Danger Fragile

[gahspidy]

Ok, this is way different for me. I have been experimenting with the very creative side of this medium and would like to know what you think.
Yay or Nay?
thanks

[Didache]

oooh I do like things like this! It's very cleverly done, although I am not sure what the "message" is, if any. The one thing I would be inclined to do is to make the flower overlap the frame just a little more than it is now - it looks sort of like it was meant to fit in the frame, but doesn't quite. A little more overlap would help. That's me being very picky though - it's an interesting and thought-provoking image.

Cheers
Mike

[Overbeyond]

Last weekend I went out and purchased a couple of very cheap work lamps with a view to doing some table top. But when I see this I feel like going back and getting my money back, all of £20 as it could all be a lost cause. This looks beautiful and the lighting is wonderful. I see this as being all about the state of the planet and how pathetic human beings can be. But that's neither here or there. I just always enjoy putting a story to a picture just for my own enjoyment. I like the slightly side angle of view you choose and I feel this adds to the impact. Such versatility.

[Greg McCary]

Gary this could be a poster for a movie, musical or my first though an illusionist's show. I Think you did very well and this took a lot of creative thought to pull this off. Is it me or does the hand look a little big or out of place. Nice work.

[Frog]

I don't know what or if there is a message but I like the quality of the photo.

[Overbeyond]

Gary this could be a poster for a movie, musical or my first though an illusionist's show. I Think you did very well and this took a lot of creative thought to pull this off. Is it me or does the hand look a little big or out of place. Nice work.

No I don't think it is you Greg.
I have seen this often in some portraits. Is that some style of self portrait Gary that you have used here? Still enjoying this very much.

[CLKunst]

I like it Gary, it is definitely a positive departure for you, the quirky changes of scale are interesting ~ but they look pasted. I would definitely blow in some shadows to the underlying layers when and where you overlap. I also agree with Didache's suggestion to enlarge the rose and make it pop out of the frame more. I'm confused about light sources as it just seems to be coming from everywhere with no sense of reason which isn't normal for one of your pictures. Composite scenes look so much more powerful and cohesive when everything is working from the same direction. I think some additional layers using some spotlight or omni light effects might be very interesting to play with. Other than that I really like it and applaud your climbing out of the box or frame as it were. It's a beautiful beginning.

[gahspidy]

Thanks Mike ,Tom, Greg, Frog, and Cindy. I'm glad you all think the overall concept works, although as Cindy pointed out I need a lot more practice on the technique in photoshopping. Yes, Tom, this is a sort of self portrait. Your interpretation is very near to what I had in mind. A sort of take on the human condition and mans indifference for the things that are fragile and vulnerable around him/her. No real message, but just a few elements present in a way to inspire thought.
I took a few suggestions given me here and posted this edit. The flower is overlapping more, and hopefully as cindy pointed out the light source should appear to mostly be coming in from one direction, the upper right. although there is also light blasting up from within the box and maybe abit scattered here and there.

[PrevailingConditions]

Gary,

Very well executed. I initially thought that it was just a dried rose in a frame, but then scrolling up started to reveal the different pieces and the picture took on a completely different feeling. My biggest problem is that I don't really understand the message. Is the fragility dangerous? How does the thing in the box related to the guy and the flower? Please understand that I'm not very good at this sort of stuff anyway - too much of an engineering background I guess.

PC

[gahspidy]

Gary,

Please understand that I'm not very good at this sort of stuff anyway - too much of an engineering background I guess.

PC

LOL, I'm not one for deep meaningful messages, more of just a visual sort of guy. I did want this just to invite some thought and different interpretations.
You say it looks well executed . . .this is a slight re edit to the version Cindy and the others had commented on. I take it you mean it looks fine technically?
I plan to reshoot myself for a better hand position and also a bit better sharpness in the hand. hopefully I will have more to come. . .

