mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

Good/Evil, Light/Dark, or is it all same, just two sides of one coin. Same image, just reversed, wondering which people like better, or if it even matters to the overall image. I originally created the top image, wasn't till posting here I reversed it, now I am not sure which I like more.

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Daryls Loc: Waco, TX

MJC925,

I prefer your original first photo. It seems to flow well from positive to negative in the direction we tend to read. It is most pleasant. Great job!

Daryl

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Not sure I have a preference but the tied wrists don't quite work for me, hard to make out even with magnification. Images are so similar would be interesting just reversing the gun one?

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

the emotion works both ways: Dark=evil, Light=good;
1st = evil in charge; 2nd = good making a rescue

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Very cool.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Not to be political but in a second look with her being a police officer this could be a commentary on today's society. First of her defending against crime, second of how the police now have their hands tied. So would make me prefer 2nd image.

mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

Hi Stardust. I thought about just reversing the gun image, but honestly, it is the power imbalance that I wanted to convey between someone with power (gun) and someone without (tied up). I don't disagree that ropes are a bit hard to see, but not sure how to change that and sometimes I don't mind something subtle in a photo that changes the impression when you find it. Keeps your eyes roaming around the photo finding new things sometimes. In this case sorta like a "find the differences in the image game". Same girl, some pose, one prop difference changes the entire perception.

Thanks all for the comments and critiques.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Well, it definitely worked in these photos. My first impression, looking on my phone, was "why did the gun disappear on the right side?" Then on download saw was two different photos, wrist was tied, representing two different subjects. Finally on return view (I often do so on intriguing pics) I concluded my 2nd comment of police hands tied, not the criminals.

I always find your work thought provoking. Hopefully you find my comments positive and honest versus just "oohhs" and "aahhs".

mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

I am VERY pleased you provided feedback in a very professional and honest manner and opened a discussion. Doesn't happen enough, wish it happened more and sometimes I am as guilty as the next guy just handing out thumbs ups (which are good to, but nice to have both types of feedback).

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Both are strong shots and graphically splendid. Also pleased to see that finger is apparently outside the trigger guard.

mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

She was interesting to work with. Only model I have worked with that involved firearms (we shot (pun intended) several times with handguns). She was very clear with her weapons to show me her removing the magazine, clear the chamber every time we worked together. In a few shots, if you look really close (none I have posted yet) you can tell no magazine is inserted (and none of them were ever loaded anyway), which if you saw a few of the shots, as the photographer, I was very grateful of. She never offered and I never asked to hold any of her handguns. I can only imagine the training she has had working on the force of a good sized city.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

...just a thought. IF it intends to be commentary regarding police, would she/you consider doing this same shoot with her wearing her hat?

mjc925 Loc: SF Bay Area

Just for clarity, these images were taken 12-years ago, having nothing to do with her being a police officer. The only reason I even mentioned her profession was I thought it was sorta interesting a woman as attractive and fit as her was in that profession vs. being a model, influencer or whatever and it sorta helped explain her fearless and assertive personality in aspects of her life, including the first time she ever posed for a stranger, which was with me in these images. Personally as the photographer, it sorta enhances the images in my mind knowing that posing with guns and swords and weapons is part of who she is, someone who has a harder edge and walked the walk vs. someone being paid to hold a sword or handgun and once the shoot is completed will put them down forever. She has a natural comfort in some of the poses cause it is who she is every single day. Having seen what she has seen, there is a calm power and confidence to her that I found immensely appealing that I tried to capture. I have a feeling that I would have to be a WAY better photographer than I am to be able to pull off images with profound commentary without them looking staggeringly pretentious, so I think I must subconsciously avoid them.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I like these images, the only thing I dontlike is the shadow next to her foot, I wonder if that could be edited out.