I think I've used up all the superlatives I'm capable of for this remarkable photograph, but I need to argue for your original title.
It is this very title which charges the image with an amusing hyperbolic surreality measuring a considerable range given by the two aesthetic extremes present here: the dynamics of the spectacle at the bottom of the frame (both bold and fine) and the minute size of it, never mind the contrast between the expansive monochrome/-tone treatment, which is almost a 'gravity', and an appearance of incidental playfulness for what must have presented the actual human subjects depicted here with a dramatically 'real' challenge involving variable degrees of physical effort and attention on their part.
The detached, philosophical amusement so deliberately and deliciously invoked and applied here is not something I can, easily, sacrifice at the altar of a lesser deity. :-)
It is a wonderfully 'light' title, utterly appropiate for the universally small drama it points, in human history and under the sky.
Although I hoped it would do better I realized this photo wouldn't score high, because it's a photo that one either likes or not. I submitted it anyhow, because I think it's a unique catch and a very interresting image overall. For me, that's worth more than a high ranking.
Personally I like this image very much, because its's kind of a "story-telling" image and the viewer can make up his own story. There are several ways to look at this photo and the mixed comments are a proof of that.
I titled his photo "Megalomania" because that's what I thought describes the photo best. "All we are is dust in the wind" as John Setzler mentioned in his comment might be a very good title too though. Funny I didn't think of that myself, because it's my favorite song :)
I've also been doubting if I should tittle it "Leonardo" or "Wright brothers" because of the old-fashioned pioneer-feeling of the image and I'm glad that others had that feeling as well.
Maybe this man had grand dreams of flying into the sky suggested by the negative space.Other than that, I just see five people working to get a glider into the air. Composition is good by putting the negative space in front of the glider (mostly). 6
Great title, great concept. The people look so small, like insolent ants, trying to fly. The effect is strenghten by the fact that you left a lot of sky. I would increase contrast a little bit to make it more dramatic - but I'm not sure about it. Just an idea.
A very nice subdued tone but with highly exciting action. The great ceiling height give breath to the experience. While it does not have a high impact it does deliver a unique interpretation of showing an exhilirating past time with the force of sheer simplicity. Bumping up to 7
In just a few short seconds this photo has grown on me and I like it very much. Has a historical feel to it. Cropping is impeccable and the height of the image, as well as, the dark solid earth really give this picture great impact. Very very well done. 10
I like the tension created by positioning the subject so low in a vertical format. However, I find the sky is a bit too 'blah' to carry so much weight in the composition.
I like the negative space and the feeling of action in your picture. All that room above the subject makes me feel that is where he wants to be. Good shot
I am sorry I find this image not particularly appealing. The large empty space does not work for me because it is just a flat and dull grey, I would have understood it better if it emphasised the enormous spcae around us, for example by using colors and having some great clouds in there. Then I also would have understood the title, which does not seem to fit at the moment. And finally I find the distance to the persons too big. A shot closer and more from underneath would have emphased the height, the ambition to fly. etc.
A silhouette needs other detail or splash of color to really bring it off. The subject is interesting but there is too much gray nothingness. A good cropping would enhance this for me.
The use of negative space on this shot is very well done and I love the subject matter, are they people flying? It looks like fun! The overall shot seems to lack just a touch of contrast to me though, a 9
It's a good photo, but not that interesting. I like the expanse of sky, but the gray tones are a bit much. I wonder what this looks like in color... Anyway, I like it, but not very high on the WOW factor... Thanks, though!
megalomania? I acn't get past this title. I do like the negative space, the subtle detail in the silhouettes and the placement of the horizon and men is nice, and the subject is interssting.
great moment captured. it has almost a Wright Brothers feel to it. I like the mount of sky you included to enhance the sense of scale but it might have worked a little better with less.
wow interesting photo :D hehehe looks like a very interesting sport and a gr8 photo too! though IMHO i believe there is too much sky and overbalances (if thats a word) the composition of this photo... possibly tone down the vastness of the sky a tad and i believe it would improve this photo greatly
An intriguing shot... I don't quite understand what's happening. Is this a man attached to a kite? Is this a hanglider being flown as a kite? Why is this megalomania? Great composition, but I wish there was more detail in the sky. 7
meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a
1. A psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence.
2. An obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions.
Cool image, it feels very 1900s. The huge space above the people really gives some perspective that a tight crop wouldn't give.
