, even if I don't currently reside in-country).

Now that's an interesting thread. The first thought that came to mind reading it is, "HOGWASH"!!
I agree that photographers know a lot more than the general populace about photography (after all, that's what most of us have studied, either in school or real life, but not what true art is. Photography is just another form of art. Remember, opinions are like a..holes. Every has one, and most of them stink. Take the advice from those whom you trust, and the advice that makes sense to you, and leave the rest alone. All this of course, is IMHO.
I like the idea of the "big" and the aluminum.
Any ideas where to market this?

 

[Tight Knot]

I'm sure there's many art critics out there that wouldn't know which end of a camera to look in to.

I like it, though it kinda looks like he's squatting a bit - but to put him in a good position with the opening.
and it's kinda half way between a full dark silhuoette while his face is partially lite.
in other words ,... I don't know lol
but I do like the concept and everything.


yeah .. not much help ..

Thanks astroNikon,
Absolutely true!!
BTW, he's not squatting, he's just short, and wide

 

[astroNikon]

Thanks BrickHouse,
I appreciate the feedback.
Which thread are you talking about, and why do you think that you're not qualified?
Most of us photographers (not including me) feel that critique on photography can only be given by other photographers.
I feel that most of us (including myself this time) would love to, and are trying to make money from what we do, so who better qualified than the purchasers of art. Those who actually put their money where their mouth is (mouths are?)

PS. AS a purveyor of art, what do you think this could go for, and at what size?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/aspiring-professionals-forum/359686-advice-professional.html
This one where there's more than a few members that seem to believe that until I produce professional quality images, I'm not worthy of any critique (I can see an unlevel horizon as well as the next guy).

As far as your print goes, this is one that I think needs to be big and showcased as a discussion piece. I think it should be big! Maybe even 4'x6' big. Perhaps on aluminum, given the strong contrasting blacks and whites. As for what I'd pay? If I had the right room for it and the money was there, easily $4-500? That may be way off from what you could get from general market but I also haven't purchased much recently (trying to make my own art now).

I really do think this is one of my favorite photos I've ever seen here. When I get done with the Navy and get a man-cave, I may be looking you up.

I've followed that thread too
The problem is ... the best art critic is the one that you understand and agree with.

Critiquing has to start somewhere, people aren't a "best" critic on Day ONE.
The OP was a "pro" but had their own perspective on alot of things which contradicting many other "pros"
a Big Can O Worms lol

If you can improve your work based on input, then all is well.

 

[timor]

I don't understand, why are you unsure about this image. (Well, everybody is different .) It is a strong image which every one can fit into own feelings. It is not about discovering world, it is about discovering inner space in humans.

 

[Tight Knot]

I don't understand, why are you unsure about this image. (Well, everybody is different .) It is a strong image which every one can fit into own feelings. It is not about discovering world, it is about discovering inner space in humans.

The truth is, I have no idea why i hate this image. I really don't, I love it!! But also find something strangely sinister, (maybe a pentagram of the body in the opening? Bit of a stretch, I know) or just doesn't sit easily with me.

 

[pgriz]

I find that this is a pretty powerful image. Focusing on the symmetry, the man standing with obvious intent in the center of an arched doorway, with the fall of the shadow to the foreground – works very well. Slightly less good is the background of the other doorway and wall visible behind the man – these are not symmetrical to the image and "break the spell" created by the positioning of the middle and foreground. The other detail that catches my attention is the bit of pink colour in his ears, translit by the outside light – somehow that part is inconguous in the context of the more-or-less black and white nature of the image. So to recap – the strength is in the symmetry you've created by the central positioning, and by the pose your subject took in the doorway. The foreground light on the floor is partly symmetrical, but the stuff in the back breaks the symmetry. The selective colour of the ears (if that's how this was done) seems out of place.

 

[TheNevadanStig]

I have no understanding of "art" at all, it's just not my thing. But I do like the photo. It captures my interest. I wouldn't bin it that's for sure.
It does look slightly tilted? Maybe that's whats bugging you? It's a strong, interesting shot for sure though.

 

[pgriz]

I don't understand, why are you unsure about this image. (Well, everybody is different .) It is a strong image which every one can fit into own feelings. It is not about discovering world, it is about discovering inner space in humans.

The truth is, I have no idea why i hate this image. I really don't, I love it!! But also find something strangely sinister, (maybe a pentagram of the body in the opening? Bit of a stretch, I know) or just doesn't sit easily with me.

I'm wondering if that's because while we can see his eyes, the rest of his face disappears into the shadow. We usually use the hints of the facial expression, as expressed by the mouth, in determining the intent or attitude of the person we're looking at. Having a shadow "veil" hides this bit of information from us.

 

[Tight Knot]

I find that this is a pretty powerful image. Focusing on the symmetry, the man standing with obvious intent in the center of an arched doorway, with the fall of the shadow to the foreground – works very well. Slightly less good is the background of the other doorway and wall visible behind the man – these are not symmetrical to the image and "break the spell" created by the positioning of the middle and foreground. The other detail that catches my attention is the bit of pink colour in his ears, translit by the outside light – somehow that part is inconguous in the context of the more-or-less black and white nature of the image. So to recap – the strength is in the symmetry you've created by the central positioning, and by the pose your subject took in the doorway. The foreground light on the floor is partly symmetrical, but the stuff in the back breaks the symmetry. The selective colour of the ears (if that's how this was done) seems out of place.

Thanks for the critique.

I agree with everything you said about the background!! The ears were not selectively colored, it was the flash that was positioned on the floor behind the subject shining through the ears

 

[Tight Knot]

I have no understanding of "art" at all, it's just not my thing. But I do like the photo. It captures my interest. I wouldn't bin it that's for sure.
It does look slightly tilted? Maybe that's whats bugging you? It's a strong, interesting shot for sure though.

Thanks TheNevadanStig for the C&C.
It did look abit tilted to me, but no matter how I played with it, nothing helped. It may be that the sides of the arch are not perfectly straight, plus the shadow changes the angle slightly which again throws it off.