square? there is more..by
cq107Comment by dsidwell: Greetings from the Critique Club!
From looking at your other superb work, you seem to have a real gift for creating mood, and this is no exception. I certainly think it fits the challenge, though I assume others did not. I like the creative interpretation of symmetry, though it may have been unclear or unacceptable to others. Your wonderful use of color here really gives this image some punch. Using Photoshop to saturate the greens worked well without making the image look "doctored." I also like how you've cropped it to a shallow rectangle, providing us with one more constraint and making us focus right on the stones and the fountain.
The fountain in the middle adds another bit of interest here, though it might be better a little more toward the center of the stone, but not in the center. Of course, then you'd lose your marvelous point of view of the other stones. Maybe there's a way to finagle it, have your cake and eat it too. What really gives this image its stability are the tree trunks that anchor everything to the top of the photo with an assumed continuance through the bottom.
Your focus and use of line and form are excellent here. I find the various textures engaging and interesting.
If there is any fault with this photo, it may be simply that I don't know what to think or feel. It does not create any strong emotional and/or intellectual reactions, even with your title. I am unsure what to feel or what to think. The image does not appear sad nor happy nor solemn nor celebratory. Even with the great light you've captured, it still retains a detachedness that I can't seem to bridge. It does not seem to be a "study" of color or form or shape or light, and it does not seem to be hinting at any "message" or targeted emotion. So I'm just confused, and I may be alone and stupid (which I often am!), or I may not be alone.
So technically, I can find little to help you. Artistically, and most subjectively, you may want to see how you can make your focus and point here as clear as it is in your other top photos that are so enjoyable. Or you can just consider me a little on the daft side as it's late at night for me!
Keep up the great work!
David
Photographer found comment helpful.
