Theme: Waddaya think?

[Ed Vatza]

This is the last of a series of in-camera motion blur images that I made Saturday evening just before sunset. I was looking for an interesting composition in a thick stand of pines. Just then the setting sun peeked through one small area of pine tree trunks. I quickly decided that I want to include the setting sun in the vertical pan figuring it would give me exactly what you see hear - the sunlight, the fire exploding in the image as it hurtles toward earth.

I got exactly what I wanted. The image looks exactly like what I wanted. But I am not sure it will appeal to the viewer as much as it appeals to me. Your thoughts?

Canon 50D; 70-200 2.8L IS; handheld

1.0 sec @ f/14; ISO 100; -1 1/3EV; FL 95mm

[denise ippolito]

Ed, The part I like the most about the image is seeing the faint pine trees in the BG. The part I dislike the most is the large light streak. It overpowers the image a bit. But your explanation of your vision really does help bring it all together.

[Ed Vatza]

Thanks Denise. You've hit upon the issue that concerns me. I want people to look at my work and ask "How did he do that?" and not "what is it?" I am afraid the image doesn't stand on it's own without an explanation of what it is. And I can't be there to explain it to every viewer. Maybe a catchy title would help but I don't know.

[denise ippolito]

Ed, I think a catchy title that explains your thoughts would be good. After I thought about your vision-I said Ahh, that was the vision and it made sense!

[Julie Kenward]

Yeah, I'm with Denise on this one...the hot streaks really overpower the rest of the image. Your other blurs have seemed more precise and controlled - this one seems more "out there."

[Ed Vatza]

Yeah, I'm with Denise on this one...the hot streaks really overpower the rest of the image. Your other blurs have seemed more precise and controlled - this one seems more "out there."

There are really two issues here, artistically speaking. But they are related. Let's take the second first - the "out there" aspect of this image. It is indeed a pretty radical departure from the "order", if you will, that is exhibited in my other blurs. One only needs to look as far as "Blue Light Special" to see that tidiness or neatness or orderliness in an image. This image is meant to bring a sense of chaos in that orderliness - to capture hellfire and brimstone, if you will. I wanted the juxtaposition of chaos created by the light superimposed over the quietness and neatness of the twilight seen in the background which Denise pointed out as what she really liked. Creating that feeling of bringing chaos into order was my purpose in panning the sun that was peeking through the trees.

Which brings me to the second (first) point. If the "hot streaks really overpower the rest of the image" as you say then the juxtaposition is lost because the background get lost and all we have is the chaos without the orderliness. In that regard, the image has then failed to create the "tension" in the viewer that I had wished to create.

I think what we are discussing here is the very nature of abstract art. In many respects a bird on a stick is a bird on a stick and a sunset reflecting on a lake is a sunset reflecting on a lake. I'm not saying capturing either is easy. But when I look at it, it is what it is. Abstractions are, I believe, different.

Your thoughts?

[Julie Kenward]

Ed, let me first say that I am no art major and I am a self-taught photographer for the most part. I can't really say that I looked at your blur and wondered about the juxtaposition of the chaos compared to the tranquility on the opposite side of the frame. I looked at it and thought "some kid dropped his camera."

I'm not saying that to be mean. I'm also not saying that to show my ignorance of photographic art. I look at an image for a first impression and then I look again to go deeper into it. On your other blurs I did a "first impression" look and thought "Nice...controlled, yet abstract; blurred but recognizable." I looked at this one and had no such warm and fuzzy feeling towards it. I also try to look at it from a buyer's perspective and I often remember Mike Moats talking about how if he presented a soft focus macro at an art fair all he heard all day were whispering people commenting on how "he couldn't even focus his camera right...who did he think he was trying to sell that stuff at an art fair?" In other words, the average "client" won't give a hoot about the juxtaposition of the light within the frame - they want something that's "pretty."

Not that I believe we should pander to that...but when I look at this blur I honestly struggle to find something I like about it. It seems over exposed in one area and under exposed in another and nothing holds my interest. It feels to me like a mistake - like an uncontrolled drop of the camera. It doesn't make my opinion right - and it is certainly an artistically uneducated opinion as I stated previously. But I know what I like and I know what I'd buy and I know what I find inspirational - and most of your images fall into this category...this one, for me, does not.

[Ed Vatza]

Good morning, Jules. I am kinda at a loss here because I have communicated with Anita via e-mail and you and Denise here and I keep feeling that I am being viewed as defensive here when I don't really think I am. I certainly have no formal art training either. So all I am trying to do is explain the creative process that went into creating this particular image. Looking like a dropped camera may be akin to looking like paint splattered on canvas - that is crap to most people and art to a few.

Am I trying to make this image out to be the next great work of art? No, not really. And I am at the point of acknowledging a mistake and maybe even pulling it from my "Abstracts, etc" Gallery on my website.

And finally, I want to make it very clear that I am not "attacking" anyone's critique, opinion, likes and dislikes. Just trying to stir up a little discussion.

P.S. I typed this on my iPhone... What a pain!

[Julie Kenward]

Ed, I didn't think you were being defensive AT ALL; I merely stated my case the way I did for all the other people that will view this thread. I realized you were looking for an artistic debate here but I have no background in that area so it's hard for me to get deep and heavy into what is presented on this wonderful forum. I tend to have a gut reaction to images - I either like 'em or I don't. Explaining why is not always the easiest thing for me to do here in OOTB because it's more "artistic" than "technical."

You know I love ya! And you know I love your work. No worries...:)

[Cheryl Slechta]

Ed, I think it has a mystical look to it. I love being able to see the trees in the bg and I like the sun rays.
I have doubts about my blurs with a lot of light also and I know they're not everyone's cup of tea (my
husband hates my blurs:() But they make me happy so I guess that's what counts.