Both versions are very nicely done, but there is a merger of the bread and the the statue's leg. I don't feel that I understad what you are trying to reveal.   Posted: 02/07/2025 20:00:07

Hi Albert, this was an action shot. I know the sword appears stationary, it was not. The Tameshigiri (rolled tatami mat) is roughly equivalent to the human body with bones. What you see is the top portion of the mat in the act of falling after the sword had made a clean cut all of the way through it. That kind of cut only comes with years of practice and a very sharp katana (sword). My apologies if it is somewhat confusing.   Posted: 02/07/2025 20:18:57

Hi Ed. Without reading the description and being unfamiliar with Japanese swordsmanship, I had to take a closer look to fully understand the scene, which isn't a bad thing. For me, a clearer visual distinction between both ends of the tatami mat would have helped to emphasize the separation. Considering, it's an uposed, in the moment photojournalistic shot, it captures the moment effectively. Nice job!   Posted: 02/08/2025 14:55:15

Hi Ed, what a rare treat it has been to witness the event! - I feel, too, that it is a bit difficult to understand what is happening, and really got the idea only when I read your explanation to Al. I think that it is partly that there are unfamiliar elements, and partly that the image is so sharp all through that the overlapping parts may get confusing. - I wonder if cropping off the bottom of the image would give more room for the action part, although it may dilute the delicious contrast between the gentleman in the statue and the samurai in their respective postures. Also, it might help the viewer if the primary target were more effectively separated from the background? To demonstrate, I made a duplicate layer with lens blur, and erased it off the man, his sword and the tatami. What do you think?   Posted: 02/08/2025 15:48:10

Hi Ed - You've certainly captured the decisive moment as the tatami mat hangs in mid-air! I don't have much to add to the comments that have been made about the separation of the subject from the background. I think Kirsti's solution is a good one as it effectively isolates the subject and enhances the impact of the shot. (I've used Lightroom's background blur feature a few times and sometimes it works well.)   Posted: 02/09/2025 00:17:07

Hi Ed,
I was not familiar with this ritual so could not understand your photo at first glance. I did watch some you tube videos and now I see what you accomplished! I like Kirsti's touch of blurring the background, I think it keeps one focused on the swordsman.
Great technical and culturally informative photo.   Posted: 02/10/2025 17:50:32