Very intriguing... excellent mood as well. I like the negative space here and the way it supports the 'theme' of this image. "All we are is dust in the wind" :) We do have grand ideas and aspirations to be more :) Great work... = 10
I think your use of negative space here is a little extreme. Perhaps croping the shot to landscape format could help relieve that excess space. Other than that, I like the silouhette and it is a very good capture of a great moment.
Not really sure about this image it is stricking yet dull
I am trying to make my mind up about this
It is cleverly positioned in the frame very different and no real detail yet it says so much I think I find this image clever
not quite sure about the title. Stark image and composition but perhaps not simple enough..extra figures distract. Being cheeky to my betters, might I suggest just one lower figure...kind of like a kite flyer?
I really like the feeling of smallness you give your subjects here, and the implication that they are "flying a kite" is great too. There's just some factor missing in it that I can't put a finger on. Perhaps it's the sky.. the overcast is just too static for me, although the shading from your silhouetted to the gray, to the lighter gray and white in the corner helps. Still, it's a 7 from me, as it just doesn't "pop" for me.
Outstanding, simple, surreal - a perfect example of classic photography.
I feel profoundly exhilarated by this unexpected find: a timeless subject which never ceases to excite the imagination, a distinctly deliberate composition, which makes cosmic child's play out of our endeavors, a wonderful detached perspective, something rarely present in contemporary photography.
The dynamic between the near-silhouetted men, accentuated by both intervals and lines is deliciously contrasted with the slumped pose of the flyer hanging from his precarious perch. Even the exposure, trimmed to the sky, where the action is, renders a fine gradation of tones -tangibly.
The portrait format, apt to more than this purpose, employs the whole vertical expanse of sky (all the gauze-like subtlety of it) to counter-weigh the silhouetted base of the image. The effect, although not new, has been so nearly forgotten that, at least to me, seeing it resurrected here so simply feels dramatically new and fresh.
The title, too, moves me like a 24-karat surrealist hyperbole :-), nevertheless distinctly consistent with the visual manner of this remarkable capture.
I have not given out a 10 in about a year or so. Here it is.
-Use it wisely. ;-)
This is an interesting photo, but I gave it a 5 because I thought there was too much empty space at the top and the actual image was too small in the photograph to suit my particular tastes.
This is so cool- I love that the horizon is sloped and there's a great use of negative space. The black and white is great and I love how there's such teamwork and that guy looks like he's having fun. Great job 10
I'm curious to see if you get comments on having too much sky. I like it, and commend you for subtle rule-breaking. The composition creates a feeling of the glider pilot's feel as he heads for the wide open sky, as opposed to focusing on the tethers to earth. This is a great image!
I like the use of negative space here, though the sloped ground seems to throw things off a little bit, as it fools with my sense of horizon. As a result, the people appear to be leaning a bit unnaturally. Also, I would have liked to see either a more intentional silhouette approach with less detail on the people, or a bit more exposure on them to bring out some of the variation. Right now, the foreground elements get caught between the extremes of silhouette and enough exposure to see detail.
I am a fan of the creative use of negative space. I would probably crop about an inch from the top for this one ... for utility (so when your viewers with smaller monitors open this page, you see the picture right away, and not just a gray space).
I am a fan of negative space and silhouettes, and in this case you have very interesting silhouettes, however I think there is too much sky with no detail. If the sky had better defined clouds to make it more dramatic, I think this crop would work, as it does suggest we are tiny as humans and there is a huge expanse of space for us to explore above us, but I think in this case, a landscape crop on the people, cutting off just above the glider, would look better. 7
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