Leopard on gold foil
Nov 22, 2019 12:46:50 #
rborud
Loc: Minnesota
Hi All A friend of mine who now lives in Nairobi sent me a very garden variety snapshot of a leopard in a tree. Then asked me to gentrify it into something decorative to be used in a home. After much thought this is what I sent back. I called it Leopard on gold foil. Thoughts, even if it leaves me bleeding. Thanks all RBorud
Nov 22, 2019 12:49:26 #
If you really want my honesty, I don't like it. It is hard on my old eyes, confusing as well. The "gold" color detracts from the image of the cat.
Nov 22, 2019 12:50:12 #
Nov 22, 2019 12:59:37 #
I think it would have appeal to those that lean towards abstracts. I like the overall color tones and I think the gold background works. But personally I want to see a leopard first, not the idea of a leopard. It would be interesting to see the original.
Nov 22, 2019 13:02:25 #
I like it! It is jarring to the senses and screams 'Look At Me'. Not every photo should be soft and pleasing some should grab you and shake you violently.
Nov 22, 2019 13:24:50 #
toxdoc42 wrote:
If you really want my honesty, I don't like it. It is hard on my old eyes, confusing as well. The "gold" color detracts from the image of the cat.
I fully agree, it is confusing!
Nov 22, 2019 13:50:11 #
As artistic interpretation, it's very cool. The only negative for me is that the head disappears into the tree trunk while the rest of the body does not.
Nov 22, 2019 13:51:47 #
rborud wrote:
Hi All A friend of mine who now lives in Nairobi sent me a very garden variety snapshot of a leopard in a tree. Then asked me to gentrify it into something decorative to be used in a home. After much thought this is what I sent back. I called it Leopard on gold foil. Thoughts, even if it leaves me bleeding. Thanks all RBorud
Sorry, but that's just bad, aweful!
Nov 22, 2019 13:51:55 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
I like it! It is jarring to the senses and screams 'Look At Me'. Not every photo should be soft and pleasing some should grab you and shake you violently.
A good example of how two people can have two entirely different opinions about the same thing---and equally valid for each of them.
To me the pic screams ---Look Away NOW!! And, I do appreciate off beat and unusual pix and paintings etc.
I bet Timothy Leary would appreciate it, tho.
Nov 22, 2019 19:08:29 #
I am intrigued with your use of the gold foil and I think it might work better with a different photo. I'll get back to this in a minute.
Background works best when it enhances the subject. The gold color and the "texture" in the foil are over powering your subject. If you are compositing layers try going back to the foil only layer and desaturate a little to dial back the color and adding some blur to slightly tone down the texture. If you really want to enhance the cat and tree look at softer, complimentary (or neutral) non-textured colors for your background. There is texture in the tree, add to that the pattern of the cat's spots and you have two things that are competing for attention. Adding a third element, your foil, adds more confusion. The eye doesn't know where to look first. Our brains look to make order out of chaos and when there are too many elements demanding attention the brain will classify it as confusing, unlikeable, or unsettling.
Consider this: you are a manager and two employees have come to you wanting to speak to you. They are arguing back and forth that each was there first and should get your attention. Now a third employee arrives and is not only demanding attention, but is jumping up and down and waving their arms. You now have to decide how to bring order to the situation and which employee you will see first (your main subject in a photo), let the second know they will be seen next (surrounding objects) and get the third to settle into place and wait their turn (background). Not an accurate analogy but I think you see that each piece of the picture has a place it needs to be to work together.
I do want to point out that the cat's face is lost. Personally, I want to see his big beautiful face and his eyes in particular.
To get back to the foil. Adding a little blur and desaturaion will help set it as the background and then composite objects that are strong shapes and colors i.e. a black vase, colored Christmas tree balls. Try to use objects that have little or no detail and allow you foil to be the only item of strong texture.
Please note that this is JUST MY OPINION. If you are happy with it and the person you intend this for is happy with it than don't change a thing. ULITIMATELY, YOUR OPINION IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
Keep trying with it. I look forward to seeing what else you can do!!!
Dodie
Background works best when it enhances the subject. The gold color and the "texture" in the foil are over powering your subject. If you are compositing layers try going back to the foil only layer and desaturate a little to dial back the color and adding some blur to slightly tone down the texture. If you really want to enhance the cat and tree look at softer, complimentary (or neutral) non-textured colors for your background. There is texture in the tree, add to that the pattern of the cat's spots and you have two things that are competing for attention. Adding a third element, your foil, adds more confusion. The eye doesn't know where to look first. Our brains look to make order out of chaos and when there are too many elements demanding attention the brain will classify it as confusing, unlikeable, or unsettling.
Consider this: you are a manager and two employees have come to you wanting to speak to you. They are arguing back and forth that each was there first and should get your attention. Now a third employee arrives and is not only demanding attention, but is jumping up and down and waving their arms. You now have to decide how to bring order to the situation and which employee you will see first (your main subject in a photo), let the second know they will be seen next (surrounding objects) and get the third to settle into place and wait their turn (background). Not an accurate analogy but I think you see that each piece of the picture has a place it needs to be to work together.
I do want to point out that the cat's face is lost. Personally, I want to see his big beautiful face and his eyes in particular.
To get back to the foil. Adding a little blur and desaturaion will help set it as the background and then composite objects that are strong shapes and colors i.e. a black vase, colored Christmas tree balls. Try to use objects that have little or no detail and allow you foil to be the only item of strong texture.
Please note that this is JUST MY OPINION. If you are happy with it and the person you intend this for is happy with it than don't change a thing. ULITIMATELY, YOUR OPINION IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
Keep trying with it. I look forward to seeing what else you can do!!!
Dodie
Nov 22, 2019 21:19:47 #
I think points made by Curmudgeon and Linda from Maine are the best for what you wanted to do. Solid work! Your friend got what he requested, much more than a nice leopard with a nice background.
Nov 23, 2019 07:15:07 #
Nov 23, 2019 09:38:54 #
It's creative and imaginative. But I lose the cat. Could the background be toned down a bit so that he remains prominent?
Nov 23, 2019 15:26:36 #
Attractive as an “object” but hard for me to separate the cat from background.
Nov 23, 2019 15:36:39 #
On this one I have to agree with those that don't really like it. Too much abstract and not enough leopard.
But it is personal taste and if you are happy with it and your friend who took the original image likes it that is all that matters.
If the leopard stood out more and the foil etc was background or complimenting it then I could like it. But for me too much of the leopard is lost.
But it is personal taste and if you are happy with it and your friend who took the original image likes it that is all that matters.
If the leopard stood out more and the foil etc was background or complimenting it then I could like it. But for me too much of the leopard is lost.
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