So who is it behind the prism then?...hang on...have I missed something?

It's...different...and interesting.

And I like it.

Although personally I think that some of your experimentation lacks the zest your other images have - I do like this one. It's abstract, colourful and just... different. Nice shot Dave! :)

Came across you site yeaterday thanks to a reference by someone on the buy / sell forum on Fredmiranda, spent next 2 hours on your site. This one is okay - but not as much "going on" as many of your others. Really enjoyed your gallery - inspiring...

Is it a real photo or just photomontage?

Uh, spoooky! Maybe I was sitting too close to the monitor but the ghost-like reflection did not immediately jump out at me. I was focusing (at least trying to) on the center portion and almost had a heart attack when your spirit-like subject crept into my peripheral view.

I think this one came out precisely as you intended. Unfortunately, I feel as though I need to be looking over my shoulder now.

A simple presentation but a very powerful affect.

Mr Subjective here. Slightly too unreal for me. I've enjoyed looking at it but I wouldn't buy a book of them. Whether a montage or not it looks constructed. That's not a criticism, but an observation. Photography's strength is that it is rooted in realism. This competes with the graphic arts and cartoons, and they would ultimately be more flexible if you were interested in making this sort of image.

Fun.

Train window. Huh. I never woulda guessed. Pretty cool effect, though.

ps: it's a real photograph, but it's been manipulated quite heavily. Specifically, the area to the right of the face has been stretched, and the cyan at the bottom of the image was added during processing (it was a rather sludge like brown in the original). All that said, it's pretty much faithful to the idea of the original.

Sharla: I guess that the spooky side of this one was something that hadn't occured to me, at least not as you experienced it. Apologies for the suprise ;-)

cj: yep, the line between 'true' reflection and constructed artefact is a thin one.

certainly a puzzle.

I don't know why, but for me the face looks like Patrick Stewart's face (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

it was the first name that came on my mind...

Interesting, sci-fi style image (I'm thinking "2001" via Kubrick). I think the melancholic (is that a word?) expression on his face reinforces the feel of futuristic isolation.

Reminded me of the actor who played Francis Dollarhyde in the original version of "Red Dragon"...which isn't a great thought at this time of night. Whoever it is...they have the aura of a magus and the mystical spectrum suits...

David,

It's a real joy to see all those colors in a very grey day.
So very different and at the same time so very Chromasia style.

Honestly not sure what to make of this image. The guy has dark circles under his eyes that make him look creepy, which is unsettling, which is good.

I liked it, very original. The eye and the bottom stretch of color match; liked that, too.

A fresh and unique take on a portrait. I love the originality of this.

Love the colors of this one. Another amazing work David!

Thanks a lot for sparking my interest in photography and giving me inspirations to my pictures as well. I love your site.

well you have a lot of guts to pull out that monster lens on the train! this makes for a wonderful and very original abstract, only nit to pick is for a little more contrast around the eye

------------------------------

I wonder how the windows could do that... or maybe it's just what you did to the image. It's very eerie and abstract - very interesting, though definately not one of my favorites.

very interesting snap...loved the shades of colors across...

Big Brother is watching YOU

I agree with Gary above regarding bringing that lens on the train... of course with your smaller lens you probably wouldn't have been able to pull off this shot. And even with all the ps work, I like the image.

D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-T
Doesn't "feel" like Chromasia, but I like it.
You are becoming very unpredictable Mr. Nightingale.
Nice diversions lately.
Rob

I think this is spectacular. I'd go so far as to say it's one of your best portraits. Poignant, simple, unique.

Good

"it's been manipulated quite heavily. Specifically, the area to the right of the face has been stretched, and the cyan at the bottom of the image was added during processing (it was a rather sludge like brown in the original). All that said, it's pretty much faithful to the idea of the original."
HAHAHA - Does nobody else find that statement so funny. You basically changed everything! By faithful to the idea of the original, do you mean its the same file as the original?

I went into a museum the other day...
There were so many paintings there...
But all I could think looking at them was, "what a shame, none of these images are ANYTHING LIKE the original canvases!!"

Funny reaction from your wife.
Very strong image. The colors and the leading lines work well together.

Honestly not even close to my favorite of yours. It is somewhat interesting though.

Dave, without meaning to offend, I think I can sense through your pictures that you are feeling a bit burnt out at the moment. While they have been interesting, they've often taken a strange twist and IMO, not been up to your usual standard in the last few weeks. Work through it! :)))))

My first thought was "Welcome to the 60s". The colours sent my mind of in a pleasant pschedelic direction. Nice one.

...and one day I will learn how to spell psychedelic... :)

I just don't know.

I'm a fan of your train reflection shots, but this one is just different!

Maybe its slightly oversaturated. I'm also not too keen on the choice of colours (especially the green).

but the mans face is definitally good.

Interestingly I decided to have a play with the image, and if you change the HUE by 180 in PhotoShop. The colours look like the Russian Flag.

