Great Expectations Attn: Nat

[MelissaD]

Hi again everyone! I posted this a couple of days ago, but wanted to see what people thought of this version, particularly Nat (I appreciate your critique on the origional!) I look forward to hearing your feedback!
Thanks,
Mel

[natatbeach]

I see some of the changes and again this is something that boils down to personal tastes...I hope you don't mind---I took the liberty of "tweaking" and playing with the image.

I liked how "real" the other images you have posted (especially the human forms-although maipulated still retained a feel of the original photo)

I like the way you represented the figure with the chakras and I like the kneeling one as well
(I added a flare to the orb of light,for lack of a better word,that she was holding and added a shadow to "ground" her a bit)

lots of dodge and burn and sharpening and blurrring...

Hope I didn't kill your beautiful project with my example,,,,

Hope this helps--- I really enjoy your work again---and your willingness to want to get honest critiques and value others opinions.

Take care...so how many layers was this one ??;)

[TheFru]

I wandered thru the other day and thought it was refreshing to see your original post of this. Not necessarily your focus, but manipulation and assemblage. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing your other works since I have been “away” for a while and think I may have to take the time to search them out.

I think this one seemed to strike a chord with me because my last profs wife was struggling with cancer and her healing symbol was the butterfly. I found that all of my montages from this class contained them, not because I was going for brownies…just that her story pricked me, and my inclination to ponder beliefs, as has yours.

Sorry this isn’t an actual critique of your piece, just the direction it led my thoughts.

Tanya

Hi again everyone! I posted this a couple of days ago, but wanted to see what people thought of this version, particularly Nat (I appreciate your critique on the origional!) I look forward to hearing your feedback!
Thanks,
Mel

[MelissaD]

Nat: Thank you again. I struggled for quite some time, trying to decide whether or not I wanted to add a shadow to the ground, but ultimately decided that keeping the ground as high contrast as it is makes it almost look "lit" from beneath. I also visually do like the "flare" a lot, but it doesn't seem to me like a weak but growing chakra anymore, so I think I need to sacrifice this visual aspect for the meaning of the piece. I always do appreciate your honest and informative critiques. After all, that's what we're all here for! I think perhaps in this piece, we're looking at the piece with different objectives, but I still do believe that your comments greatly improved it! Thank you so very much for all the help ;)

Tanya: I'm so glad the piece "spoke" to you. The reaction you had to it is exactly what it was created for, so I'm glad to know that it works in that aspect. I greatly appreciate your comments

My thanks to both of you!
Mel

[natatbeach]

especially when it's tied so closely to life situations and life xperience...I have no emotional connection to this because my spiritual beliefs don't lend themselves to mysticism so my take may ALWAYS be different than what you ultimately want to achieve

that's why I enjoy your work...because I know it's very personal to you and it's always well executed and very representative of your beliefs.

look forward to seeing/experiencing more of your journey with you ;)

[MelissaD]

Nat, thanks again for all of the encouragement. It really means a lot
Mel

[coldfire]

I really like this image, Melissa, and all of the ones of yours I've seen so far. There's only one thing I'd consider changing in this one: the pose of the standing woman. I think having a more open arm/hand position might make it look more like she's reaching and open. As it is, she reminds me of 1) someone dancing (the "raise the roof" move or whatever it's called), or 2) a Pentecostal person singing a hymn.

That's just a really minor "quibble," though. ;)