Serenity vs chaos: Something about this, otherwise banal view, intrigues me. I think it's to do with a sense of tension between the two sides. On one side we have the barrenness of the...

Malky Loc: Originally UK, now Kansas City

Something about this, otherwise banal view, intrigues me. I think it's to do with a sense of tension between the two sides. On one side we have the barrenness of the empty seat competing for attention with the riotous abandon of this flower bed in Gilbert White's garden.

White's garden, Selbourne, Hampshire.

Malky Loc: Originally UK, now Kansas City

Malky wrote:

Something about this, otherwise banal view, intrigues me. I think it's to do with a sense of tension between the two sides. On one side we have the barrenness of the empty seat competing for attention with the riotous abandon of this flower bed in Gilbert White's garden. I bet Chuck could provide a musical metaphor to clarify my words!

deej

Malky wrote:

Something about this, otherwise banal view, intrigues me. I think it's to do with a sense of tension between the two sides. On one side we have the barrenness of the empty seat competing for attention with the riotous abandon of this flower bed in Gilbert White's garden.

The vibrancy of the colors seems high to me. Was this the true colors or did the camera adjust them higher???

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The green in the grass does seem a bit unnatural; however I agree with your reason for the interest. I want someone to come and sit there so they can enjoy that beauty!

deej

Linda From Maine wrote:

The green in the grass does seem a bit unnatural; however I agree with your reason for the interest. I want someone to come and sit there so they can enjoy that beauty!

You are very correct, It is a beautiful spot. With winter upon us, one can almost feel the warmth and serenity projected!

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

Malky wrote:

Something about this, otherwise banal view, intrigues me. I think it's to do with a sense of tension between the two sides. On one side we have the barrenness of the empty seat competing for attention with the riotous abandon of this flower bed in Gilbert White's garden.

This made me wonder what it would look like with two people engaged in conversation on the bench.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

My sense of proportion is saying this is too wide. I would like to see a little less open expanse between the bench and the flowers, and a little less of the flower bed on the right hand side. Are you open to seeing alternative views?

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Malky wrote:

Something about this, otherwise banal view, intrigues me. I think it's to do with a sense of tension between the two sides. On one side we have the barrenness of the empty seat competing for attention with the riotous abandon of this flower bed in Gilbert White's garden.

I like this very much. I agree that there is a profound sense of tension, but I don't think it's between the two sides: I think it's the whole image, which has all the uptightness of a 1962 beehive hairdo hairsprayed to a fare-thee-well. Nothing moves. There is not a hair out of place. The bench is precisely aligned with the precisely clipped hedge (but there are three stray leaves beneath the bench you might consider cloning out to complete the stark feeling). The garden is magnificent, yet somehow sterile, with the sole exception of the one stalk of yellow cluster flowers leaning into the composition. I think that the fact no one is sitting there completes it. :thumbup:

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Heirloom Tomato wrote:

This made me wonder what it would look like with two people engaged in conversation on the bench.

Photoshop 'em in - I know you can do it :)

Malky Loc: Originally UK, now Kansas City

deej wrote:

The vibrancy of the colors seems high to me. Was this the true colors or did the camera adjust them higher???

Thanks for taking the trouble to comment deej. I took this shot sometime ago and I honestly can't recall all post editing steps. It wasn't 'til I recropped to a more longitudinal view that it began to interest me. As to the colour of the grass - this is England's green and pleasant land.

:D

Malky Loc: Originally UK, now Kansas City

In fact Linda I seem to remember having to wait 'til the seat was vacant - not wanting to shoot it occupied. Which isn't to say that it might have been a better picture with some human interest. Thanks for your input though.

Linda From Maine wrote:

The green in the grass does seem a bit unnatural; however I agree with your reason for the interest. I want someone to come and sit there so they can enjoy that beauty!

Malky Loc: Originally UK, now Kansas City

Heirloom Tomato wrote:

This made me wonder what it would look like with two people engaged in conversation on the bench.

You may be right HT - as others pointed out it might be improved with some human company!

Malky Loc: Originally UK, now Kansas City

You're very observant to spot the contaminating leaves Chuck - of course they really bug me now! Thanks a lot! Appeciate your insightful comments.

Chuck_893 wrote:

I like this very much. I agree that there is a pro... (show quote)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

While I like the composition I cannot stop seeing the falling horizon line from the shrubs. As I am always curious I thought I would offer some alternatives.
- Cropped and toned the color slightly

Original

Cropped

Tight Crop