Bluebeard's Wife

[megan]

All -
The two attached images are part of a new subseries I've started based on fairy tales. I had no model, so when there's no one around and I neeeeeed to photograph, well - I photograph me!
I'm thinking of redoing with a model, but thought I'd see what you all thought.
(Shot with a Holga, Portra400 VC)

Megan

[jar_e]

Megan,

Maybe it's the holga feel, maybe it's the motion blur, but these shots just don't work for me. Though I like your idea for a series, these shots just don't seem to portray that for me.

Hopefully I don't sound harsh,

Jared

[megan]

I'm not offended at all - but would certainly be interested in more detail!

[drg]

Reading Margaret Atwood or the Brother's Grimm?

At this moment, I prefer frame ten, the double with the two eggs and profile/shadows hair over the face as a comment on the indecision of Blue's wife and her dilemma. The single doorknob works better with the open door, the deed is done and now the egg is getting redder (if you could make a bloody key image. . .) and what will she do now?

The picture in frame 8 is more predictable, less abstract. It does ask of the viewer a question and to participate in the wife's curiosity. Seeing just one eye open like that also opens several topics about questioning and inquisitiveness.

Many material possibilities you have started to explore here.

I'll ponder these some more and see if I come up with anything profound. Been a while since I've delved in the darker tales.

[Young Shooter]

i really like how the holga worked out in this
and i like the way you did the double exposures
to show an egg in one shot and u can see the key on the right
i like them
they almost look scary in a way
Keep Shooting
how can i use color in my holga

[jar_e]

I'm not offended at all - but would certainly be interested in more detail!

Megan,

It's not that I don't like the idea (it's quite neat, in a morbid type way) But I think it's the double exposure that just doesn't make this work for me. The difference between the shots is too extreme for me and I think distracts from what you were trying to portray.

Jared

[megan]

Gotcha. Thanks, I do appreciate your input - I like to know what *doesn't* work when it's not working! Thanks for taking the time. I've got a pretty thick skin - and don't take it personally.

[megan]

Thank you SO much for the breakdown! I really appreciate it. I can take all of your and Jared's comments and go back to work with a model and try both double exposing with your suggestions and maybe a series of straight images together as a story.

These images were all inspired by a book I'm reading, "Spinning Straw into Gold : What Fairy Tales Reveal About the Transformations in a Woman's Life" by Joan Gould. when I'm done, I'll go back and read the whole of Grimm's, Aesops, and a few others. It's really provocative lit.!

[megan]

Cool, I'm glad you got the scariness from them! Thanks for that.
"Bluebeard's Wife" is a particularly horrific tale.
As for using color in your Holga - I prefer to use a film (definitely use 400 ASA) like Portra 400 VC (vivid color) that is meant for indoor situations (as opposed to NC.) I know Kodak is a bit pricey, so I'd recommend finding a Fuji or other brand equivalent. Then - shoot away!

[GB1]

They're different ....... the framing, double exp and high contrast are not your typical photo. It's ok as an expt, but I think that you would definitely need to do more to make it realistic - the background, costume (lack of one), et al all need more serious attention. If this were a play and it was done symbolically then that might be OK.

Also, I am not taking a stance on this because I don't know, but sometimes I wonder if a photograph - which is a visual depiction - should stand on its own w/o requiring a writeup for the viewer to understand it? Food for thought. -GB

[Lava Lamp]

All -
The two attached images are part of a new subseries I've started based on fairy tales. I had no model, so when there's no one around and I neeeeeed to photograph, well - I photograph me!
I'm thinking of redoing with a model, but thought I'd see what you all thought.
(Shot with a Holga, Portra400 VC)

Megan

These remind me of the Picasso stuff with blended perspectives. It's kind a confusing for my eye and mind and I end up making an attempt to figure it all out and failing. That's probably more of a commentary on me than the photos, but it's one voice in the crowd.

I love the title, though. It makes me want to read the story.

[Chunk]

These remind me of the Picasso stuff with blended perspectives. It's kind a confusing for my eye and mind and I end up making an attempt to figure it all out and failing. That's probably more of a commentary on me than the photos, but it's one voice in the crowd.

I love the title, though. It makes me want to read the story.

Lava Lamp, you wrote my critique. How did you do that?
Megan, I, too, thought of Picasso on first viewing. I've come to the conclusion that Picasso used his style to show different aspects of a subject (when he wasn't just goofing around) and that's what I feel in your first shot, especially with the different objects being held. I don't know the story being referenced but find the photos intriguing.

[mtbbrian]

Interesting series..
What made you want to do something like that?
I thought I recognized the model!
It has some good possibilities, the series.
The one thing that bothers me about these two is the door knob(s) in the background as well as the door jamb. Use a better background.
The first one is the best of these two, you see your face better and the key gives a better feel to the fairy tale.
I think if you costume the model you use for the final photograph I think it will be a winner!
Good Luck!
Brian

[Chunk]

The one thing that bothers me about these two is the door knob(s) in the background as well as the door jamb. Use a better background.

Brian, I think you are right technically but I thought having the two doors implies a choice of which door to use the key in, heightening the mystery. Again, I don't know the real story.

[mtbbrian]

Brian, I think you are right technically but I thought having the two doors implies a choice of which door to use the key in, heightening the mystery. Again, I don't know the real story.

Interesting point Chunk!
I guess I don't know the whole story behind Bluebeard and his wife.
Brian

[Overbeyond]

In a way these images are a breadth of fresh air.
Not understanding them is the attraction here for me and they are also attractive and original . Some 'beautiful' , flawless photographs are rarely attractive as such and often lack interest.
These are the opposite and that's why they work for me. The colours work great.
Tom

[PlantedTao]

I gotta go with frame 8. I like the two door knobs and the key...I don't know the story, however the photo still produces a feeling of indecision...therefore I like it on that level.
The photo also has a great quality of still making out everything, without knowing the story...this I think is good.
I also like the girls' (you) expression and the double exposure or long exposure really adds a lot by again producing a feeling of indecision. I love having that one eye stare back at me!

The second frame is not working at all because the exposure is just too dark. This, IMHO, is a much inferior negative and although the idea may be better, the technical aspects kinda ruin for me.

Great idea and execution. Can't wait to see more.
Cheers.

[megan]

I understand your point, and thanks for taking time to comment. I just wonder though... when you see a painting from the Renaissance of a scene from Greek myth or biblical story (there were so many, I can't pull one out of my head at the moment), while you MIGHT know the story sometimes you don't - does it make it less beautiful to look at? I do agree - first and foremost, the photograph should stand on it's own. I'm just curious, though - is it because it's photography (that you expect a certain type of image), or because the image is not a successful image?
Thanks again!

[megan]

You all pretty much got the core of the story - it's about making a decision whether or not to defy her husband and open a door she wasn't supposed to. Metaphorically, it's about a woman's transition from innocent maiden to knowing wife/fertile mother. (Hence the egg.)

[PlantedTao]

I try to judge each piece of art based on what I see is beautiful, either I like it or I don’t
I guess I’m biased, I have personal tastes ;)
I use them to judge art that I see, so I guess my opinion is neither right or wrong, just personal.

Cheers

[mtbbrian]

You all pretty much got the core of the story - it's about making a decision whether or not to defy her husband and open a door she wasn't supposed to. Metaphorically, it's about a woman's transition from innocent maiden to knowing wife/fertile mother. (Hence the egg.)

I learned something from this!
I certainly see it all now, and I think the message and story are illustrated well.
I can't wait to see the final version of this though. Not that I don't mond seeing you in it though.. ;)
I look forward to seeing more!
Brian