Theme - Nightmare

[Cheryl Slechta]

I took this image recently on a walk in downtown Gainesville. This was my shadow looking through the storefront of an abandoned artists co-op. The actual words on the wall were "Tropical Depression" but I cropped out the Tropical so that the ominous, haunting feel was heightened by just the word "Depression". I converted to black and white with Nik Silver Efex and did some dodging and burning to get the look I was after. I like all of the leading lines in the image.

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Cheryl,

Greetings. Definitely creepy. Interesting set of lines. I think I worked out how this could be just a room without added distortion. I like the word that I just can't quite make out (display?). Your shadow is a great touch.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Dennis Bishop]

Super job on this. I like the leading lines, too -- especially because many are opposing the others. Lots of verticals, too. Getting rid of "tropical" was a great idea. Nice range of tones, too. Isn't it wonderful when you actually want your shadow in an image?

[Nancy Bell]

Wow! You created a very strong emotional image with the b&w treatment. The word "depression" with the dripping vertical lines on the wall really sets the tone. It has me looking at the half-open door, the shadowy staircase, the leftover piles of raw materials. It makes me wonder just what happened to the dreams and creations. The shadow figure framed in light but surrounded by shadows is brilliant and well placed. I am always in awe that people can see and create such strong images where I see nothing but unrelated and uninteresting stuff. Very well done, Cheryl!

[Kerry Perkins]

This really rocks Cheryl! The leading lines are great, and the various elements of the image create tremendous tension for the viewer. The shadow is excellent. All those geometrical elements are leading the eye to the door, but do you want to go inside? Nice work!

[Judy Howle]

Great composition and processing Cheryl! Definitely creepy!

[Anita Bower]

A perfect depiction of depression. The chaos, darkness, dark shadow, word on the wall all contribute to the dark mood. An imaginative rendition of a condition I'm all too familiar with.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

The lines, the b and w conversion, but especially the shadow makes the image for me. If we didn't know it was you it would make it even more mysterious.

[Mitch Carucci]

Another great documentary image. I like the line of the word Depression, with the shadow all leading to the ominous slightly opened door...

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks everyone for your comments and kind words

[Diane Miller]

I'm late here, trying to catch up after being gone a couple of weeks. This is just wonderful, and so well done!!

I had to have a look, though, at straightening the verticals and removing some of the stuff on the right that, for me, compete with the wonderful interest of the diagonals and shadows.

I didn't quite get them straight -- a lens correction on the raw file first (or before any cropping) would make it better.