In the Shadows. . .the cloisters

[gahspidy]

This was taken almost a year ago, and it was originally composed with the intent of being part of the View from Within series. However, I decided it did not quite go along with the feel of the rest of the series and so left it out. I do still come back to this as a picture to stand on it's own, or perhaps go into another series down the road to come.
What do you think?
Thanks

[drg]

Gary,

This photo definitly stands on it own, and I agree it doesn't quite follow the same visual direction as the "View from Within" series.

I'm intriqued upon first glance by the patterns and lines of the image. The placement of the figure gives the natural flow of the piece a good resting/stopping point for one's eye.

With the transition from light to dark and back to lighter it creates some somberness for the viewer.

I do wonder about the shape and line of some of the shadow elements though they are well and decisively separated by the archway and they match the floor interestingly, they somehow are not working yet for me visually. It is almost as if they create conflict from one side of the image to the other. Knowing that you carefully craft your images, I wonder if this is intentional?

I'll think some more on this one and perhaps come up with something else.

Great image and thanks for showing this one.

Carleton

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi Gary,
Nice shot! My first thought is why than man is hiding in the dark. His body language says he is very frightened. Is he a demon? Has he something to hide? His dress with a hood gives a sense of mystery. Is he the God of Death waiting for his first client...?
Thanks for the shot for provoking the thoughts.
yoyo

[LeeIs]

I like the way you captured this image Gary.
What draws me to this shot other than the great atmosphere is that it seems to have three areas that keep bouncing my eyes around this image. The bright almost fairy tail misty atmosphere of the bright area in the back, the area that is lit by that light in the foreground and lastly the deep shadows that hold a lot of mystery. The figure's pose is interesting. It seems he's sad cause he's stuck in the dark, kinda
I think it's a great mysterious image you got here. It's one of those images that appears to hold a story behind it. Could work great for a book cover, etc. Good Job.

[Overbeyond]

I find this a difficult one indeed Gary.
I see two distinct areas: the far side of the arch and the near side. The Good and Bad, Heaven and Hell, oh please!.. But it is a bit like that.
The pose of the hooded man is not right for me here; as if he is trying too hard and not getting it right (wharever right might be). Is he apprehensive about making the last step forward in the Light away from darker times. These are my impressions.
On a technical level things seem ok. Perhaps the lighting on the near side of the arch holds some contradictions but when I roll back from the screen on my chair it all looks extremely effective but the pose/body language of the man is my main problem.
Tom

[CLKunst]

Hi Gary,

Beautiful image as usual with a full range of light and shadow. I am particularly impressed with the light area in the background which is really walking the fine line of over-exposure while keeping it just on this side of balanced.

Your figure is trying to be as monkish as possible to contribute to the environment but it feels quite stiff. The hood of the coat/sweatshirt and the way his hands are buried into his sleeves is very convincing but there is an incongruous feeling lower down because he's wearing pants and all the monks I've seen or known wear robes. Perhaps you are trying to portray modern monkishness? It is similar with what I have seen of your use of human figures in other scenes. Living mannequins. People holding very still just isn't natural to me.

I only have one other little nit pick, your horizons are tilted to the left a smidge. Not a big deal but it makes me think of a fun house hallway a little. Normally I wouldn't even pick this up but you are so careful with your composition that this leapt out at me.

I can understand it's relationship to your "View from Within" series as the figure does seem to be looking out from the shadows but agree that it doesn't quite sync with the atmosphere of the rest of the images in that series as I have seen it so far. It certainly has legs of it's own I just wish they were in a robe.

Regards,

[juzzus]

I find this pic a little creepy with a guy partially shown at the side of the wall ... as if his frm the "dark" side ... while the entreme end of the image shows the "bright" side ... a pic for you to choose your path ....

[gahspidy]

Thanks for commenting.

Carleton . . . So you feel the same way as I as far as the image not fitting the series, good to know. I also felt I liked the balance here in that the eye comfortably moves around the image, and I also find the placement of the human element to be ok. The shadow areas on the floor as you mentioned were given a certain effect as you say, so it was intentional. I wanted the shadowy areas to almost look to be another living thing, rather than a completely natural shadow effect. I guess the result can be bought or refused. Thanks again.

Yoyo . . .I'm glad this image can provoke those various thoughts and feelings from you. My feeling/idea of this is that the human figure could be hesitant to step off into the area where the creeping shadows may be moving in or receding. Sort of like when a person is on the beach and watching the waves roll in , but stands just far away from the water so as not to be touched by it.

