Who's in Charge!?...SAY IT!by
RazorsEdgeComment: I note that 'technical comments and suggestions' have been made here and left with the image in the meantime.
There are, however, various other observations one could make regarding the context, range and 'feel' of this entry.
The obvious context is a game of chess, less trivial than many other games perhaps, but, as a subject, hardly enough to arouse more than an aesthetic interest. The aesthetics, here (as has already been pointed out), suffer from technical defects significant enough to prevent this sort of pleasant distraction. Chess players, too, have insufficient information to visualize that which the game is about -strategy. All this
reduces the potential 'range' of a shot like this one to near nil, and it does so before being able to attach any real latency, except for the one alluded to by the title. Most viewers, to my sense of it and also as evidenced by several comments, would perceive the title to be a stretch, put up as an addendum or afterthought rather than having any allegorical or symbolic qualities, given the image it is supposed to 'charge'. It rather weakens it, which is unfortunate, considering the meagre premise it presents without the help of a title relating credibly what the image 'is' or, more ambitiously, could be.
A 'good' photograph is one in which the technical aspects are subordinated to its inherent demands. A 'better' photo is one that radiates 'energy'. This capture, IMHO, fails on both counts. It fails auntie Peggy as much as it wouldn't rouse Bobby Fisher. The attempt at a gender-specific humour, too, can all too easily perceived as cliché and lack-luster causing no twitch or distortion of a facial-muscle when associated with a fallen chess piece rendered 'recognizable' at best.
This genre of photograph, IMO (and I swear, I rarely act as a proponent of technical aspects of a picture), would benefit immensely from aesthetic properties created via a discriminating eye for lighting and careful technical treatment during processing. At least, in this way, the lack of 'emotional charge' can be well hidden under a shiny hood.
May I be forgiven for what I have tried, here, to so frankly say.
Photographer found comment helpful.
