Not gonna say anything about this shot other than to express thanks to a wonderful friend and very talented artist called Alan Hunniset who spent ages talking with me about arrangements for still life and helping me with this set up through his expertise.
Est Score. - 6.8
Dream score - 7.4
Yes I am mad, I have had 3 5's on the trot and feel this time I have created the best image I have ever submitted to DPC.. I am so excited and I hope you, The voter, can enjoy this work as much as I. If it gets voted low, I don't mind, I love it.
Post challenge: I am totally honoured with the 4th placing THANK YOU! even more honoured with the FAVS (thanks Ursula) About setting up still lifes, well firstly I think you need to have interesting shapes and objects, then I was told by my friend that need to create pleasing ways into the image through lines and colours hence the tall flower to guide the eye into the center frame with the slant of the arranged fruit down to the lonesome single peach that then introduces the vase, similar in shape but not in texture or colour, I was also told that you should include a fair amount of table as to balance the shot out a bit.. I tried many set ups and this one seemed to jump off the page at me.
This is an outtake that didn't work for me as it seemed too cluttered
For those interested here is the original resized only image
This photo is now available as a print. I don't know why it is not showing under the image yet
Here is the printable image (MAK Error)
Statistics
Place: 4 out of 206 Avg (all users): 6.6174 Avg (commenters): 7.7273 Avg (participants): 6.3678 Avg (non-participants): 6.9677 Views since voting: 6809 Views during voting: 396 Votes: 149 Comments: 66 Favorites: 23 (view)
This indeed is very much like a real painting. Great effort, Mak. The only thing that doesn't quite ring true as a painting is the quality of the reflected light on the vase.
You should check out this gal's folder; she was featured in Popular Photo magazine, Oct 07 (I saw it today in the library, and thought of your photo here...)
Gorgeous still life - like a Dutch Master. Artful and painterly. Not so "impressionistic" in my opinion, but a stunning achievement that you have every reason to be proud of.
Agree absolutely with Connie. This IS a piece of art and you are rightly proud of it! Marac, I congratulate you on 4th place with this wonderful image.
I gave your beautiful image a 10 as well!! This is one of the most gorgeous images I've ever seen. I agree your photo is truly a work of art. Congratulations!!
This is a very beautiful picture, but it doesn't look very "impressionist". You should have used a filter or smth else in order to enhance some strokes. One of the trademarks of impressionism is the visible brushstrokes, which do not appear in your picture.
I am sorry to be the one that hammers down this picture, because it's a very beautiful one, but to me this does not reflect impressionism. Just my opinion, of course.
Cheers,
Bianca
Thank you, your opinion is very valid. I do not see Impressionism in photography the same way as I look upon Impressionism within art, I do not feel that by adding a filter that creates brush strokes would then label this photograph as Impressionism. however I do feel that impressionism is opinionated and each to their own.
This is a very beautiful picture, but it doesn't look very "impressionist". You should have used a filter or smth else in order to enhance some strokes. One of the trademarks of impressionism is the visible brushstrokes, which do not appear in your picture.
I am sorry to be the one that hammers down this picture, because it's a very beautiful one, but to me this does not reflect impressionism. Just my opinion, of course.
I'm impressed with the highest quality of this image. One of the best photos I’ve seen since I’m here at DPC. Quality, technique, composition, mood, all at top stage. Simply a fine piece of art.
Congrats Marac!
Congrats on your ribbon. It's a gorgeous work. I would have scored it higher (I gave it a 7) if the subject had been "oil painting", but as others have indicated, to me it's not really impressionism nor even post-impressionism.
MAK!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Last time you told me, you were at 6.4! Way to GO!!! 4th place. You totally ROCK!! This photo Is FABULOUS!!! I love to see it so appreciated by the masses too! CONGRATULATIONS!
Excellent job on composition of this still life for the lighting and elements really carry it off as an oil painting. Your friend's eye really helped you nail it in this photo. Love the lighting, the colors, shapes and textures one sees in this still life photo study.
Absolutely awesome arrangement! This entry is the epitome of still life captured in a photograph. You obviously took the challenge description and ran with it, puttiing to good use the research and all that you have learned from your artist friend. Generally speaking, I have never cared much for still life paintings, but your shot is a "painting like" image that has kept me lingering for awhile. Outstanding job. Congratulations on your 4th place finish.
Mak, I agree that this is one of your most beautiful images. If you'd ever care to share a bit of knowledge on how to set up still lifes, I would much appreciate it (eat it up actually).
I voted a while back and didn't leave a comment so I'm doing that now....I gave this an 8 and I really like the composition and "fitness" of challenge. The tones and lighting are just fantastic. The strange background really works well to support the subjects. I am a very "simple" composition person so that is why I took off a little as there seems to be to many "exta" object thrown in. Other than that small personal taste thing it is a wonderful photo.
I really like this one, I think that the image would ahve been perfect if the vases weren't there. I like the dirty towel, and how the peaches look. The composition is really nice, the lighting is great, one of my favorites for the challenge.
I like the slightly shriveled peaches. The added texture enhances the story. Being a still life, one becomes critical of composition and placings of objects. But for me, it works well and looks "genuine." Perhaps the white cloth is an oddity. I'm not sure. The background looks nice. Is this realist still life in a Dutch sort of way or impressionism. That question does not really concern me. I think it is as good an impression as any photo in this challenge and better for not using some sort of gauche software filter to mimic pointillism or brush strokes. 7.
I love that you did a still life image. These are not as popular at the moment. I love the lighting on the fruit and dishes. Not so fond of the hot spot on the cotton 'rag' I feel that fabric should be a more sensual fabric.
The background has some great textures but the seam lines draw my eye. The colors of the image is great, but I would perfer to see the tapestry on the background and a deep rich wood tone or marble surface. The styles of the dishes is a hodgepodge. The pitcher has an aztec feel, the vase is oriental in nature and the plate (from this angle) looks like a french. I would like the dishes to be more along the same styling. I also love the unopened flowers in the vase. they have some great shape and color. They lend some hight to the left side, which is good. The formation of the fruit brings your eye down at an angle, that is also good. The pitcher though adds height to the right side. That is distressful to the flow of the image. I would prefer the pitcher in the left side forming a diagonal line visually.
Just my opinion and possibly some pointers. Great job on the shot!
Beautiful, very classic feeling to it. Not sure it is "impressionism" but I won't take off points for that. I wish it weren't so centered though, I think that takes it down a few notches. But I absolutely love the setup and the tones and the softness of it while still staying sharp and defined.
I see more Rembrandt inspired in this image than impressionism. Still it is a terrific photo. Nice still life photo with dramatic lighting. Highly rated.
you captured a beautiful still life. the only thing I am missing is the technique shown that makes impressionism so unique: elimination of details, brush strokes, hiding, not showing the details. You did show well the intaction of shadows and lights.
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