No Trespassing . . .

[gahspidy]

I'm really throwing this one out here to see what goes. . . I have to say that I like this, but I feel this is a case of my bias getting in the way of my objective eyes.
Well, lay it down . .
Thanks

[Seb]

I'm really throwing this one out here to see what goes. . . I have to say that I like this, but I feel this is a case of my bias getting in the way of my objective eyes.
Well, lay it down . .
Thanks

Lol, I know that model! Well Gary, from a purely graphical point of view, I'd say that this is a well composed shot but it simply feels too posed to really work for me. The posture and the clothing (mainly the shoes) of your model make the whole thing feel unreal.

regards

Seb

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi Gary,
This photo is interesting. It does not have your style. The photo seems like an ad to me; maybe for high street shoes or bags. The overall effect is very eye-catching.
yoyo

[mtbbrian]

I can see you are taking this in a new direction Gary and including a person.
This is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who is the model anyway? Since Seb mentioned he knows her.
Tell me more about how you came to do this one Gary!
It kind of looks like you are saying something directly to the woman, she looks like she is trying to get on that boat inwhich she belonged to or something.
I'd like to see the boat burned in just a little more.
I like the framing with the pipe, it divides the frame into some interesting little pieces that make up the whole of this photograph.
Tell Me More Gary!
Brian
;)

[OldSchool]

Hi Gary,

Nice. It has good elements of intrigue and humor.

But......, I'm not sold on it. What's on the other side that is so interesting (water)? How is she going to get over the top of that fence w/o tearing her pants? On the technical side, the focus is soft (but maybe that's a result of downsizing).

Sorry, I don't mean to douse this. I certainly applaud the concept. Did you shoot any other shots on this local?

BR,
Tim

[Overbeyond]

Hello Gary
This one does not work real well for me mainly for the same reasons as stated by Seb. But it could be seriously used in some advert. Has that type of appeal.
Tom

[Seb]

I must say that I am somewhat suprised by your comments here guys.

I perceive this photograph as a 110% Gary piece of work. I don't see a new direction or a new styling (and I don't mean this in a negative way). To me it's a continuation of his work with a subject that is treated somewhat differently due to the focus on the person by comparison with others photographs were persons were rather part of the scenery so to speak.

But, that's just my personal take on it. Let see what Gary have to say...

Seb

[OldSchool]

Hey Seb,

I'll just speak for myself….

For this shot, I think I just didn't get it (and that's not an uncommon thing). I have tremendous respect for Gary and his work.

Experimenting with things is what is nice about this board. The feedback is objective. Often, I'm surprised when some of my perceived "winners" are not received well -- and some my ho-hums get more positive comments than expected.

Personally, I'm glad this board is not all "Hey great shot there..." I've learned a lot from everybody.
Thanks,
Tim

[Fenilyn]

Great capture, quite humurous. I can't help thinking how would that woman can get over the top of that fence, hehe. Great job, Gary!





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[opus]

My first thought mirrors what others have said: it's a heavy-handed and too-obvious attempt at some sort of social commentary.

What would work, though, is if she was already on the other side. Somehow, I think that would add what is missing here.

I also don't like the perspective of the lifted leg. It looks odd. And I'm not seeing "energy" in her motion. It looks quite still and posed.

That's what I don't like. What I do like is the contrasts you've captured: the fence, the sky, the figure against the sky.

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi Gary,
The more I look at this photo, the more I think it is an ad. It gives that idea that the lady is doing something rebelious or impossible. This is the image of the shoes or the bags promoting.
yoyo

[gahspidy]

First off, I'll say that I'm surprised by the number of responses on this thread as I was almost certain this image would be looked at , but passed over for comment as it might not impress enough to form any sort of opinion. I was partially right in that it did not impress much, but it did conjure up alot of opinions. I'm pleased by the response and the wisdom of your thoughts and critic.

The model is my girl who Seb knows from his last visit to N.Y. We met Seb for the first time then and although our time with him was short, we were impressed by his character and great sense of humor.

This shot was taken at the Sheepshead Bay Marina in Brooklyn and it was an impromptu, spur of the moment thought after seeing the sign. There was no deep meaning or direction in this image, only that I wanted to see the contrast of a nicely dressed woman attempting to scale a ragged decrepid fence with a sign forbidding it. Btw, she feels the same way as most of you in that this pose looks too staged. The softness of the image was created by adding a diffused lighting and noise, and so of course intentional.
As for this image not being my style of shot. . that made me think about " what is my type of shot".

I find myself first going for visual impact, and story , if any, second. When I thought of setting up this shot, it was the sign and the scene that started the thought process. . .but once that began, the story ( her violating the no trespassing ordinance) went out the window and I was merely focusing on the visual impact of her form on the fence and the comp, tones etc. I seem to be obsessed with my images being eye candy rather than interesting story wise. Although there are a few exceptions to that, and as I am "maturing" somewhat in my photography and pursuing greater depth from my images in seeking the intellectual, story-telling aspect, I still find that I place the greatest focus on the visual impact. That is what I like about this particuliar image. When I look at this, I really am not thinking about the story and therefore the "believable" aspect is of no great importance for me. What I see here is an image that can be broken down into several smaller images within the frames of the fencing, as Brian noted. I like the smoothness of the water with it's soft ripples behind the steely posts of the fence, but what attracts me most is the shape of the models form silhouetted in it's dark contrast against the rest of the scene. The pose of her arms and legs make an abstract design that I find appealing. Also, I find a certain sex appeal in the heel of her shoe poised on the post of the fence, and the rebeling aspect which leads me to agree with the Ad appeal of this shot as was stated by Yoyo.

I do feel like this shot falls into my style of shot, although whats different from most of my images is the focus on a person as a subject as Seb noted, whereas usually people , if any at all, are mostly in the bg as an afterthought.

I truly appreciate the comments and thoughts you put out here. I'm learning and improving ( hopefully) by understanding how others view the images and by the exchange of ideas and perceptions that is the fruit of this forum.