Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Why amazed jaymatt?
I actually would have passed by this picture without commenting. I thought its a beautifully executed shot but Im not keen on the composition. The stalk needs moving to the right.
Then I got enthralled by the comments which went way off the critical path and evoked so many different memories for different people.
That's why this is probably a fantastic shot. It was not snapped by Sandra, it was thought out. What is not shown is as important as what is before your eyes.
Im not from farming stock or farming country but it has been truly fascinating reading here of the things that one corn stalk remind people of.
Thats whats amazing jaymat and the fact the poster has more insight into human nature and emotions than maybe you and I.

Regards Billyspad

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Since you asked, to me it's a corn stalk that was missed by the combine or picker--that's it. I can drive around my neighborhood and find one of the same thing in almost every field. I don't see it as artistic or symbolic or having hidden meaning. If you want to, that's fine, but I don't.

I mean no disrespect to the photographer at all, but since this was in the critique section, I offered my opinion. I felt I was entitled to do that. If I'm not, well, that's just too bad. Since I have made my opinion clear, I intend no further discussion on the subject.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

"I mean no disrespect to the photographer at all, but since this was in the critique section, I offered my opinion. I felt I was entitled to do that. If I'm not, well, that's just too bad. Since I have made my opinion clear, I intend no further discussion on the subject."

Well put and unarguable!

Dave

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

:-D :-D

Nightski

Yes, jaymatt, you have every right to your opinion. Thank you very much for sharing. It doesn't bother me at all that you don't get it. :-)

Nightski

Thank you for opening your mind to this unfamiliar subject, billyspad. But with you, I don't think it was difficult as you seem to go around with a pretty open mind. And anyway, we both know that it's

light
composition
subject

In that order. Because the best subject can be made to be boring with bad lighting and composition and the most mundane subject can be very special with the right light and composition.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

jaymatt, you certainly are totally entitled to your opinion and to voice it as such, and we all should be respectful of your opinion which was put so honestly and politely.
But you are selling yourself short, holding yourself back, looking at things through blinkers like this.
The better photographers can see and recognise when they can turn the mundane into the sublime, that is what makes them the "better photographers".
That is one of two points nightski was making with her reference to the Art Wolfe lesson. The other point is to "see the little picture within the big picture".
It is all about training the eye to see the beauty and form and function all around us, to get past photography being about "the subject", to the stage where it is more about the light and the composition.
Yes, the subject is all important, but it is the light and composition etc that provides the mood, the aesthetics, the "pop", the feel etc of the image.