Shadows: Really curious about your thoughts on this?

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

Really curious about your thoughts on this?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Very interesting, Linda! The design of the lamp is striking. I have a little bit of a disconnect, though, in trying to tie together the two main elements. The woman's shadow is subtle, somewhat mysterious and also calming - perhaps could even describe as ephemeral. The lamp is sleek and mostly sharply defined, strongly anchored. I'll be very interested in your own description and what drew you to shoot this.

Have you tried without the vignette? I personally don't feel it adds to the look, but perhaps depends on what you want to convey.

A creative, provocative image to ponder!

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

Thank you Linda. I did this with my iPhone but will try it again tomorrow with my "real" camera and keeping your comments in mind. The shadow is me and that is what first caught my eye. The lamp just happened to be there. This is a house where I am pet sitting so I do not have access anytime. Anyway, stay tuned! It just looked like something I should pursue.

Linda From Maine wrote:

Very interesting, Linda! The design of the lamp is... (show quote)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Linda2 wrote:

... Anyway, stay tuned! It just looked like something I should pursue.

Staying tuned with interest

ediesaul

Linda2 wrote:

Really curious about your thoughts on this?

I very much like this photo. You have a good eye. I agree that the vignetting doesn't add to the photo. I like that the shadow's color blends with the background. If the photo were mine, I would try to get rid of the lump on the left side, whatever it is. I also would play with contrast.

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

ediesaul wrote:

I very much like this photo. You have a good eye. I agree that the vignetting doesn't add to the photo. I like that the shadow's color blends with the background. If the photo were mine, I would try to get rid of the lump on the left side, whatever it is. I also would play with contrast.

Thank you for your thoughts Edie. I agree about the lump on the left which I had not noticed and the vignetting. This was done with a preset macfun filter that added the vertical lines and the vignett so I can not play with the effect but I will go back to the original and play some more and also try to get another image to work with when I revisit the place and hope the light coming through the window is the same! I really appreciate your comments and am glad you like it. It is encouraging!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

For me it's an image of two parts (lamp and shadow) where either and both parts would stand well on their own. The form of the lamp is interesting enough to warrant a study of the whole thing, as is the shadow, which is 'intererferred with' rather than aided by the lamp. Any chance the lamp could be moved in order to separate the two? Really love the processing effect, which could still be used for the separate both, perhaps fading it slightly for the shadow. I don't expect others to agree of course, but that's the joy of photography!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Shadows speak of mystery and suggest the possibility of drama. The idea's OK, but perhaps a less domestic setting might help

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I'd like to see both the window shade and the lamp shadows brought closer together in value range--that seems to be your idea, and is what most intrigues me. The vignetting seems to say that that there's some story, a visual effect movies use. I think it narrows the viewer's options.

Great image.

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

magnetoman wrote:

For me it's an image of two parts (lamp and shadow... (show quote)

Absolutely. It would be pretty boring if we all thought alike! I too wondered about the combo of the lamp and the shadow and if they really went together or not so I am happy to have your comments too. I can separate the two easily enough but cannot get the whole lamp, as it is not my house and would involve too much furniture moving!🙄 Anyway I plan on playing with it a bit more. Unfortunately today didn't work as it is cloudy and there was no shadows at all.☹️Appreciate your response!

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

artBob wrote:

I'd like to see both the window shade and the lamp shadows brought closer together in value range--that seems to be your idea, and is what most intrigues me. The vignetting seems to say that that there's some story, a visual effect movies use. I think it narrows the viewer's options.

Great image.

Appreciate that artBob! If I could have I would of at least lightened the vignett but I couldn't with that filter. Anyway I am happy to have gotten enough response that I am looking forward to more time with this idea. Thank you!

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

R.G. wrote:

Shadows speak of mystery and suggest the possibility of drama. The idea's OK, but perhaps a less domestic setting might help

Interesting comment R.G. I am wondering if by "less domestic" you mean the lamp??? I keep thinking of an Alfred Hitchcock scene when I look at it and that certainly relates to mystery and drama.
Explain a bit more to me,(only if you wish!)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Linda2 wrote:

....I am wondering if by "less domestic" you mean the lamp???....

Mainly the lamp, but anything which suggests a living room (the shadow suggests a Venetian blind). Living rooms don't typically conjure up expectations of mystery and adventure.

The lamp may suggest Alfred Hitchcock to you, but it doesn't suggest mystery and intrigue to me - at least not until you suggested it (and I'm probably not alone). That's one of the potential problems when you run with a very personalised impression. Subjects that suggest things to you may be missing the mark with a wider audience. If this exercise was purely for your own enjoyment then fair enough, but having your finger on the pulse sometimes requires us to detach from a purely subjective mode of perception. Sometimes we have to silence "self" in order to communicate in a more universal language.

Presumably you posted this to get feedback that originates from something other than your own subjectivity. The good news is that if you ever did succeed in getting your finger on the collective pulse in an original and creative way, it could prove very rewarding (and lucrative).

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

R.G. wrote:

Mainly the lamp, but anything which suggests a liv... (show quote)

Thank you for your response R.G. I'm afraid I have not put quite so much thought into the shot. I simply liked my shadow on the wall and the lamp just happened to be there. It was very "spur of the moment" and I just had my iPhone. After a bit of pp work I was simply curious what others thought and so I went to FYC. I definitely do wonder about my own judgement sometimes! I had interesting replies so I do plan on revisiting with my camera next week when the sun is out again.
The Alfred Hitchcock idea didn't come until after posting and that lamp is a bit modern for that era for sure. I really wasn't going for that or a sense of mystery and adventure. I just liked the feel of the shapes and light.
I do appreciate your response. It is a lot of "food for thought"!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Linda2 wrote:

Thank you for your response R.G. I'm afraid I have... (show quote)

You're welcome, Linda. You would be right in thinking that it's possible to over-think things, but it doesn't do any harm to be reminded of some home truths. The more personalised and subjective something is, the more limited the positive responders will be. With anything subjective, some people will get it, some won't (you don't need me to tell you that, but an occasional reminder doesn't go amiss). This kind of photography is inspired by subjective reaction, so the target audience will always be limited. Acknowledging that will help you to deal with the inevitable mixed response without taking anything personally. And it's something you'd need to be aware of if you did ever go pursuing a wider audience.