Liban . . .thanks for laying out your thoughts on it. I hoped that this would hold a mysterious feel. Interesting that you mentioned the figures pose. I am sort of with Tom on that point , in that I feel the pose could have been more definitive or suggestive . glad to know what you think about it, thanks

Tom . . .yes, there is the whole light/dark good evil thing going on here, a basic theme probably as old as time itself. You mention the pose of the human figure as being the one strongest drawback. That had been on my mind about this as well. My idea for the image is that the human figure is watching the shadows creep in, or perhaps receding and may step out or retreat depending on how you see it, and so in that theme the figures pose works ok with me. Rolling back from the screen is something I do also, it can give you a better idea of the overall composition. Thanks for your time, Tom

CLKunst . . .yeah, your right. I do like to keep my human elements in the pics almost lifeless. Funny, i usually do not like any people in my scenes and try to avoid them, and when I do include them, I keep them lifeless, almost like just another piece of landscape. ( hmmm,I think that may reveal something about me) You are right about the tilt in the horizon, and i had only noticed it after having posted the image. i will adjust that if I eventually print this one out. The figure was not intended to look as a Monk, but with the hood in that environment it does portray that look. Thanks for commenting

juzzus . . .Glad to know your feeling on it. I'll think about using this image, and finding a place for it. Thanks for the time

[srobb]

I really like this image. Have to be honest and say that at first i did not even notice the figure to the side. I think my feelings travel the same route as the others in that I can see this very much as good/evil type image. From my perspective, and that my include my past, the feeling I get is that the figure is hesitant to step from the shadows to once again take joy in the light. The dreamy quality of the lit area brings this home even more. It's almost like he remembers what it was like in the light, and wonders if he could ever return there.

[swmdrayfan]

Shoot, Gary. Everyone else has spoken so eloquently, that there's nothing for me to add. I really am drawn to the use of shadow and light. Definately a learning tool for me.
John

[GB1]

Wow, what a haunting photo. I haven't read the other critiques yet, but I would have cropped out a portion of the foreground. The man/monk seems to almost get lost in all that space.

This is very interesting. The man could have been dressed in a variety of garbs - as you have it, as a guard with a pike, as a tourist, etc. The photo really invites thoughtful poses. A person sitting on the floor looking out towards the portal would also have been symbolic, like they were looking into another world. The incredible glow of the area beyond really opens up avenues. The only negative is that its intensity sort of washes out the other areas, but still, that's what makes the mood of the shot.

GB

[julsoph]

I like this a lot. The doorway really is my favorite part...the frame starts the light, and then as you look throught, you see more of the glow...then you notice the chairs/benches, etc. The repetition of the stones is great. I'm not certain about the figure. His posture seems weird to me.

Overall, a really cool photo.
Emily

[gahspidy]

srobb, John, GB, Emily. . .thanks for the time to share your thoughts on this with me.

[payn817]

Ok, I replied to this, but don't know where it went.

Anyway, I love it, the detail in the arch with the lighting behind it really shows your ability to work in difficult situations. The way the light falls in from the right, spilling right before the figure is excellent. The feeling I get from this photo is one of deep contemplation, or coming from darkness into light. Some may even see this as enlightenment "illustrated". Great work!

[dbutler]

I like it too!! And I also find it pretty creepy. Reminds me of something you might see in a Japanese horror flick, like Dark Water. You are looking at a scene and suddenly you catch something from the corner of your eye that makes you jump right out of your skin. That's what I got when I suddenly noticed the hooded figure.

[gahspidy]

Thanks payn817 and D, knowing what works for the viewer is equally as important as knowing what does not.

[Seb]

This was taken almost a year ago, and it was originally composed with the intent of being part of the View from Within series. However, I decided it did not quite go along with the feel of the rest of the series and so left it out. I do still come back to this as a picture to stand on it's own, or perhaps go into another series down the road to come.
What do you think?
Thanks

Gary,

Technically, I think that this picture is dead on, the exposure, the tones, the lighting... To me, its all good and it makes for a very strong initial impact.
On the other hand, like Tom, I too am somewhat distracted by the pose of the guy. There is something too posed/fake about it. But then, that's the only thing I can possibly complain about.

I think that this picture could fit in the "View from Within" series if it wasn't from the strong religious aspect of this one that take it in another direction. The basic structure of the picture says "View from Within" but the religious theme doesn't fit in the series.

regards

Seb