Martin Newland, QPSA  

See my arms! by Martin Newland, QPSA

October 2024 - See my arms!

October 2024 - Martin Newland, QPSA

Original

October 2024 - Martin Newland, QPSA

Original 2

October 2024 - Martin Newland, QPSA

Original 3

About the Image(s)

This is a composite made from two "touristy" photos I took last year while in Italy and Sicily.

The first was taken on the beach in Amalfi. I was attracted by the pose of the lady in the middle of the image.
The second image was taken in the Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, Sicily, and I am not sure why I took it! Maybe it was because everyone else in the tour group were taking photos of these statues

Post production:
I decided to "clean up" the image with the statues and I removed all evidence of the mirror and the reflective lights etc. The next choice was to put it into Black and White
I felt that it lacked a focus in the middle of the image and a story. The lady on the beach in Amalfi came to mind. With a quick cut and paste using Photoshop, a story emerged. "See my arms!" she exclaimed to the armless, semi clothed ladies looking at her.

A Club judge commented that the lady might be better off standing on her own pedestal. So I have put one in, but I am not convinced, so I ask you, pedestal or no pedestal?

Amalfi image: Canon 5DM4 camera 1/100 F/13, ISO 100 with Canon EF24 - 105 f/4L IS USM lens @ 105mm
Museum image: Canon 5DM4 camera 1/100 F/7.7, ISO 8000 with Canon EF16 - 35 f/2.8L USM lens @ 16mm

This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted

Shirley Pohlman   Shirley Pohlman
So creative. The more I look at it, the more I smile! Until I read that there was a mirror, I thought it was a different set of statues. Great job in removing any evidence of it. The title has it!!!

  Posted: 10/03/2024 18:50:56
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Thanks Shirley. I just wish these flashes of creativity came to me more often. Alas they are rare occurrences.   Posted: 10/05/2024 23:30:42
Tor Nenzen   Tor Nenzen
Clever concept!
The pose of the woman really mimics those of the statues too.
Neat!   Posted: 10/03/2024 19:45:31
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Thanks Tors. These moments don't come to me often.
  Posted: 10/05/2024 23:40:10
Piers Blackett   Piers Blackett
I think placing a contemporary figure in the scene suddenly makes the ancient Greek figures beautiful, fascinating and almost real. Second impressions are on the abrupt transition through two millennia allowing the imagination to consider a secular change in body composition with or without arms.   Posted: 10/04/2024 22:02:11
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Thanks Piers. You have got me thinking way more deeply into one of my images than I had ever thought I would.
  Posted: 10/05/2024 23:34:40
Karen Botvin   Karen Botvin
Your imagination never ceases to amaze me! What a great composite, right down to standing the current day women on a piece of marble. So yes, pedestal it is for me.   Posted: 10/05/2024 20:11:41
Martin Newland   Martin Newland
Thank you Karen. The image with the pedestal is starting to grow on me. It was not part of the original concept, but I think it adds to the story!
  Posted: 10/05/2024 23:37:14
Jim Wulpi   Jim Wulpi
Another interesting image, Martin. Very interesting story behind the image, too.
My thought on the pedestal would be up to you and the essence of the "story" you want to convey. With the pedestal, the beach lady with arms becomes part of the statuary (and museum) with the Venus statues. Without the pedestal, she seems kind of "floating" and not directly linked to the statues.
I can tell you had fun with this one! Well done!   Posted: 10/08/2024 18:38:34