We are so fortunate because at the end of every challenge we are treated to some visual beauties. The monumental talent makes itself felt and watching the final placings is a delight that exceeds many others.
Week after week, we witness a variety of images that elate, depress, uplift and sometimes we are humbled by the employment of composition and technique.
But then, every so often, along comes a new talent with a new image that raises the bar all over again. An image that almost bewitches. And here is where I begin with the entry by Piotr Wielopolski known as "Peete."
20 tears of age and a member since April 2004.
When I first clicked on this image a darkness descended with a hint of form, but the smoke swirls captured my attention. Then slowly, the eyes begin to detect the shape of the head. The fact that it was a square frame, added to the enhancement. I find the square frame as the most static because all sides are even, wherein the rectangles create a small sense of tension due to the uneven width and length. I started with a six on my initial vote, returned for a good look and bumped it to 7 with a note to return. I did return and adorned it with the ten it deserves. You see, my voting pattern is simple, I want to end up with 5 images at the top and then one that I consider the winner gets the ten. The others stay at 8 or 9. If I were to give three images ten, then all that I am saying is to let others decide. I have been around enough to estimate the value of an image and I am rarely fooled. I did not forsee the Blue for this image, but I wished it top 3.
To return, the image is on the dark side but then there is no other way to make this dramatic effect sing with the power it does. The capture is on the money and deliniation of the visible face is just enough to camouflage the face on a cursory look but enough to reveal the form. The harmony of the traces of the face enforce the background to strongly accent the smoke. By far, the best smoke image in the archives of DPC.
It is an image with great power more like a magician allowing you into a dark room to see an illusion, yet the image is far from an illusion. It is a composition that romances the eyes by playing the upper and lower zones against each other to blow one's mind away. Well, it blew me away and I am happy it hit paydirt. It rises above the average image. It is an image that one can see in a gallery of fine art. It is persuasive with a tinge of the mystique as per its Astrological name.
Congratulations to Piotr for this work of excellence. Please understand, this is not to take away from the wonderful BLUE and the RED winners. They earned their scores. My tribute to this image is because of its darkness made so beautiful and then that many novice voters dismiss images that do not scintillate and coruscate before their eyes.
Message edited by author 2005-12-08 22:08:33. |
