Wonderful, Heather! I think the over-exposure is perfect, here, and just adds to the 'period' feel of the image (kind of Summer-of-'42). The tilt of the horizon actually doesn't bother me in this - it somehow fits with girl running in the same direction. I just find this shot really appealing!
Koen, I agree with you completely. As usual, I probably used the wrong vocabulary to describe professional when I meant 'following the rules'/ This shot could easily be sold to an ad agency for a high end client. It has an etherial mood that sells.
I don't see this as a grab shot but a photograph taken by an incredibly brilliant mind, well planned and executed.
Of course, Heather has nothing to say about this--after all, she only took the photograph. Why should we ask her.
And if she isn't as brilliant and inciteful as we think--I want her to lie, lie, lie. Our egos couldn't handle it.
I always say, if you can't break the rules, get into another business.
As for the category, I don't see her as alone--I see her as free. But who among us hasn't spent more time trying to find a useful category than trying to remember a shutter speed and f/stop--of course, I never forget!
William, I think this image has something too. To me it seems a snapshot grabbed to catch the moment, impulsive and fully aware of what is happening - no time and no need for applying rules. And that is what I like about it. Now, I am sure you are right stating that it does not qualify as a professional shot. But, consider it out of its context. I am sure (or at least I hope) that this kind of image style would be acceptable as mature personal style when applied consequently. Does it not depict some kind of absorbing the situation to its extreme and almost childish enthusiasm ? Uh, is this nonsense ? Anyway, what I wanted to say is, I like the image, but not in the context of project 21.
I want to point out to everyone that has been following my northern hemisphere sea horizon effect that the ocean is indeed sloping towards the equator.
Levity aside.
Heather, I like this very much just the way it is. I agree with Koen from a technical point of view for the theme, but I like the amature look of this--the chopped legs the huge sky, over exposed, slightly out of focus. Under professional standards, of course, it doesn't cut it. But as Art, it is wonderful.
I think you will generally get a more melancholic feeling (wich is, to me, more related to loneliness) by underexposing a bit here. The photo seems so light which makes it look happy to me. Framing could be better too I think.
I like the idea of the photo, the alone factor of the girl walking along the beach. I feel that there is too much sky however and where her legs are cut off it detracts from the photo. I would do a much tighter crop and have less sky and more of the girl. Good concept.
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