The Observer
by Sheryll

Comment:
And that right there is probably why your DPL teammates suggested that you submit it for the challenge. For starters, they are more attuned to the public appeal of an image.

It's a good question as to why this image caught my attention. I found that the image really stood out to me among the top 30. (my habit is to view the top 30-50 and bottom 20 of each challenge)

I just double checked the top 30 images. This is the only image that really stands out as having an issue where there IS negative space, but that negative space plays no significant role in the image.

Yes, it's the complementary color to the reds in the feathers of the hawk, but how is that doing anything of note in the image. It is simply a background. the impact of the negative space in this image would not change the image significantly by cropping most of it away.

That cannot be said of any other image in the top 30.

I'm not trying to say that I don't like the image. In fact, I do like the image. that's why I put the time into the alternate edits to try to give you some options from that really heavily processed look.

What I don't like about the image is that it looks so overprocessed. What I don't like about it in this challenge is that it is DNMC.
What I don't like about that is not so much that you entered it (we are all entitled to our own takes on the challenge description) but that this is a strong negative effect of the DPL. The DPL has increased the number of 'shoehorn' entries and this is a very plain demonstration of that. That the DPL is helping you individually is great. Shoot a pic, put it on your DPL forum and learn. Wonderful! I'm all for it.

negative space does not = free study.
And while we are there, DNMC does not = this is a bad pic.

Perhaps you could mention something in the image details about how you feel the Negative Space makes a contribution to the image?

Observe!
by Neil

Comment:
beautiful candidate for HDR.

Birth Control
by thegrandwazoo

Comment:
pretty funny. The obvious questions... Why is he showing his manhood outside under a bright blue sky? and uhhh why is she laughing at his bellybutton? :)

The Observer
by Sheryll

Comment:
just for reference. Sheryll took my invitation to see what I could do and provided me the original.

Came up with three successive variants.


I did not originally think to post them here, but after some more thought, I realized that it was a DPL suggestion that she put this image into the challenge, so it would be appropriate to place it here for them to view as well.

I still feel that the negative space in this image is not a strong enough element to avoid a DNMC. No amount of processing changes this as this is a content issue. I think it is improved slightly in the two more severe crops, but it's still a bit of a shoehorn.

Poise
by samtrundle

Comment:
another fantastic result of using negative space to enhance the primary subject. The first glance at the thumbnail made me feel that by pushing the suit down to the black point, you had made the image uncomfortably arranged and I didn't like it.

Click on that thumbnail and this thing unfolds on the desktop.

Stunningly managed gradients and textures. Beautifully controlled whites. Those alone define the image as intentional, and thus begins the eye's journey into why.

the missing suit jacket becomes an implication. Something you expect to see but don't.

What a powerful counterpoint for the tragedy of his eye.

Totally brilliant and excellent in every way. I don't usually just look at an image just to look at it as long as I did for this one. I just sat and stared. I hope that says enough.

Solo
by lentil

Comment:
What a fascinating way to present negative space! i really, really like this one. So many things to like about this one.

The rocks in black are strong and overbearing and perfect. A little closer inspection reveals a tiny bit of detail splashed around the edges which subliminally carries into the shadow area and looks good.

The repeating theme and rhythym coming through the rest of the image is a major defining feature of what is really great about this image for me. It's all about light, water and rocks. The way it all flows into radial lines from the lower right to top left, creating bands of color, luminosity and texture while moving down the left edge further reinforces the minimalistic subject which is in just the right color (although the nitpick is that the red it just a hair too strong there and I mean just a hair - likely more a result of resizing than anything).

Definitely a great pick for this challenge.

If I could make some suggestions for post-challenge, maybe bring out the spray as it breaks on the coast towards the right just a teeny bit, go to the blues channel and very slightly play with desaturating and darkening to push the contrast just a bit and get rid of the high saturation areas on the left edge.

In-challenge this would have been a 10 from me and my pick for blue.

The Observer
by Sheryll

Comment:
man, I hate making negative comments.

I don't agree that this is a great image. I find it generally bitty, grainy and overprocessed. The fine detail is garbled and suffers from oversharpening. the beak is nice, but that's it for me.

The BG is grainy and not fluid. The color does not complement the animal at all. It also contains a fairly visible color cast matching the BG which does nothing for the overall pic. It contains very awkward composition as well which is unsettling without purpose.

According to your image details, you were unsure if you should have submitted it and you were recommended for DPL reasons? I am disappointed that you tried to foist this into a challenge for this reason.

I hope that you understand that I am not trying to be mean with this comment, but I genuinely feel that an image should be presented because of its own merit, not because of the DPL. This image on its own merit is unappealing to me. I would have voted a 3 or 4.

Does it have potential though? Absolutely. Correct that color cast, compose a bit more forcefully, back OFF on that sharpening/processing and use a slightly gentler resize method and I think you do have something which could become compelling.

You do seem to have done a very good job in controlling the highlights.

I would be happy to play with it if you wanted me to "put my money where my mouth is".

Message edited by author 2007-06-27 05:58:14.

Alone White Rook
by whiterook

Comment:
Not up to your usual standards there WR. And almost 20 places off the brown!

Life Under a Microscope
by Rebecca

Comment:
A rare lensbaby shot... had this picked right away. What a great effect!

Placid
by lovethelight

Comment:
gorgeous shot, fantastic pose, tremendous effort. No doubt this is a shot you will be proud of for a long time to come. I hope this goes up on your wall.

if i were to change the color of the shirt, I would go with changing the cyan to a nice blue to match the water.

how's this?

Details on pic.

Message edited by author 2007-06-25 02:53:06.