Illusion of artby
ParentxComment by Kavey: The Critique Club - test critique.
The angled lines of this photograph add interest in terms of composition and I like the way that the strongest lines cut the frame diagonally from top left to lower right. The contrast between the white tiles, dark shadow and bright sky is also interesting. I think this photograph might be stronger in black and white since the contrast seems to be between dark and light, and there is very little in the way of strong colour. Were the birds brightly coloured (a pair of yellow canaries or such like) the photograph would then have more reason to be in colour.
I find my eye drawn to the metal bracket in the centre (and more specifically, the yellow gum stuck to the bracket) rather than to the birds which I am guessing are the intended focal point. The bracket itself doesn’t seem to be the most interesting element of the photograph so I find myself being pulled between what I might prefer to look at and what the composition tends to pull me towards.
The photograph itself is reasonably sharp and exposure overall is adequate, however I would prefer to see more detail in the two birds. Since the frame includes a lot of lighter areas, where detail has been accurately captured, this means there is a lack of detail in the darker areas, including the birds. Since the birds are (presumably) the intended focal point I would like to see this reversed, and to have more detail in the shadows.
In terms of meeting the challenge, I am unable to work out by myself what the illusion is. Another comment you’ve received suggests that the birds are fake, but the photograph itself (including consideration of the title) doesn’t really communicate the challenge theme to me. Infact the title makes me think more about the word allusion than illusion.
Ignoring the challenge, the photo itself is satisfactory – I find the diagonals appealing - though not especially attractive overall.
Kavey
