Sand and Shells: I got the shells the other day with the idea of making a picture. Using the shells I made the design then added the sand and ivy background with a picture I downloaded...

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I got the shells the other day with the idea of making a picture. Using the shells I made the design then added the sand and ivy background with a picture I downloaded from Pixels.
Comments welcome.
Jim

(Download)

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Jim I have liked all of the shots I have seen you post and you have great post processing knowledge and skills but this one, while beautifully processed, has a design issue for me. Maybe its just me but I find it rather phallic. I am not a prude by any means and I am not raising the "I am offended flag". I would just like to see the shells rearranged a little differently maybe. The colors look great in the sand.

I don't think I can watch Patrick the star fish on Sponge Bob Square Pants anymore without seeing this.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

WOW! I would like to hear other comments. I thought I was shaping it like a fan.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Jim I did not mean to imply that you did it deliberately and if I offended you I deeply apologize. It was my bad attempt at humor and it was inappropriate.

MichaelEBM Loc: Los Angeles CA

My issue with the shells, Jim, is that their placement seems too "deliberate." Perhaps you can experiment with placing them more randomly (like the ivy) for a more casual shot.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Beautiful technique, but I think too much of a fight going on in the composition. Since the shell is the star and the greens a supporting actor, how about cropping the greens until they provide some contrast and lead the eye around to the shell rather than upstaging the shell?

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

artBob wrote:

Beautiful technique, but I think too much of a fight going on in the composition. Since the shell is the star and the greens a supporting actor, how about cropping the greens until they provide some contrast and lead the eye around to the shell rather than upstaging the shell?

I agree it need some more adjustments. Thanks Bob.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Jim-Pops wrote:

I got the shells the other day with the idea of making a picture. Using the shells I made the design then added the sand and ivy background with a picture I downloaded from Pixels.
Comments welcome.
Jim

I came away with a very different impression than what has been posted. It is clear that the shells are "placed". The leaves, however, look completely natural and I don't think that the shells need to be "arranged" randomly. I think I would leave it as is. It is a still life, and they are arranged. I'm not sure I got the same take that Kennievans did. It did, however, make me chuckle.
Erich

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

ebrunner wrote:

I came away with a very different impression than what has been posted. It is clear that the shells are "placed". The leaves, however, look completely natural and I don't think that the shells need to be "arranged" randomly. I think I would leave it as is. It is a still life, and they are arranged. I'm not sure I got the same take that Kennievans did. It did, however, make me chuckle.
Erich

Thanks Erich,
The way you saw it is exactly how I intended it to be seen and understood. There is always another opinion as you have noticed in the comments.
Thanks for taking time to post your thoughts.
Jim

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Unfortunately I’ve recently seen a contrived still life that was definitely along the lines that Keni mentions - and your image reminds me of that one whilst being far more subtle. I also see the fan or flower intended, but that doesn’t fit with the shells for me. Still, I like the idea, and all the elements are appealing, particularly as I often see them locally. Just needs another crack at it I think Jim.