organic chemistry {noun} the chemistry of carbon compounds (other than simple salts such as carbonates, oxides, and carbides)

May 25, 2007

Mary-Katherine's house



Looking for opinions on these....What makes the image strong or weak? Why?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shawn,

I love just how real they are! No posing, no smiles, just a subject in her natural element.
I also love the shallow depth of field.

Brian said...

Shawn, Nice stuff. I like the middle closer horozontal portrait. Odd/intriguing expression. Reflectons on the glasses does somethign interesting as well.

Justin said...

Brian makes a good case for the middle shot, but I am partial to the bottom one. I like the neutrality of her expression, the environment that she is sitting in, and the composition. Of course your question is going to generate very personal subjective responses, so don't forget to keep that in mind. Which one do you like?

ben said...

Shawn,

i'm drawn to the bottom one as well. her posture is kind of unsettling. she seems just ready to do something - stand up, move, shift...not sure but i like the tension of it. it made me linger with it a little more.

all are excellent shots though.

Shawn Gust said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shawn Gust said...

Good points everybody...As far as the responses being of a personal nature, well, that it what I wanted to see. When I connect with a particular photograph, it happens on a personal level of some sort. Remember the discussion a while back "What makes a good photograph?" This varying point of view is what creates.....

To answer the question about which is my favorite: I personally like the bottom photo the best of this bunch. The complimentary tones mixed with the subtleties of light make this very organic scene a bit soothing, almost comforting. Ben speaks of this tension, of this anxiety Mary-Katherine is expressing. The conflict is in these elements. It works for me.

Are there any other views of this post out there?

Anonymous said...

I know this comment is a bit tardy but...I love the second one! Those glasses! Damn. The detail, as far as I can tell online, looks amazing. And the forest just peaking up from her shirt says so much. The bottom one: It's good. By no means do I dislike it. I feel it's not as powerful because of how much is going on. She's got so much character - the second one is focused on that and makes us imagine and want more. Great image!