Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

An interesting concept, I really like it!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Glad you like it Bushpilot, and thanks for looking-in.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I kind of read the other comments from last to first, so I didn't see the sculpture's title until after I'd gone through the rest - how fascinating to learn it is "Strength," so different from your portrayal and what others (myself included) got from your vision.

#2 is very powerful, and I'm impressed with your ability to produce convincing shadows of the bars! I would resist adding other elements, such as pill bottles, because I think the bars, the light, and the figure's pose impart a strong message already, while allowing the viewer to fill in the details based on our own experiences or imagination.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Yes, I found the title strange for the pose as well Linda. Lovely work though - yours for £3500, which may seem cheap to you as our pound suffers from Brexit? I do get Dave's idea with the pills but prefer as is. More space for the viewers imagination, as you suggest. Good to hear from you.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Powerful composite, and I think you achieved what you wanted. The capture of the sculpture is very good, with all that grain and shadow and form, with it's suggestion of coiled and restrained strength. Then you shut the door and REALLY restrain him! Great conceptualization. As far as the presentation, I think some retrieval of the brights in the gates and lock before compositing would help the piece come together. Shiny surfaces are so hard to photograph. If your original has the detail you could probably overlay it and mask the detail in. Excellent manufacture of those shadows! Intriguing artwork, your creativity is inspiring.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for your comments Min. The gates are a poor shot. To make a decent image I will have to find something similar and shoot it specifically for this composite - too far to go back and redo this one and I'm not keen on 'stock' from others.
I had another attempt this evening at creating the shadows more technically, using warp within free transform, but that didn't work so I reverted to my original thought of puppet warp. That works but the end result wasn't as pleasing as the freehand of yesterday! Shadows on curves are not the easiest thing get right, that's for sure.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

awesome work! Pent up power for sure. For me, caging is the story. The strength is there to burst through the small bars and tiny chains and lock, but the golem chooses to crouch in the shadows. Be wary of what you cage in, the release can be frightening.

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

Not usually a composite guy, but I find these very forceful and beautifully done. I think the first stands on its own for its strength and complex texture. The second is more of a statement, and is perceived differently, but is also worthwhile.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Photo 1: I think that the image is very powerful as presented here. The shadows and that wonderful contrast give us pause to think about the turmoil raging in this tormented soul. There is a simplicity to the composition that belies the complex emotional strength of this sculpture and your interpretation of it. It is a very good photo that takes the artwork of another and presents in a a manner that sheds insight into your own thought process. When you do this using another artist's work, you are adding your vision to the original sculpture. Very effective.

Photo2: This has a completely different feel for me. By adding the bars, you take away the idea of individual and very personal turmoil. This becomes a man suffering the restraints placed upon him by others. One interpretation would be the agony that comes from incarceration. Another interpretation would be the feeling of being trapped our shackled by circumstances of our own doing. Perhaps he is in an unhappy relationship and can't envision a way out. Perhaps he is in a job that is sapping the life out of him. Dave suggested the idea of addiction and the despair that can come from that. This idea works for me as well.

Each photo has its own personality and both are well done, well executed and extremely well thought out. These are both magnificent. I congratulate you.
Erich

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for commenting Piet and the education. I now know what a golem is, in both historic Jewish terms and Pokemon-talk! I'm going with the Jewish version for my picture.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks cabunit, glad you called-in.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Many thanks for your interesting interpretations Erich, and you're right, that's just what I wanted viewers to do, see it in their own way