The Man on The Moon

[DanOstergren30 5]

The moon will illuminate my room and soon I'm consumed by my doom.

I shot this just before leaving for NYC.

 

[runnah]

Your weak blacks always bug me but it's your thang so who am I to judge.

My only quibble is that I wish both eyes were illuminated or one was even darker.

 

[amolitor]

See, this is the "I am a lunatic" work that you probably don't want to show in the "give me a job" portfolio.

You've got an idea going on here, and it's not a bad one. It's just pretty outré and in the absence of a supporting body of work there's no way to judge whether it's an idea or just a complete ****-up.

Weak blacks, dappled light, it's got something going on. I've seen enough of your pictures to buy that you might have an idea here, that you're going someplace, that you've got a plan or something. Without that experience this looks like a WTF moment.

 

[DanOstergren30 5]

See, this is the "I am a lunatic" work that you probably don't want to show in the "give me a job" portfolio.

You've got an idea going on here, and it's not a bad one. It's just pretty outré and in the absence of a supporting body of work there's no way to judge whether it's an idea or just a complete ****-up.

Weak blacks, dappled light, it's got something going on. I've seen enough of your pictures to buy that you might have an idea here, that you're going someplace, that you've got a plan or something. Without that experience this looks like a WTF moment.

First of all, I am not a lunatic, and I would appreciate it if you stopped calling me a lunatic because you don't like my artwork because it upsets me.

Second, I appreciate your feedback and opinions here. That being said, I was told just today by the creator of Surface Magazine that this is one of my most iconic photos to date, and the tear-sheet should most certainly be included in my portfolio after it get's published in January. I honestly do respect your opinions, but that is simply what I see them as; not as the matter of fact, no other opinion is correct way that you convey them in. I like dappled light, and I do things a little differently because I don't like my art to look like everyone else's, and I've been doing it long enough to have developed it into my personal style. This does not make me a lunatic, and calling me this makes it very difficult for me to take in what you have to say without taking it personally. If you would like to critique my art, please do so without insinuating that I am a lunatic otherwise I ask that you stop posting in my threads.

 

[amolitor]

Of course you shouldn't accept my opinions as anything but opinions, goodness. So, I fully support you on that.

Apparently the "lunatic" word is getting under your skin, so I'll drop it. Of course I don't mean you're literally crazy, merely that you're not a herd-follower. Regardless, I'll drop it.

 

[runnah]

We all go a little mad sometimes...

 

[DanOstergren30 5]

Of course you shouldn't accept my opinions as anything but opinions, goodness. So, I fully support you on that.

Apparently the "lunatic" word is getting under your skin, so I'll drop it. Of course I don't mean you're literally crazy, merely that you're not a herd-follower. Regardless, I'll drop it.

I appreciate it.

 

[pixmedic]

i love clicking on your threads. always something sexy in there.
I agree about preferring to see the "shadowed" eye a little darker. I don't see it as a major issue, I just might have personally preferred the shadows to be a bit darker all around. I really like the framing on this, although, im not sure exactly how I feel about the branch across his chest. part of me wishes it were gone, part of me thinks it would have been cool if the branches were a little thicker.

normally, I am not a fan of the dappled lighting, but for this shot I think it works really well. His expression is also great for this shot. couldn't tell you why....I just think it is. You'll probably get better feedback from the B&W and artistic experts here, but there's my two cents for whatever its worth. regardless, I would call this one a keeper.

 

[DanOstergren30 5]

Thanks for the feedback pixmedic!

Also, just to share some good news: these "lunatic" shots of mine just landed me a meeting with Michael Thompson Studios next Wednesday to discuss an internship. They like this image along with a lot of my other more avant garde shots. They certainly didn't think "lunatic" when they saw them.

 

[pixmedic]

Thanks for the feedback pixmedic!

Also, just to share some good news: these "lunatic" shots of mine just landed me a meeting with Michael Thompson Studios next Wednesday to discuss an internship. They like this image along with a lot of my other more avant garde shots. They certainly didn't think "lunatic" when they saw them.

that is some pretty cool news! gratz!
I wouldnt read too much negativity into amolitors "lunatic" comment. he is quite often an advocate of the more unusual and "outside the box" type of shots.
I suspect he was just trying to find a more empowered word for "outward thinker", rather than trying to convey any lack of sense on your part.
unless i am mistaken, i read his comment as more of a compliment on your "outside from the norm" style than a criticism.

 

[runnah]

Congrats. I don't know who that is but I assume it's good news.

Just a starry eye'd boy with dreams of the big city.

 

[DanOstergren30 5]

Congrats. I don't know who that is but I assume it's good news.

Just a starry eye'd boy with dreams of the big city.

It's amazing news. Michael Thompson lands covers for Vogue, W, Harpers Bazaar, Elle and other big magazines. His work is really incredible, and having that internship on my resume is like winning the lottery. I don't care if I'm fetching coffee and taking out the trash; I'll be making contacts with really amazing artists in the industry and learning a ton about working in it.

 

[runnah]

Sweet, good get. Don't forget us when you are jet setting around the globe.

Well you can forget Andy.

 

[pgriz]

You know, Dan, there are some who consider "normal" to be a good thing. A few others would consider being called "normal" as fighting words. In the relentlessly homogenized global culture that we live in, being "different" can be both difficult (in the sense of the Japanese proverb that the raised nail gets hammered down), but ultimately is needed for society as these "outliers" are the one who push the boundaries and allow evolution into new areas. Andrew's use of the word "lunatic" is, in my mind, used to describe a person who is moving further away from the safety of the center. In Aldoux Huxley's "Brave New World" the "normal" people in a sick society would be seen as "abnormal" in a healthy one. The lunatics of a sick society may well prove to be the ones that bring the end to the insanity. While it obviously depends on the context, I would not be insulted if someone called me a lunatic. In fact, depending on who does the calling, it may even be a compliment.

As for your work, it is provocative, in a good way. There are questions raised, and (deliberately) not answered.

 

[rexbobcat]

You know, Dan, there are some who consider "normal" to be a good thing. A few others would consider being called "normal" as fighting words. In the relentlessly homogenized global culture that we live in, being "different" can be both difficult (in the sense of the Japanese proverb that the raised nail gets hammered down), but ultimately is needed for society as these "outliers" are the one who push the boundaries and allow evolution into new areas. Andrew's use of the word "lunatic" is, in my mind, used to describe a person who is moving further away from the safety of the center. In Aldoux Huxley's "Brave New World" the "normal" people in a sick society would be seen as "abnormal" in a healthy one. The lunatics of a sick society may well prove to be the ones that bring the end to the insanity. While it obviously depends on the context, I would not be insulted if someone called me a lunatic. In fact, depending on who does the calling, it may even be a compliment.

As for your work, it is provocative, in a good way. There are questions raised, and (deliberately) not answered.

lol that reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

[h=1]The Mad Hatter: "Have I gone Mad?"
Alice: "I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”[/h]