A dark and mysterious one! I've just spent a few days in the parks (thank goodness!). It was great to get outside. I have a bunch of ICM i'm filtering through. This is my favorite so far.
Feedback welcome!
EDIT:. I decided to put the rest of these in as the feedback will likely be the same - you either like them or hate them! Too dark or not .... 🤗
This is one of my favourites among your many fine images, Ruth. Very you, with the abstract, moody blue tones. I love blues, so that's a good start with me, and here it adds to the somwhat nocturnal mysterious atmosphere. I think a big print would really create a sense of a window into another world. Love it! If only I could get my camera off the tripod...
Thanks Chris! I do think if you when I 'go blue'! Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking these might have crossed over to too dark. Now that I've added the other two, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts again.
Agree with Chris wholeheartedly, Ruth--these are keepers for sure! In order of preference, I think I'd go 1-2-3, with the first being my favorite by a decent margin. With the first, I really get that feeling of a dark and gloomy path through the woods. The light and pattern of what I assume are tree trunks really pulls you through the image and adds an element of depth that I'm not sure the other two have. I think the vibe in the other 2 is similar, but a bit more abstract--more a study of color, patterns, and mood. Well done, as always!
Hi Ruth. I have said in the past that I think that many ICM images fail because basic considerations for the aspects that make an image interesting (eg composition, lighting and form etc) have been neglected.
That is not the case in this image. You have been thoughtful in both composition and lighting, using ICM as an additional tool to help create mood.
ICM when done well ads a layer of mystery, and for me allows the viewer to build their own stories. Like Chris I feel these have a nocturnal feel, with the moon highlighting he path etc.
Well done promoting the technique, I think I feel Chris edging more and more over to the dark side ….
BTW - #1 is my favorite, then #3. #2 doesn't have as much of a story to tell.
Thank you Alan! I am so happy the you inspired me to try this technique. I love it! And, I agree that, when doing a technique-driven shot, it is easy to focus solely on the technique. I'm trying to avoid that and appreciate the encouragement!
Agree with Josh & Alan, Ruth, that the first is the best.
The first, to my eye, has more subtle complexity in its composition, making it more dynamic than the others. It has a shimmering quality for me and an ambiguity. The second is redolent of hanging ropes or vines, evoking a different atmosphere - of a jungle perhaps, or a curtain. For me though, unlike Josh, the third is less abstract, suggesting tree trunks too explicitly, and suffering by comparison.
The best is the enemy of the good.
Very interesting how people's brains interpret things differently. To my eye, the added layer of depth in the first image created by some of the tree trunks beginning in the middle of the image--as well as the lit up path bringing you through the image--made it more identifiable as a forest and tree trunks. The trunks in the third seem to traverse the entire frame from top to bottom, albeit with significant light falloff at the bottom, making it flatter and harder for me to distinguish as tree trunks specifically, rather than a some sort of digitally created gradient. Take all of this with a grain of salt since I already knew that they were tree trunks from the description, but trying to eliminate my biases and go with my gut here.
I appreciate your thoughts! This is a new venture for me and it is the composition/impression that I need to hear feedback for. Like Alan was saying above, I don't want them to be "trick shots". Thanks again for your input Josh!
Thanks Chris! The first one is definitely the favorite for me as well. I appreciate your thoughts about all of them. I think getting the trail in the first (which looks like ground fog) really helps that image. 🤗
These are superb abstracts!!! Really texture-ful, haha :-D
Got to admit that I'm not so into abstracts, but that said, I really like these. One thing I'd offer would be to set up so that the light source in the first shot would be at the top left Rule of Thirds intersection. I think it might provide better overall balance for the image. That aside, I like your use of color and tone in the image.
Thanks a bunch Willy - for the kind words and suggestion!
I feel your "wood wind collection" is particularly strong when combined. The scenes in which the path is more apparent gives context to the darker, moodier one, letting the mind fill-in. Together, they can represent seasons, phases through one's life, etc. If you can find a way to display them together i.e. 3 to a triptych or similar, it may work well.
I'm thinking these would look very cool printed on metal and yes, these were intentionally grouped in a way where the path looks like it winds.
i LOVE this suggestion. THANK YOU!!!