Salvation
by danderson107

Comment by Jutilda:
COOL!!! Not quite as crisp as I'd like but a neat photo nonetheless.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by SJCarter:
* Greetings from the Critique Club *

First of all, I remember this entry from the Decisions Challenge vividly. That should validate any concerns you may have about it evoking an emotion - because it certainly did with me instantly.

This may sound a bit odd, but I found the model's completely non-plussed expression to be wonderful, but it was juxtaposed to her obviously excited breast. The nudity didn't bother me at all - I found it to be both tastefully done and appropriate, given the subject matter. I think that the image might have been even more powerful without showing the erect nipple. (That may be getting a bit too graphic for the Critique Club, but I'm just going with my basic impressions...)

I really like the blood pooled by the razorblade - that was a nice and realistically validating element to the shot. I did notice however, that it was very neat. I wouldn't think this is actually the case in an actual suicide attempt (and I've seen a few - they're quite messy usually). It did make the artistic statement of blood and gore quite nicely though, without being overly grotesque.

The focus and lighting were my main issues with the shot. The composition was superb and it definitely met the challenge completely. There is a certain degree of graininess to the model's appearance that is a little distracting (however, I understand that that may have been an artistic choice - it just didn't work for me). IMHO, I thought the shot was exceptionally well-thought-out and composed. I think you could have cut down on some of the glare from the lighting (however, again, I think this may have been a conscious choice to create a "harsh" scene - it just didn't work for me).

You did a beautiful job of creating an atmosphere and an obvious decision - however untenable some viewers might find the image. Personally, I thought that it perfectly met the challenge and was a very artistic rendition of a very real scenario. There is absolutely no remorse in the model's eyes (which I found to be both intriguing and disturbing).

Well I hope you've found my comments useful. I think you made a very strong entry for the challenge and an uninhibited statement on its own. Very nice work (IMHO).

Just my 2 cents...

Jimmy

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by danderson107:
I did argue with myself about which photo to use. Focus on the blade or her eyes. I always seem to chose the wrong focus. I do realize that I recieved more constructive comments but the negative comments were just negative. No feedback on the anything but content and some were just beyond the line to me. I definately think the blood was messed up. I do agree that it was too staged looking. Regarding the expression and nudity. She is in a bathtub. She should be nude. I didn't purposely add her breast. It just fell that way when I put the other elements where I wanted them. The expression I was going for was something along the lines of indifference. I wanted it to appear that she had just done it. Thanks and I hope no one is too upset.....Dave

Message edited by author 2005-06-08 23:37:21.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by aerogurl:
I also came to look at your photo because of the thread. I would like to comment on the way the image looks, not the subject. The image doesnt "feel right" in black and white. What is on the blade? blood is red and should be red in the image to give it more of a suicide feel. Without the red it looks like a razor blade on the side of the tub that is in the way of a nude photograph. Also, I realize that nudity works in most images, but in this image I just feel like the nudity was there for shock value and not an important part of the image. The focus on the image is also bad. You should be able to see the eyes, especially in an image where the eyes are looking at the blade, the eyes tell a story. I think you had a great idea, a great model, etc... didnt vote in this challenge, but I would have given it a 5.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by eostyles:
Great photo but terribly depressing... Nice job though. I thought this should have gotten better scores as well. The 1s are only from people who disagree with the subject.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by kate12303:
I came to your photo because I began reading your thread about the negative comments you received, but it seems to me you received many more constructive comments than ones that criticized you for depicting suicide. Anyhow, I would have to agree with many of the comments made. The expression on her face as well as the strategic placement of blood on the razor blade makes the photo seem too posed. Also, her breast showing seems gratuitous and detracts from the emotion of the photo. You should realize that emotions have a great effect on how people vote. It's my opinion that just as many people probably voted you high for portraying a controversial topic as people who voted you low for portraying a negative topic. I didn't vote this challenge, but I probably would have given you a pretty average score.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by insane:
32 ones ! 19 twos 35 threes !!!
Horrbile voting. People are soooo strange. Who gave this a 1 ? I would like this person to justify why why why? I think it's good because it shows the whole thing in a subtle way. Do you people think that if you put a 1 here you are a better person because you "did something " to stop it?

Cheers Infuriated insane.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by olliethemagnet:
Wow....im disapointed in your placing here and all the comments about it being too evil or horrible. I thought this was a great piece. 9

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by graphicfunk:
Too pretty. All we need here is a quick change of mind to make it all right. Bump.

Her Last...
by danderson107

Comment by Artifacts:
Controversial shot of a very difficult subject. You have to expect a general audience like DPC will have strong feelings about this image both ways and your final vote distribution will show it.

Smartly you resisted the urge to desat all but red. Your lighting is excellent with just slight but undesirable overexposure between the eyes and around the nose. Technically this is very well done.

The only real fault is it has a staged look to it. The victims eyes, if indeed she is dead, would probably be closed and the blade with the blood is much too neatly placed to be realistic. Suicide with a razor is a messy business.