I understand more when you state that you were going for the "transition between hot summer and cold winter" in the fallen leaves. That makes sense to me. Never the less, it did not work for me. Perhaps it is a cultural thing, perhaps limitation in my perceptions.
> > All this makes it a very good composition, IMO. > > Thanks. Ironically, this is just a bunch of leaves having fallen off the > tree(s) lying on the floor... > Ironically or not, I did like the composition. I think you may be a little too humble, my friend. (It feels good to say my friend, here ;-) ) The bunch of leaves caught you eye, you stopped, composed, and shot. You may have done it on instinct, but I don't believe it was random you framed exactly that pile of leaves. There is a lot of stuff going on in your mind that you are not conscious about you know. > > My very personal and un-humble opinion is that I hope you place that > > soft lens where it belongs, on the top shelf. The shelf you rarely look > > at, the one with a lot of dust ;-) > > Unhumble is fine... I can take unhumble... I see your point. Although I > should say - I don't like an idea of my gear collecting dust on some > remote shelf, you know. > In principle I do appreciate that attitude. First because it's a waste, not to use something, (I didn't really mean that part of my post literally, btw). Second because I like the playful experimental aspects of using alternative lenses and techniques. Tim Mostly harmless (just plain Norwegian) Never underestimate the power of stupidity in large crowds (Very freely after Arthur C. Clarke, or some other clever guy) > -----Original Message----- > From: Boris Liberman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: 12. november 2005 17:48 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: PESO - Fallen Leaves > > Hi! > > > So, you wonder what Tim might say? So do I ;-) > > (I kind of wonder why you wonder, but thats not important) > > To answer that - you recently posted some photo(s) that related to the > same general motif... So I wanted to know your opinion as a fellow > "fallen leaves" shooter ;-). > > > There is something with soft focus on this kind of motif. For me, soft > focus > > has to be "realistic" to be successful. One example is imitating fog in > a > > rainy landscape. > > That's most interesting thing, you've said, Tim. I never thought of > "realistic soft focus"... I shall have to ponder this a little. This is > indeed very deep observation... At least to me, right here, right now. > > > There are some exceptions from this "rule". Some romantic motifs can > benefit > > from a soft focus effect, especially in high key portraits. Soft focus > can > > also be an effective way to create spooky effects. The reason for this > is > > mainly that it is common; there is no logical reason for this. > > What am I saying? Simply that I don't buy the soft effect here. I find > it > > rather disturbing :-( > > I see... No, I wasn't going after "spooky". Absolutely not. I was after > that passing emotion, the feeling of change, the feeling of transition > between hot summer and cold winter... > > > Simply because I like the motif and the composition "under" the > softness. > > First I do like the background, it is delicate, and suits the leaves. > (It is > > opposite than my picture, I was going for contrast). I also do like the > > colour variations in the leaves. The leaf I see as the main leaf is > almost > > fresh and green (in left part of frame). I also see some geometric > patterns > > suggested. There are six yellow leaves in a dice like pattern. (This > isn't > > quite correct. The upper left leaf isn't one, it is two leaves, but my > brain > > does see it as the sixth). The green main leaf also has a counterpoint > in > > right frame. All this makes it a very good composition, IMO. > > Thanks. Ironically, this is just a bunch of leaves having fallen off the > tree(s) lying on the floor. This shot was taken inside Jerusalem > University campus where they have this rather special kind of > pavement... I am not sure what it is, but it is made of square blocks > that do look rather nice. > > > My very personal and un-humble opinion is that I hope you place that > soft > > lens where it belongs, on the top shelf. The shelf you rarely look at, > the > > one with a lot of dust ;-) > > Unhumble is fine... I can take unhumble... I see your point. Although I > should say - I don't like an idea of my gear collecting dust on some > remote shelf, you know. If I see a piece of gear that I don't use and I > realize I may not use it in the future - I'd rather sell it, or even > give it away. > > > Conclusion? > > Sorry, none. Can't decide. > > > > Honest and brutal rant over. > > You asked for it, didn't you ;-) > > Absolutely. Your time is appreciated... > > I should say that if this little photo of mine results in polar > opinions, it has just a little worth in it. Hmmm, unhumble again ;-). > > I am definitely going to keep trying using this lens... I do like soft > focus every now and then... > > Boris >
