Brad Becker
July 2025 - Grief
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About the Image(s)
This image is a bit dark! I've been watching "House of the Dragon" and it triggered a lot of sad feelings about how politicians often forget history and repeated suffering results. I stare at the bull's skull when I sit in my hot tub. I have always been struck by how the left horn has become more and more suggestive of a duck's head as the squirrels have gnawed on the bone over the years. I had no idea what image would emerge. No fancy technique here, just adding layer masks to evoke a feeling.
10 comments posted
This is a change from your blending of different elements to create peaceful, welcoming scenes. The fact that the eye of the bull is in color when so much around it is in black and white, combined with the fact that the eye is disturbingly off center increases the morbidness of the composite. Personally, I think the hand with about 50% opacity would add to the darkness you're after. Well done. Posted: 07/04/2025 18:33:48
Alan, Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. Posted: 07/12/2025 21:24:56
Talk about taking the bull by the horns! I certainly empathize with your feelings about how sad political history seems to repeat.
It took me a minute to see the duck head but when I did, I audibly laughed. So, you did add a bit of humor to the darkness. Kudos for that.
The landscape and fog/shadows make the image for me. As Alan suggested, the hand might benefit from a bit of opaqueness. I could see the head a bit lower with less sky, but that's subjective.
Thank you for creating something unique and thought-provoking, Brad! Posted: 07/05/2025 11:29:55
It took me a minute to see the duck head but when I did, I audibly laughed. So, you did add a bit of humor to the darkness. Kudos for that.
The landscape and fog/shadows make the image for me. As Alan suggested, the hand might benefit from a bit of opaqueness. I could see the head a bit lower with less sky, but that's subjective.
Thank you for creating something unique and thought-provoking, Brad! Posted: 07/05/2025 11:29:55
Matt, Thanks for your supportive comments Posted: 07/12/2025 21:25:59
This is a really powerful image, Brad. The spare use of color adds to the feeling of grief, and the texture and color around the eye echo the hillside on the right. The hand makes the partial disintegration of the cow head feel very intentional. I think the duck works really well; I've got a few ideas about what I think it might mean, but those details seem irrelevant. This image is really one to absorb and think about.
Personally, I'd consider reducing texture (-30% here) and just a bit of a crop, but that would just be my approach .
Posted: 07/07/2025 17:05:34
Personally, I'd consider reducing texture (-30% here) and just a bit of a crop, but that would just be my approach .
Posted: 07/07/2025 17:05:34
Peggy, Thanks for your feedback. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the "meaning" of the image. You can share here or by email if you prefer. Posted: 07/12/2025 21:27:32
Hi Brad, the mood of the image does not let me go. Every element is powerful in itself, and the impact of their combination is staggering. I like Peggy´s subtle edit a lot, somehow the slight softening makes the grief more heartbreaking. Posted: 07/07/2025 19:21:12
Thanks Kirsti. I am not a huge fan of dark and ominous images although I enjoy the process of letting the images emerge on the screen without a huge mental filter. Posted: 07/12/2025 21:28:49
Hi Brad,
Congratulations on this image, I really love it! You've mastered the blending of the elements beautifully. The image has a strong emotional impact on the viewer, and your use of colour enhances that impact even further.
The story told through the man's hands, holding both life and a dead animal, surrounded by a nature that is almost disappearing, delivers a powerful message. I also love how you've blended the duck's head into the cow; it's a subtle yet striking detail.
Posted: 07/13/2025 19:16:08
Congratulations on this image, I really love it! You've mastered the blending of the elements beautifully. The image has a strong emotional impact on the viewer, and your use of colour enhances that impact even further.
The story told through the man's hands, holding both life and a dead animal, surrounded by a nature that is almost disappearing, delivers a powerful message. I also love how you've blended the duck's head into the cow; it's a subtle yet striking detail.
Posted: 07/13/2025 19:16:08
Maria, Thanks. I was afraid people would be too disturbed by this image. Glad you found it interesting. Posted: 07/16/2025 15:30:39