u asked in the forums for honest comment, well here goes. just my opinion as a newbie to photography so pls dont strangle me.
what i like:
the smart use of empty space
good choice to make it B&W
good idea of someone locked out from the outside
what i dislike:
model (not that he is bad looking, but i find "acted" (setup?) shots by actors potraying a false emotion... well, emotionless. the model looks like he was peeping thru a hole rather than being locked up in solitary, which i assume is your intention with this photo.
hope you're not offended. its just my newbie opinion, like i said.
I voted this image a six and feel that you have a very good capture that suits the challenge perfectly but it was just a few little aspects that could have given this image that "wow" factor to get you a ribbon.
Firstly the amount of negative space is not a real issue with me and infact helps the balance, emotion and composition but the average voter here will only see it as blackness.This could have been compensated if a little more soft light could have been shed on the subject maybe from below.
Regarding the subject(prisoner)if you were able to get more of a slight profile angle rather then from behind you would have been able to capture more emotion in the his face also to add more drama it would have been improved if the subject looked harder or more criminal eg tattooed skin, beard or a scar.
Another little nit-pick is the eye level seems to be above the opening giving the impression that he is looking down I think this could have been improved by being level or perhaps even slightly below.
A top ten finish in this very hard challenge is a great effort and my critique is just my own personel feelings on this image.
I like the shot a lot but since you asked in forums for negative reactions, I'll give you my main niggle - the glowing of his eye - it makes this creepy in a sci-fi way rather than ominous in a more unsettling way. Other than that I think it's excellent - the unusual compositional placement makes it feel off-balance which is perfect for the subject matter. The subtle lighting lets most of the subject remain in shadow, adding greatly to the atmosphere created and the enigmatic nature of the image.
PS I didn't vote but would have given a 7 or thereabouts, so am not one of those you were seeking when soliciting opinions. However since I had a negative reaction to offer to one small aspect, I thought I'd post.
I really like this shot. My first instinct is to say move your subject to the left, but my first instinct is wrong. I love the feeling of emptiness in the black and the washed out white through the gap. I didn't get the time to vote in this challenge (not enough to be fair at least) I probably would have given this at least an 8 and probably a 9. I think you really captured the mood you were going for.
It's a terrific shot, with conotations that could go well beyond the realms of DPC. It's stark and interesting and intense, consider a nice large blow up. Well Done!
Love it. It actually has something to do with the challenge description. Somehow missed this one in the vote. Would have given it a 8-9 because: beautiful lighting, well balanced cropping and simply the "professionality" feel.
I maybe would have compressed the image less. There's some slight posterisation in the back of the head.
Very nice shot, and a good choice for b/w usage. I feel though that this would be more effective with a stronger light source coming in through the slit. Perhaps a higher contrast value. Perhaps a closer crop to the head area. As it is, the impact of the light dissipates towards the left side of the frame, and I feel the drama factor is lost a bit on that negative space. Personally, I'd have gone for a square crop of the head and the slit.
That's a very fine photograph, and a brilliant figurative as well as literal satisfaction of the challenge topic. Outstanding among the several exceptional qualities of this image is its composition. A lesser photographer (me, for example) might have cropped out or failed to include much of the dark area behind the subject's head. Yet it is this profound well of blackness that establishes the real power of the image as a stunning commentary on the meaning of darkness. Also superb is the focus of attention established on the subject's eye; it's a tiny part of the photograph, but everything takes you there; the light, the top edge of the slit in the door, even the nose and cheek profiles. Great leading lines! I think it's a fabulous achievement; so good we may even see the best photograph win this challenge. 10
Very good interpretation of the challenge topic. Nice expression even though facing away. The overexposed openning to the outside world works perfect in this situation. The hint of detail beyond the guy's ear without really showing it is a nice touch. Good solid black background. This should score reasonable high.
IMO, you've done the best job far & above any other at capturing what I believe is the spirit of this challenge, while doing a wonderful job of it. Just fantastic. This is one of my picks for a ribbon, good luck!
really really *really great concept and so wonderfully executed. from his expression and erect stare..you can just feel that he is being held there. held in the dark..man really great work!
Oh!
I didnt get this photo the first time. Duh. Here i was thinking he had Cyclones lazr eye ability. How dumb am i.
What it is meant to mean makes a lot more sense! You know for sure this one is bumping up. Good thing i'm looking at images a second time over haha.
Excellent answer to the challenge; minimalistic, evocative and effective..I like the overall use of darkness with the impact of the slit of light on face...9
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