So I'm way out in the woods when I come across a deer stand. I don't like this, not for anything about hunting but it makes me nervous that someone is lurking around with a weapon. So, I'm a little on guard as I look around when out of the corner of my eye I see a face. I did a double take and there I found GI Joe. Well his head anyway. Wedged into a log. It is only about two inches long max. After my first surprise, I had to take some shots. It was a little creepy! But it was also photogenic!
Yes, this is weird. But also whimsical. I like it.
I'm going to post a shot I think you'll agree is also creepy. Look for it in the B&W group.
I do like the second one with the sunray coming from behind. The first one is good too. I think a crop 4x5 and a little bit more light enhancing the texture of the wood could create a kind of way to control the look up to the head. That's a basic proposition on order to give the wood a chance to be enlighted.
Thanks David! I have wished that I took this one from a wider veiw point as I like the downward line of the wood but not the position if the face looking off the edge of the image. Oh well! I try your suggestion and see if that helps! Thanks!
That first version is creepy and bizarre - good bizarre. I'd usually position a face looking into the image, but in this case I think his gaze, directed outward, fits the mysterious nature.
To put my gut feeling more explicitly, I find myself fantasising that he's part of something more within the log, like some invading space army (perhaps because you call him GI Joe) and he's looking to see if the rest are arriving, an even more disturbing prospect! The dark, barely discernible wood fits this theme of hidden goings-on. Perhaps his pallor even suggests he lives in the dark of the log.
This may sound fanciful (and obviously is in one sense), but research shows that we "read" scenes with human faces and any suggestion of threat instantly, before we're even conscious of seeing anything (a few microseconds, whereas our reaction time is usually hundreds of microseconds), before our "rational" frontal lobes get to work figuring out what's really going on. I think this image taps into this, and hence the principles we commonly follow, largely geared towards our aesthetic senses and beauty (e.g. enjoying the appearance of the timber's texture, rim lighting), don't apply so much here. And I'm more of a sucker for beauty than most, I think.
I believe this is true. Even though this face is so tiny, it still pinged a slight fear response when I saw it. Wait until you see Phillip's!
I always enjoy your extended thoughts and fanciful ideas Chris!!
Thanks, Ruth. I guess the people who think I crap on don't bother telling me...