It's fun to see how many people pointed out the black border as a negative feature. I must say that the image size didn't suffer and that the border is just an addition which gives you a slight illusion that you're looking at the photo on a black background.
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Place: 141 out of 410 Avg (all users): 6.0720 Avg (commenters): 7.4286 Avg (participants): 6.0615 Avg (non-participants): 6.1220 Views since voting: 923 Views during voting: 486 Votes: 236 Comments: 44 Favorites: 6 (view)
normally the heavy black borders would distract me but in this case, it works. i keep coming back to this one because it's just strangely bizarre but very mesmerizing.
voted earlier but bumping to an 8
Kind-of spooky. I like the effect of the tree away from center of the shot being blurry. For me, the top left mask doesn't have the same definition and detail as the other ones - especially the two in the center, and I find that quite distracting.
This thumbnail stood out when viewing all 400+ images and its even better when looking at it big! Border is big but it works for me. Not sure if it is a lensbaby but the OOF areas really help to make you focus on the one mask in focus and the other look ghostly in apprearance. Hope it does well!
Very creative and compelling. The frame does nothing for me. In fact I would have voted it way down for such a wast of prime space on an image that is strong enough to carry itself.
The more I look, the more I like it (fear it? :)). Voters not looking long enough might rate it low. Very unique and a bit spine chilling. 9 on my scale
I don't think the super thick borders are necessary, this image is fine as a landscape crop and doesn't need to be square. Awesome shot nonetheless, it's like something from a Neil Gaiman story; kind of eerie but ultimately intriguing. Well done; I give this an 8, I would have probably gone to a 9 or even a 10 were it not for what I find to be the super-distracting borders.
This is quite freaky, and fascinating at the same time. What a creative idea for a shot. The lensbaby? blur really adds a dramatic effect. I wish the stick wasn't sticking out of the one mask. It kind of puts a dent in the illusion of floating faces.
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.
Positives: This cruises right along the edge of cliche without actually crossing over - quite a feat and a consequence of how well you've measured each facet of the image - the tones, the selective focus, the contrived set-up (is there another type?); all hang together so very very well that the overall effect is superadditive. Great stuff.
Critical stuff: I suppose the border takes nothing away but I'm not sure it adds much at that depth.
Overall: More effective than it should be - well played.
"I wouldn't venture to far beyond these woods," warned Cooper.
"And why is that," Warren asked warily as he slung his bow on his back. He had just spotted the stag he had been tracking off in the distance.
"Notice how that part of the forest is darker than where we stand? Well, long ago they say a witch was cleaved to a tree. Her evil spirit remains and any who venture to close," Cooper extended his hands, wiggled his fingers, and made a loud, slurping sound, "she sucks yer soul out. The last thing you see as you are being drawn in is the faces of the others she trapped. They call that tree, the Soul Catcher."
Warren wrinkled his face in disgust and shook his head, "Do you really believe that crap? Well you stay here then, I'll bring home the venison tonight."
Cooper watched Warren rush forward and disappear in the deeper reaches of the forest. "Somehow, I doubt that," he shook his head sadly.
Very spooky and surreal photo! It makes me think this is a cover page to a book with spooky stories. The B&W is perfect for it adds to the eeriness of the scene.
Interesting shot, but the "lensbaby" tilt/shift blur effect I just don´t like in this shot, it actually just takes my attention away from where the focus lies, I am looking more at the mask that is closest to the camera.
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