A Strange Self Portrait: Yesterday, sundown, in the delta. I was making some images of the shadows running across the fields, when I noticed that "I" was standing on the foot or paw of...

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Yesterday, sundown, in the delta. I was making some images of the shadows running across the fields, when I noticed that "I" was standing on the foot or paw of some earthbound aberrant delta giant. Once I could see it, I couldn't not see it, so I took "our" photo and of course had to share it. The original is quite colorful but the black and white seemed interesting too.

I don't know that it even merits critiquing but I would be interested in your "consideration". The delta is a strange place and I tend to make strange images when there.

(Download)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I think it's one of those images that are intriguing when they come with the story, but they need the story to explain them. On its own it probably won't mean much to anybody since they probably won't notice your giant's paw until somebody points it out to them. But the shadows in general are interesting and well-captured :-) .

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

I think it's a strange surreal image, I love it!

Dave Chinn

minniev wrote:

Yesterday, sundown, in the delta. I was making som... (show quote)

minniev, I don't consider this strange at all !!! Different, yes, but not strange. However, I do like it because it is different. Your shadow goes quite well with the image. Actually, I can't imagine this image without your shadow. I think the shadow completes the image. Well done.
Dave

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Put me in the like it column. I would not have seen the footprint as well but the patterns of light and shadow keep my eyes amused.

Have you looked at removing one element, the sky? ...and cropping just a sliver above the distant trees on the horizon?

or does that make it too bottom heavy..

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

R.G. wrote:

I think it's one of those images that are intriguing when they come with the story, but they need the story to explain them. On its own it probably won't mean much to anybody since they probably won't notice your giant's paw until somebody points it out to them. But the shadows in general are interesting and well-captured :-) .

Thanks RG. I suspected that, it is too odd to stand much on its own, unless I connected it to other odd delta pictures, like the dead alligator gars or something.

It was the shadows that made me stop, then I got stuck!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Bushpilot wrote:

I think it's a strange surreal image, I love it!

Thank you for sharing and glad you liked it. Surreal is a good word for it.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

DEC wrote:

minniev, I don't consider this strange at all !!! Different, yes, but not strange. However, I do like it because it is different. Your shadow goes quite well with the image. Actually, I can't imagine this image without your shadow. I think the shadow completes the image. Well done.
Dave

Oh now, that could mean you're as strange as I am:) I couldn't resist taking it. I do appreciate your sharing your thoughts and glad you liked it.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

dansmith wrote:

Put me in the like it column. I would not have seen the footprint as well but the patterns of light and shadow keep my eyes amused.

Have you looked at removing one element, the sky? ...and cropping just a sliver above the distant trees on the horizon?

or does that make it too bottom heavy..

Thank you for your comments, glad you liked it, and I do appreciate the suggestion. I tried it, and also one that crops about half that much, and I think you're onto something there. Appreciate the idea!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I love Dan's idea to crop the sky, leaving just a teensy white above the horizon line. Makes it a much stronger image of lines and shadows - very interesting with that bit of trim.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

minniev wrote:

I would be interested in your "consideration"

You have a unique shot here minniev. As it is, I really find no flaws. If you are wanting a different look I would suggest hard contrast and clarity for a real gritty look. Crop from the left past the tree so the black line dies out just below the thirds line above the left corner. Crop down just below the very top cloud. While your story might reflect your thoughts and reason for the shot, the elements here are certainly strong enough for the photo to stand on its own.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Linda From Maine wrote:

I love Dan's idea to crop the sky, leaving just a teensy white above the horizon line. Makes it a much stronger image of lines and shadows - very interesting with that bit of trim.

Ya'll are probably right about the crop. Thanks!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Frank2013 wrote:

You have a unique shot here minniev. As it is, I really find no flaws. If you are wanting a different look I would suggest hard contrast and clarity for a real gritty look. Crop from the left past the tree so the black line dies out just below the thirds line above the left corner. Crop down just below the very top cloud. While your story might reflect your thoughts and reason for the shot, the elements here are certainly strong enough for the photo to stand on its own.

Thanks Frank for the feedback and the ideas. I will try that and see. This hasn't had much PP, just a Lightroom conversion to see what it would shape up like in monochrome, because I thought to put it in the dustbin. But I may fiddle a bit with the crops, and some "real" PP.

photosbytw Loc: Blue Ridge Mountains

Cool shot m...........just an idea, what about adding grain to the image?

minniev wrote:

Thanks Frank for the feedback and the ideas. I will try that and see. This hasn't had much PP, just a Lightroom conversion to see what it would shape up like in monochrome, because I thought to put it in the dustbin. But I may fiddle a bit with the crops, and some "real" PP.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

photosbytw wrote:

Cool shot m...........just an idea, what about adding grain to the image?

Probably so. If I'm gonna keep this oddball shot I'll do more with it in silver efex or Tonality, this is just a LR conversion to float out there and see, it is not what I usually do.

Thanks for the kind words and the idea!