prayersby
posthumousComment by FrankRobinson: Hi! It is a challenge to 'critique' such an established artist, but I'll give it a shot...
My overall view of this is that you have taken something 'ordinary' - even something that most would shy away from since it is dying, and made something very beautiful from it. The title is perfectly chosen, but the photo stands well with or without it.
Technically: There is nothing I can usefully add - the DOF is perfect, using the flowers at the back as a never ending congregation and the focus on the front subjects is bang on. The lighting is also excellent, and - I suspect - natural? For a true high key, you could have gone lighter with this, but that might have detracted from it's 'natural' appeal.
Artistically: Very hard to say since this is such a subjective thing. My personal take is that the concept is great, the curves of the stems and the positioning of the heads is very appealing. I think a couple of elements impact negatively though: the cutting off of the left hand flower and the slight extra bit on the right hand side half way up are slightly distracting, as is the glare on the right hand stem.
PP: The BW conversion is spot on - I would normally go a bit darker but that is personal taste, and this is after all a high key challenge!
In summary, I think it's a great shot. I would have probably expected this to end up in the low to mid sixes. I think in this case it is only voters being sticklers for their interpretations of high key that stopped that happening.
Photographer found comment helpful.