Very Interesting, I like it. :)

Ooh, more experimentation! I am finding these experiemental shots quite enjoyable, even when I don't "like" them. This one I love. I had exactly the same reaction as Sharla. My eyes started around the centre of the pic, enjoying the soft colours, then moved slowly left, towards the slight colour variation, which slowly resolved into ... my gawd! A face! Shock and Surprise!!

Three months ago I could have accurately described to a friend the type of photographs that they would see on Chromasia. Now my description would have to be broadened. I would tell my friend all that same good stuff plus some edgy experimental stuff and I would add that it's a wonderful adventure. And the bonus is what are generally the most intelligent comments and discussions anywhere on the web. Thanks David and all your fine commentators.

It's such an original shot - I definately like it! I think your interpretation makes it very intriguing.

I really like this image. the colors do make the image very appealing, but for me the expression on the mans face is priceless. this hollow stare (as if staring back into the darkest corners of his life gone by) is certainlly chilling to me, as I am sure i have this stare quite often in my own life.

It took me quite a long while to even notice the person! Me like it! As some of the other who have commented, i was focusing on the centre, and when the person jumped out as me i nearly screamed!
Youre a lot more subtle at photoediting than me, perhaps you could share some of your tricks with us sometime?! IMO youre definately up to your usual high standard, you are just doing much more diverse shots than usual!
Take care, Ellie

I really like it - composition, color... great image. And the best of all... in the EXIF data - "cropped?: that's the least of it" ROFL

The long focal you used is indeed unusual for such pictures, but the result is so good and original that it was very worth to try it !
I like it, as 99,9% of your other pictures ! You are a good reference to those like me who try to learn photography by themselves !

Thank you.

perfect image ...
thnks

I'd like to see it with no colors, but of course it's very interesting!

colorful.... wow !!!
i love this one..

"I went into a museum the other day...
There were so many paintings there...
But all I could think looking at them was, 'what a shame, none of these images are ANYTHING LIKE the original canvases!!' "

First off... You're an idiot Peter.

Second of all, it doesn't matter that this is so manipulated - but when the artist doesn't realize just how untrue it is to the original - then something's not good about the piece.

and finally, you're an idiot Peter.

Thanks everyone.

Geoff: yep, I am felling a bit burnt out and this has meant that I've been revisiting shots that I'm not entirely happy with with a view to reprocessing them; hence the various "strange twists". And no, they 'may not up to my usual standard, but I'd rather work less succesfully outside of my comfort zone every once in a while rather than just churn out the same sort of stuff day after day. I guess, at some point, that the experimental stuff will become a bit more routine, at least those experiments that I like, at which point the quality will probably become a little more consistent.

Jasmine: you're absolutely right, I'm continually delighted by the standard of discussion on chromasia.

GP: it didn't work in black and white: far too flat.

Matthew: with respect, a) I know exactly how 'untrue' this is to the 'original' tiff file, but I also know that it's close to my idea of how I think it should look, and b) I'm all in favour of debate, but I don't think it needs to be acrimonious. You have your opinion, Peter has his.

Dave,

This is my favorite image of yours, at least from this sub-genre. I can't quite place it, but the colors and focus show a confidence that reveals a sort of confidence not present in most photographers' work. It is for this reason that I'm again itching to get out shooting. I really like it!

Andy

As an image it works for me.. I like it.. The satuesque nature of the face left of frame and the colours upon it work very well for me.. It appears heavily manipulated yet as a graphic I find it pleasing to the eye and interesting.. a subtle futuristic feel.

Un portrait arc-en-ciel...
I don't know how to say that in english, but I like this photo... very very... (the others too... ;-D)

It's not my favourite Dave, but I think that experimenting is in some ways the future of creative photography. Were you thinking of the visual spectrum in this image ? I am reading it that way.

The image will almost certainly grow on me because there is something about it that is hard to define. It may be the deliberate decision to let human element sit at the edge of the frame or the bands of colour.

Okay, maybe I do Like it.

Well. There you have it. I am an idiot.
Matthew has informed me that I am one.
I will probably be an idiot for the rest of my life, I would expect.
But I could ask Matthew about this part of it I suppose.
You know, since he is an expert on who is an idiot and all that.
You know, along with being an expert at originality in photography.

And now back to a discussion of David's [wonderful][but then what would I know, I'm an idiot] photography...

Hello David...
This is a pic i am not shure about, if I like it or not...but its a provoking, interesting thing you started, a new way of interpretation of portrait.. And thats why I can*t get away from it.

Interesting picture, I think the aspect ratio you used for this shot works really well and adds to the overall composition.

Interesting, I didn't notice the face until I hit the comments and saw the thumbnail. I didn't like it at first until I saw the face. Teach me to slow down and take in the shot before jumping to the comments! :)

great shot

i love it. my great respect.