Holographic Ringby
ucanoeComment by SJCarter: * Greetings from the Critique Club*
First let me say that I think after reading your notes that most viewers missed your point/intent. Although the title reads "Holographic Ring", I think that many viewers probably thought that referred to the opalescent nature of the stone or the reflection (at least that was my impression). The fact that this is a photo of an actual hologram makes me see it very differently. I may be in the minority here, but your score makes me think that others probably misunderstood as well.
Without knowledge that it is a hologram, I would say that the image is grainy/noisy, OOF, and that the centered composition doesn't lend itself to mass appeal. With the knowledge that it is a hologram, I tend to be more understanding of the noise and OOF, but the composition is still an issue. Perhaps if you had shown the actual ring and apparatus creating the holographic image, the illusion (and resulting "transparency" connection) would have been much stronger.
I think it's really best explained by your own words in your notes. "While you can't see through it,..." Therein lies the rub, as people couldn't see how the shot related to the transparency theme. In addition, the technical issues hurt you as well. Lighting (hot spots), OOF, noise, centered composition.
That being said - and I'm not trying to hurt your feelings at all, just trying to give you an honest opinion for your score - I do think there are definitely things to be learned from the experience and some positives about the shot. Capturing the luminescent nature of an opal is not an easy thing to do, and I think you did that well. You also went through a lot to set this up I would guess. Next time, you might want to spent a little more time considering what the viewer will actually see as the final product, so that you can include more (or fewer) elements for the viewer to understand your vision more clearly. You had a GREAT idea - I don't think I saw any other hologram attempts in the challenge - so don't get discouraged. It was your presentation of the idea that needed a little tweaking.
I look forward to seeing more of your work soon. And remember, this is just my 2 cents - you can take it or leave it. :-)
Jimmy
Photographer found comment helpful.
