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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Results >> Why does this blue ribbon photo work?
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 09/13/2006 08:16:33 PM · #1

First let me say that I really liked this photo (9). I simply want to know "why" I liked it along with so many others. It seems to break "the rules". Anyone care to analyze for those of us hungry to learn?
--jrjr
09/13/2006 08:20:21 PM · #2
Technically flawless, great use of black&white, interesting and provocative crop (chopping the face but preserving the focal point - the mouth), drama and dynamic with the hand poised to come crashing down on the strings. This photo is fantastic.
 09/13/2006 08:21:18 PM · #3
1st rule = f*$% the rules..
 09/13/2006 08:21:52 PM · #4
For me I think its how crisp, clear and clean it looks... i too gave it a 9... the lighting is exceptional!!! it just works... thats what i love about it!!
 09/13/2006 08:23:30 PM · #5
Strasngeghost- I really did (do) not understand the crop. Again I will say that I loved the photo too, but would be afraid to try anything like this. Your comment about the focal point makes sense, however.
 09/13/2006 08:23:31 PM · #6
Originally posted by chispa:
1st rule = f*$% the rules..


You are so an Untouchable! :-D
 09/13/2006 08:28:33 PM · #7
First thing I notice is that the tones are almost superb. There is detail throughout the range of tones; the image doesn't lose definition. Compositionally this is an awkward crop but one that imparts a TON of visual cues to shove the viewer ever so gently towards the impending crescendo; the light lines on the BG emphasize the top-left to bottom-right angle of the arm, the lines on the shirt and even the direction the face is turned. The guitar strings seem poised like a baby seal about to be engulfed in a spasmatic attack like a shark breaching out of the water when that hand comes down to attack their solitude. This image seems like a frozen moment that invites the viewer to look, nay, study the swing of some cosmic pendulum.

Thanks just my rough attempt at describing what I find compelling about this shot.
 09/13/2006 08:30:20 PM · #8
There are many things that I liked about it.

I like how it all works well together; the title and what's being played on the guitar. The 'Power of Expression' with a power chord that's about to be played like the loudest noise you'd ever hear.

How it's composed, or cropped - the choices made there. The hand position, the fingers, the choice of guitar being used to deliver it and the complimentary strap.

It creates completeness. The light and toning, of course, makes it all work beautifully.
 09/13/2006 08:33:05 PM · #9
Originally posted by jrjr:
Strasngeghost- I really did (do) not understand the crop. Again I will say that I loved the photo too, but would be afraid to try anything like this. Your comment about the focal point makes sense, however.

Quirky crops can be a disaster - or a delight. I think this area of photography is still mostly magic and voodoo. I don't think there is a formula to tell you when you can and can't violate the "rules." Sometimes it just works, like I think it does here.

This is a great thread idea BTW. I love to see people respond to a question like this!
 09/13/2006 09:23:04 PM · #10
How would this entry have changed if the entire head were visible? Any thoughts? I mean, does it work BECAUSE the head is cut off or IN SPITE of that fact?
--jrjr
 09/13/2006 09:29:46 PM · #11
Originally posted by chispa:
1st rule = f*$% the rules..


Man... I so dig that this chick is on our team!
Speaking as one of the conformist Untouchables... :)

Message edited by author 2006-09-13 21:30:47.
 09/13/2006 09:39:39 PM · #12
Originally posted by Qart:
Originally posted by chispa:
1st rule = f*$% the rules..


Man... I so dig that this chick is on our team!
Speaking as one of the conformist Untouchables... :)


What is this team thing i read about?
 09/13/2006 10:16:49 PM · #13
My comment during the challenge...

"Ahh, another gem in this challenge. The crop is MOST excellent for the guts in breaking the rules. It tells me you know what you are doing and know when breaking rules works to good effect. The conversion to duotone is very well done. I fully expect this shot to come from someone with other ribbons. 9, could be the first 10 later."
 09/13/2006 10:43:11 PM · #14
The crop is wonderful. Have you ever watched a live performance of a say a rock n roll band? It can be any musician, but the majority when the cameras are rolling they tend to fav the subjects with center attention to the guitar playing, directly at the singer with microphone, a piano, keys shot with just the hands, or like this with only part of the expressions shown with the guitar being played...

