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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 3/1/2006
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Thank you so much for your comment, my friend. I value your opinion very much and appreciate your comment!
Mark
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Francesco Francesco
{K:8101} 3/1/2006
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I like this! Contrast is a matter of taste. The image is truly fine. Ciao
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/28/2006
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Thanks a million for going to the trouble to do this, Ina! This makes the idea crystal clear. Actually, I hadn't though of using a semi-transparent drapery as you show in the doctored shot. That's a GREAT idea! Thanks much!
Mark
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/28/2006
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Hi Mark, this is what I meant with the drapery and the pear - you got exactly my idea, to make the apples stand out more from the background - I think it's best to attach this picture:
I hope you don't mind my painting :)
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Just a thought |
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/28/2006
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Thanks for your insightful comments Ina! I think you make some very valid points about complexity. I also like your suggestion about also using a lighter piece of fruit. I think that could be arranged such that the lighter fruit provides a separation between the red apples and the carpeted backdrop through olpacement and also reflective highlights in the red apple skin.
I also appreciate your input as regards this backdrop in general. On thinking about this more, it seems that the issue with this is that there is not enough tonal difference between the apples and the backdrop, rather than simply that the backdrop is too complex. The relative simplicity of the apple skin could work very well against a complex backdrop such as this. The problem is that the tonal similarity makes the edges of the apple blend into the backdrop, creationg a weak separation of the objects and the backdrop. SOme could say that having the central objects blend into the background could be a good effect in its own right. But that is not what I w3as after with this still life. I wanted to show the fruit as the central focus standing separately with the backdrop.
I hadn't put much thought at all into this shot. I was shooting on the stairs in bright sunlight (Apple on Stairs) and this shot was conveniently close at hand so I took it. I've learned a lot from the many comments on this page! Critiquer's Corner is a great innovation here at UF! I'll plan it more carefully another time armed with these insights. Thanks again Ina, this is VERY helpful!
Mark
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/28/2006
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Mark, I love this one, and I think the carpet background is brilliant. In my opinion, nothing is "too busy" - we got too used to modern art and its simplistic representations. Have a look at this one (attached) - Adriaen van Utrecht (1644) - Still Life from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The notion of "busy" has to do with visual complexity - I think our modern training wants us to see things simple, quick to absorb, without the need to linger on an image. We got too used to television: loud sounds and shocking images changing rapidly.
I think the second version with more contrast is preferable, in my opinion, and possibly a third object - maybe a yellow pear laid on the side might add a splash of light color. Also, a small tray or a light colored cloth would set the fruit apart and add a visual separation, since the objects are equal in color value (i.e. if turned to B & W they are equal greys). This is not critical though in color, I like it the way it is, it's just a suggestion for the future, because I think the carpet background is faboulous, and you shouldn't give up using it.
I love the rich colors and lighting, beautiful!
Best regards, Ina
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Stiill Life - Adriaen van Utrecht - 1644 |
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/27/2006
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Thanks very much for your comment Mary Sue! I have been dabbling a bit in shooting still lifes in recent months and am sort of learning as I go, so all insights and comments are much appreciated.
Mark
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Mary Sue Hayward
{K:17558} 2/27/2006
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Kevin beat me to it! The background really is the culprit here. While I like the view with increased saturation, the increased saturation might not be as critical if the background was neutral. As long as you are thinking about shooting with a different backdrop, choose one that contrasts nicely with the apples.
This is a good choice for a Critiquers Corner upload. Can't wait to see what you upload next!
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/27/2006
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Many thanks for your helpful comment Kevin. I was not sure what this shot needed, which is why I placed it for critique. I think you are correct that the backdrop is the problem here. Just too busy. I tried making it even darker but there is only so dark you can make it before it just look out of place and/or silly. A different backdrop is what's needed here.
Thanks again!
Mark
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Kevin Lanthier
{K:3477} 2/27/2006
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Good call on darkening the carpet but ya know what? I think it's still just too distracting. The lighting on the apples looks nice and I want to see exactly how the shadows wrap around but that gets lost against the pattern behind them. The composition is good - leading line of the stairs, bright stem of the fore apple right at the golden section. Just need a more neutral backdrop.
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/27/2006
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Thanks very much for your critique Hezer, I much appreciate it! I think I understand what you mean about the contrast. It would be nice to make the apples stand away from the background a bit more... I have uploaded a version of the shot with increaed contrast here. I do like this shot better, though I don't think the apples stand out much better...
Again, many thanks for honest critique
Mark
!
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/27/2006
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Thanks very much for your critique Hezer, I much appreciate it! I think I understand what you mean about the contrast. It would be nice to make the apples stand away from the background a bit more... I have uploaded a version of the shot with increaed contrast here. I do like this shot better, though I don't think the apples stand out much better...
Again, many thanks for honest critique
Mark
!
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H H
{K:-67} 2/27/2006
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Lack of contrast. Otherwise I am pro apples! ;=)
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