This works very well. The bright reflections, with traces of a variety of colours, against a pure black background is delightful. The composition is good, with the brightest reflections on one of the thirds, ensures a nice balance and harmony. The fact that the subject is not instantly recognisable and requires study and fantasy from the viewer takes it to another level.
Excellent.
Pete
I like so many aspects of this photo.
A subject, which I will never see.
A beautiful natural setting, with all that glowing green moss on the fallen trees.
The logs providing leading lines to the ivory bear.
The branches creating a frame for the ebony bear.
The bears are linked by a log, as well as the bear's line of sight.
Ebony bear is dripping wet, whilst Ivory is dry,
Ebony appears to be ignoring a fish it caught on the rock behind it.
The title.
Another for your National Geographic submission 😉
Pete
Thank you Linda. I wanted the entire plant in picture because I like the texture of the bottom leafs.
The happy-ending story and the composition are high-impact for me. I was taught to respect wildlife from an early age. I'm not optimistic for the natural world given all we've destroyed and the economic and political realities, but it is inspiring to know there are pockets of hope.
I chuckled at "baby frog" as we always called them tadpoles, or perhaps more regional, polliwogs.
I respect your vision and I think the textured leaves are gorgeous. I'm trying to work out a puzzle that probably interests only me 😁 Emphasis on the leaves:
Minnie, thanks
I'd like to see your "version" of this image. There's no "correct" place to put the center of the coil in the composition. Mine is off-center horizontally. I wish it were more off center vertically also. But a perfectly centered version of this kind of image can be very striking.
I've provided "background" info for all my images. I like to do that. I hope the information makes the image more interesting. But I like to post them first "as is" to see how well they tell their story "all on their own."
Rich
Hi Rich, I'm Linda not Minnie 😁 We used to be called by each other's names in another forum quite frequently, so it's all good! Thanks for your comments about posting with or without backstory.
Here is my photo. It's the exterior bottom of a sisal-rope covered plant pot. have been using as a footstool for years; more recently my cat has been enjoying tearing it apart 😂
Wow - that's a magnificent shot! Love the composition, the tones and the look of the water. It all comes together really well.
Good question. I prefer 1 but it is a close call. Both establish the emptiness of the moment The better view of the older style buildings and the text on the facade in 1 gives more of a reminder of the humans that are absent. In 2, the longer dark line created by the base of the buildings against the sand picks up and extends the dark lines of the bench. The bench itself becomes an echo of the forms of the buildings.
With more consideration of the shape of the bench and the forms of the buildings, I now prefer 2.
Ha. My photographic life is full of similar moments of just missed chances, especially BIF. I envy your second opportunity here.
Your falcon did you proud. A splendid choice of perch to create the diagonal line and also show off the impressive talons. Just the right amount of dof to bring out the bird and still retain the setting.
Variations on a theme. Rectangles. The variations are subtle - gentle changes in sharpness and colour plus the intriguing little raised patches. The tilt of the whole scene is a great touch. I enjoyed your title as well.
Thanks Mike,
That is a nice explanation of the whole story. I would feel comfortable with the guides, even if the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up at 15-20 metres...
That scenery would get my hiking boots out as well.
As you say, the light in the last picture makes the image. The "peaks" on the foreground sunlit bushlink it to the mid ground pine trees and then the mountains behind. Well worth the walk.
The fallen limb with the highlight end is inspired. It makes this image special. A line is added that echoes the line of the falls; it links via the foam trails in the river and knits everything together. A bit of rugged outdoorsiness is added as well.
In the top corners. They look like grapevine leaves? Is this so? Whatever, they add some framing as well.
I cheated and it didn't help me. Figuring that I might get a clue from the images on each side, I looked at this and the shots alongside on FlickR. Nope.
This time I'd have preferred the shot without a title. To me, the shot suggests sound. The vibration of strings. Rich wood and brass. Craftsmanship and musical instruments. I think you got the proportions, the black spaces and the positioning, just right. We need spaces in music too. The framing choice feels exactly right in colour and weight as well.
Oops! Linda, sorry for the error.
We could start a thread on spiral-themed images. Very nice shot of the sisal-covered plot. Your cat is just doing his job! Cat scratching posts and pads are made of sisal. They love to claw it. It keeps them satisfied and away from other furniture.
Rich
Having seen Tim's question and the answer, are these the same Kermode species of bear?
Your conclusion is timely.
The more distant bear, being white, picks it out from the background. The tree trunks connect them. The darker bear would have assisted you by turning to the left but that's nature for you. Nicely caught and composed.
A moment of connection. A wealth of small touches establishes the moment between two people. The tilts of the heads, the crossed legs, the cups, and the dogs. A human moment we all recognize. Looking at this you have to wish them well.