Tom, you mentioned having aquired some lights recently. All the elements here were shot under a 500 watt halogen head bouncing off a white umbrella on a stand roughly three feet above the subjects and at a 45 deg. angle to them. A white board used as a reflector to light the lower opposite side for fill.

Thanks for the time here

[GB1]

Gary - No image anymore, what happened?
G

[gahspidy]

Gary - No image anymore, what happened?
G

Thanks for telling me. I was still seeing the image on my end. There seemed to be some isue with uploading the re edited version to replace the original in the gallery.
Hopefully you can see it here now.

[GB1]

Gary - I see it now. Hmmm.. interesting shot here. It's different. I'm about 50/50 on it but definitely give you an A for creativity. To me, if it's supposed to signify something then I'm simply not getting it (wouldn't be the first time). I like the concept of strategic lighting but find the light too intense right there where he's popping out. I like the lighting in the upper half of the image. The angle you shot it at ... Hmm... it's different, but somehow the fact that you shot it at about half way down vertically, it sort of makes it more distorted then interesting. I'm sure that others may feel differently, however (I haven't read anyone else's critique).

Anyway - shots like this tend to inspire me to try my own creative odds and ends ideas. We'll see what I can come up with too during the cool winter months (!)

G

[CLKunst]

Great improvements Gary! Just a few more things to think about. I think the light from the box is having a tough time competing with the even lighting throughout the shot although it has much better flow now. Have you thought about lowering the exposure on the background [velvet, frame, rose, and you] by a half stop so you can really give the box a chance to glow? I know it's supposed to play the principal role of this image but it's the last thing my eyes finds when I look at it the frame and rose being very dominant. Bringing down the background might give the box and the feeling of trepidation more prominence. Priority wise I want to see the box, glow and label first, followed by your reaction and then find the rest of the supporting details, right now all elements seem to have equal importance. The rose has a real 3-D feel to it which I think looks great.

[gahspidy]

GB, thanks for your thoughts. I'm not sure what you mean by "half way down vertically". Are you refering to the angle at which I am looking down at the box?

Cindy, I think you are right about the entire scene having equal importance due to the lighting on all the elements here. Darkening the frame and surroundings sounds like a good idea to let the box and my reaction take a stronger hold.
Here is a fix with those suggestions, and also I enlarged the box a bit as well. The advice and suggestions are good and will help me in my future attempts at these.

[CLKunst]

Looks Great!!!! I love it!:thumbsup:

[GB1]

Gary - Yes, that's what I was trying to say. You can see how the angle of both the top and bottom of the frame are equally going off at about 10-15 degrees. If it wasn't symmetrical like that it might be better (or, might not).

G

[gahspidy]

Gary - Yes, that's what I was trying to say. You can see how the angle of both the top and bottom of the frame are equally going off at about 10-15 degrees. If it wasn't symmetrical like that it might be better (or, might not).

G

Thanks Cindy, I'm much happier with the last result thanks to the suggestions given me. Although, I think I will be re doing this altogether.

GB, thanks for clarifying. Yes, I felt it was best to shoot this from a sort of 45 deg. angle as opposed to dead on which would have lost the depth appeal. Straight on would lose the sides of the box and frame and i though having that slight angle would give more to the 3D effect I wanted.
Thanks, I appreciate your time to lend me your thoughts here.

[readingr]

Gary,

Now that's what I call a self protrait. The second version is much better.

Other than the comments already made I would be tempted to darken the background a little more to give it a more mysterious feel.

Opening pandora's box is not a good idea by the way :lol: (The first thing that popped into my head)

Roger

[gahspidy]

Gary,

Now that's what I call a self protrait. The second version is much better.

Other than the comments already made I would be tempted to darken the background a little more to give it a more mysterious feel.

Opening pandora's box is not a good idea by the way :lol: (The first thing that popped into my head)

Roger

I agree with the second version. You may be right in darkening further, but I do not want to lose the dynamic of the light on the frame and rose.
Pandoras box is a good interpretation, but i have something else lined up for that theme.
Thanks Roger.