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:iconnycterent:

=nycterent

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:iconnycterent:
Viewing this, I have two very distinct knee-jerk reactions. One positive and one negative. The positive:

Brilliant colors and clarity. I was startled to see that this was a photograph - I don't think you get this kind of vividness in real life so this shot almost makes me want to go out and see the world anew. The white-gray contrast of the clouds is fantastic and powerful while the textures are very very nicely brought out with the methods used.

The negative, though, is slowly taking over the positive and the appreciation is in rout. Several issues in my mind:

The overly strong clarity made me think this is a digitally created image. There is a contrived sense of unnaturality (not a real word, but should be) in the shot. Because of this unnaturalness, everything seems overblow, too bright, contrived. A scene of the imagination rather than a real cemetery (though for all I know, that might be exactly what the piece wants to achieve).

The other issue is that the brilliant flower colors, the green of the grass, the crispness of the bark and walls contrasts strongly with the idea of this being a dark cemetery and with the title (Resting Place). I'm not feeling a dour mood from here, even with the edges of the shot darkened. I'm sensing more a festive, grotesquely surreal mood here. It's wild rather than calm.

Speaking of darkened edges, this is my personal position on it, but I really don't like it when shots darken-blot the edges. For me, it creates an illogical lighting effect. I imagine that such shadows and light combination come from dappled sunlight through clouds. (example, the light/shadow on the grass makes it look as if there's partial sunlight) But the range of how the darkness is placed and where throws that impression out the window, leaving me thinking that it feels unreal and contrived. Harsh, I know, but again, it's very much a me-thing with no attempt to be objective. Me, I'd adjust the image to be lighter, shift the contrast and saturation and then do a bit of color balance.

Finally, the border isn't quite working for me. I don't feel like it's adding anything to the image and feels almost a tad superfluous. I'd remove it or see about a combo border (rather than just black). I don't think the piece would suffer from having the border removed, to be honest.

Thank you for sharing this and good luck with your art!
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Comments


Devious Comments

:icondata5amurai:
I appreciate that. Thanks for the detailed critique, that's what I need to get more of. I like to get the personal views of different artists so I can see what people really think. Yes, my style of HDR right now is very Alice in Wonderland-ish.

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:iconnycterent:
Very welcome and good luck with your art!
:iconcharism:
Great shot. I appreciate the bright flowers against the dark, grey stone. Contrary to ruining the mood, I think it creates a feeling of repose and peace. The HDR light balance is great, too.

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[to see a world in a grain of sand]

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