This image is so up there in perfection that it makes me almost sick that it comes so easy for others...
Ok not really sick, I just want to work harder..

The colors and light here are so perfect, no highlights or harsh bright hot spots on the guitar (thats hard to accomplish)
everything is in focus...

Now I would like to see it more of the image without the frame, but then the frame may just be the extra ingrediant to why this image is so awesome!
09/13/2006 11:00:51 PM · #15
Wonderful photo. I was wondering about the photographer. Does anyone know anything about him?
 09/13/2006 11:08:45 PM · #16
Originally posted by jrjr:
How would this entry have changed if the entire head were visible? Any thoughts? I mean, does it work BECAUSE the head is cut off or IN SPITE of that fact?
--jrjr


There's a VERY strong diagonal being generated from the lower hand to the upper hand that rivets our attention on the hand poised to fall in a crescendo of sound and (self) expression. If the full face were visible, it would almost certainly work counter to that diagonal and mute the power & flow of the image, IMO.

Wonderful shot, this...

R.
 09/14/2006 04:28:12 AM · #17
I think we need to have an "Unusual Crop Challenge".
 09/14/2006 04:43:02 AM · #18
it is a weird photo. it's not "rock n roll" because it is in sepia... it's not classical either because it's the picture of a screaming guy with a guitar. Not something I want hanging on my wall.
but technically good and something the DPC-audience likes, landing it tops.
 09/14/2006 01:42:20 PM · #19
bump
09/14/2006 01:45:46 PM · #20
Like:
color tones
background
crop

Dislike:
Feels too staged
Cheesy expression on the face

If I voted would probably have given a 6.
 09/14/2006 01:50:47 PM · #21
The photographer should be happy about this thread. He's gotten a ton of views and more than doubled his faves since it started!
 09/14/2006 01:59:20 PM · #22
doesn't really "break the rules" - it's textbook golden triangles composition.
 09/14/2006 04:49:12 PM · #23
Originally posted by hopper:
doesn't really "break the rules" - it's textbook golden triangles composition.

Thanks for the link-- very interesting

But this does not address the crop. How successful would the photo be if the head were not cropped?
--jrjr
 09/14/2006 05:49:12 PM · #24
there are two other images on the main page where a head is chopped in some manner or another. while this particular photo is slightly different, i wouldn't say it's anything too radical either. the lines formed by his shirt, arms, and guitar forms the subject of the photo ... not the top of his head.

Originally posted by jrjr:
Originally posted by hopper:
doesn't really "break the rules" - it's textbook golden triangles composition.

Thanks for the link-- very interesting

But this does not address the crop. How successful would the photo be if the head were not cropped?
--jrjr
09/14/2006 06:18:12 PM · #25
Originally posted by jrjr:
Originally posted by hopper:
doesn't really "break the rules" - it's textbook golden triangles composition.

Thanks for the link-- very interesting

But this does not address the crop. How successful would the photo be if the head were not cropped?
--jrjr


Simply because all other aspects of the photo have been superbly rendered I'm sure it would be successful regardless of how it is cropped.

However, the nature of the crop added to those other elements does give it an added bonus. The person's face above the mouth is irrelevent in this image. The only important aspect of it has been kept to provide that "expression" and by cropping out the chaff, we are left with an undiluted subject - free of potential distractions and jam packed with energy.

The raw energy bottled in the open mouthed scream translates itself into the rest of the image giving it the power the title refers to, this energy would still be there were the guy's head intact but I think it would be slightly muted by the added elements. As it is the scream is the first thing into the photo, not shunted down a few centimeters by the addition of the entire face.

Hope that makes sense - that's how I see this photo.

Oh, and I could absolutely see this on my wall.
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