Margaret Duncan
December 2023 - As You Do
About the Image(s)
This photo was taken in Pottsville, a small town in Northern New South Wales, Oz. This woman has walked some distance from home with the intent to float back home via the river. I thought that was a bit weird and the image was worth capturing.
Now I am in two minds and I'm interested in the opinions of the group. Is this photo only interesting to me because I know the story? Does the photo have any appeal otherwise?
It was a hot and sunny day and I used a micro 4/3 40-150mm zoom at 130mm.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Good day, Margaret!
Getting right to the point ... and your very good question ... No, the image holds very little in the way of narrative or emotional values for most viewers. (I say most, because it is possible the vernacularity the image imbues may actually spark long lost memories, thus making a connection with a viewer). But for the most part, outside of presenting the image within a "Visual Documentary" w/several like-images (or related images), the single image is weak.
But most important, is the act of visualizing and capturing these types of "personal" images, images that connect to us ... make us happy or complete. Posted: 12/03/2023 09:58:11
Getting right to the point ... and your very good question ... No, the image holds very little in the way of narrative or emotional values for most viewers. (I say most, because it is possible the vernacularity the image imbues may actually spark long lost memories, thus making a connection with a viewer). But for the most part, outside of presenting the image within a "Visual Documentary" w/several like-images (or related images), the single image is weak.
But most important, is the act of visualizing and capturing these types of "personal" images, images that connect to us ... make us happy or complete. Posted: 12/03/2023 09:58:11
Thanks Lance. I guess it's just the act of being in a place and capturing images of people doing what they do. In this instance, I thought walking upriver just to float back down was quite weird. Not possible to convey that in a photo. So it's definitely not a standalone photo but it may have some value in a photobook along with some text. Posted: 12/13/2023 05:26:05
Margaret, there are so many (moments in life) that reveal themselves to us, that touch our very souls, but not always are we able to register these emotions/connections through the lenses of of camera.
It is so important we remember experiencing life in real-time is the essence of living ... in this sense, even if we are not able to reproduce like-experiences through our lenses, nonetheless, we should take comfort that we have enjoyed the experience, and within the time and space the event revealed itself. Posted: 12/13/2023 09:41:51
It is so important we remember experiencing life in real-time is the essence of living ... in this sense, even if we are not able to reproduce like-experiences through our lenses, nonetheless, we should take comfort that we have enjoyed the experience, and within the time and space the event revealed itself. Posted: 12/13/2023 09:41:51
Totally agree. Posted: 12/13/2023 21:36:01
M, This is a good one. simple clear and done properly. Is this a square crop ? If so, why ?
Posted: 12/08/2023 05:26:18
Posted: 12/08/2023 05:26:18
Thanks Adi. No, it's not a square crop. Original micro 4/3 cropped to 3795x2846. My intention was to leave her room to float into. Posted: 12/13/2023 05:35:05
Margaret - It reminds me of a hot, sultry, sun burning day on the Brazos River in Texas that I floated down with friends one Saturday afternoon while in flight school a century ago. Your photo really does a nice job of setting the mood of the afternoon (my guess). Posted: 12/08/2023 09:15:14
Hi Margaret. You've created a technically well done image. I like the abstract background formed by the reflections and shadows of the ripples and I think the subject is well placed in the frame. Beyond that, however, for me it's just a picture of a woman floating in the water and I don't really get a story out of it. Posted: 12/08/2023 10:26:15
Thanks Michael. That sums it up nicely. I was happy enough with the composition and the way the light picks up the ripples but there is not much appeal beyond that. A viewer could try and create a story but it's pretty well limited to what you see. A woman floating in water. Posted: 12/13/2023 05:41:23
Yes…it is, unfortunately, one of those "you-win-some-and-you-lose-some" kind of images of which I have had so many. Of course, what's most important, is that the image means something to you. And, if you had fun taking the image and learned something as a result…well, that's really all that matters. I enjoy your work and look forward to seeing what you come up with each month. Posted: 12/13/2023 08:28:51