Whirlwind Passion (Floral)by
NeilComment by KiwiShotz: ::: Critique Club :::
This is going to be a tough image to critique. Abstract is very subjective therefore there are no rules, no right or wrong.
First Impression:
A powerfull, attractive canvas of colour and motion. I find it strong and pleasing to the eye.
Composition:
Abstracts are difficult to compose in the traditional way yet you have used thirds well here and it definately strengthens the impact. The other 'rule' in composition is that an image flow from bottom left to top right has more appeal than other configurations. You could have a look at it after doing a Flip & Mirror which would put the centre of the swirl in the top right corner. I'd be interested in your opinion of the difference.
Subject:
The subject is powerful, it may have lost some voter points for being three colours when the Challenge was for two complimentary colours. Outside of the chalenge I believe this is a strong image and whatever the subject actually is isn't relevant as this is an effect, not an object. It is colour and movement and it does this so well.
Technical (Colour and light):
It's bright, it moves and you can't miss it. Despite my comments about it not being on-challenge, what more could you really want. The light obviously works as it has bought those colours to life and given them impact. Whether by accident or design, the drop-off to dark in the top right just adds depth to the effect giving it a 3 dimensional feel. In many ways that little 'feature' is lost to the image as it sort of fizzles out as you flow through the frame. So the Flip/Mirror might really work as that area would then lead you into the image with the impact building as you go. Who knows, some of the best results come from fiddling just-one-more-time.
Summary:
As with all abstracts, it has polarised voters. I believe that is a left vs right brain thing. Some people are uncomfortable with something they can't 'put their finger on'. Others celebrate such lateral approaches to everyday things. You'll never satisfy both.
We must remember that a challenge is not necessarily the sole arbiter of a fine or otherwise image. Having a popular image is terrific but that's not the only criteria by which an image should be judgeed. Photographs and artworks have specific places where they are powerful and strong. In this case, I would love to see this as a large format print in a corporate office reception area. It's that good.
Thanks for the opportuity
Brett
Message edited by author 2005-10-18 15:27:48. 
Photographer found comment helpful.
