My Secret Gardenby
JaimesonComment: ::: Crtitique Club :::
First (and most important) Impression:
What a serene, peaceful and competent image this is. Japan comes to NC and it takes a photographe with a good eye to capture that and complete the illusion that it really was taken in Japan.
Subject:
It meets the challenge, you're sharing with us a place in your world that touches you. The task once you have the location is to communicate that feeling to others. Your commenters all got it. They respond and acknowledge that serenity feeling, it means they were involved. That is the first step to a good image, one that touches people with an emotional response. Your Ansel Adams quote in your profile says it all - so many people miss that.
Composition:
You have positioned the major element of the bridge in the thirds position, vertically and horizontally where it instinctively appeals to the viewer. In addition, the whole frame has the bottom-left to top-right visual flow which is also a comfortable image structure to viewers. It's impossible to say without trying it whether dropping the whole image in frame so that the bottom spec of bridge reflection sat at the base would improve the balance even more. I doubt it and you probably tried it anyway. Yes, the lantern does draw your eye to it and it's not on thirds which is why I suspect you have had comments about it. Having said that, I also suspect that the image is really 'flat' without it. My eye actually gets drawn to the tree beside it and I keep wanting to see the top of it. Iguess that's why I was wondering about the lowering of the image in frame.
Colouring:
This image has such a pleasing balance to it that its difficult to say that it could be better. It could be different but that may not be any better. The green cast of the water just fits the overall image so well. The green on green works well and then the yellows, whites and lantern just supply the perfect compliments to it.
Lighting:
The flat light of the overcast day does two things. First is gives the whole image that soft eggshell feeling with no highlights or deep shadows. Secondly it adds to the mood of the image. It is probably the light that gives it that serenity feeling.
To get to Ribbon?:
It probably never would because it's not a spectacular way-out image and is not designed to be. Not every image has to have a wow factor. Images are communications of a theme, story or feeling. A wow factor just for the sake of it is often inappropriate. This image has the serenity and calmness feeling. As such it would be happily used by a picture editor in a magazine article to convey that feeling.
Be proud of this shot, it works perfectly to communicate a very specific message.
Brett
Photographer found comment helpful.
