It's the tone and contrast in the post that sing out to me on this one David, really like it. Mal

I dislike this as it feels contrived. I ddn't like the previous image featuring these props either.

Now I’m taking photography more seriously (and being commissioned to do some of it), the enjoyment you mentioned in using one’s skill and judgement to get the results you want—which ultimately drives one on—can be sometimes diluted by the commercial pressures of what the person who’s paying wants...

I suppose it’s that old question of getting the balance right...

:-)

mooch: no, honestly, I found them like that ;-) Seriously though, of course it's contrived. That was the point ;-)

Arthur: yes, it's a question of balance. Fortunately, for the time being at least, we're in a position where we can choose to follow through on commissions or not. Any that I thought would be a complete pain; i.e. a long way away from the images I'd like to produce, I'd probably turn down. But that's a luxury we have at the moment.

Thanks for putting up the 'few more here' examples - I'm not sure this adds to the debate but my favourites in the sequence are actually numbers 5 and 6. All the best.

A nice position to be in: hope it lasts for you!

:-)

For the people that the elephants mean something too these will be fab shots.
I like the 1st and last colour elephant shots as images in their own right.

I had a look at shooter’s site and I don't believe they could have taken the shot and I know for sure I couldn't. So doubt the “anyone could have taken it” tag.

I much prefer the shot of the kids from yesterday - I like photos to capture moments and that certainly did.

Dave, I think you have some harsh critics - which can be both a good and a bad thing. Both your fine art photography and your commissioned work are cleary excellent in their own ways. Keep 'em coming :)

It's probably quite sucessful as a commisioned shot, because whoever comissioned them is no doubt emotionally involved with these elephants which would affect her perception of the photos. From an emotional distance however, they do come across as contrived and .. facile was the first word that came to mind. I like the shots, but I just feel they are not the type of photography you would do for yourself. And I think that while there is clearly room for commissioned work and it can also be rewarding, I doubt very much whether it will very often be as good as work shot purely for personal pleasure. Sometimes it can be both, like maybe the fireworks stuff. I know you said you didn't really like fireworks photos so maybe that's not a good example, but for me I could make that personal. But this sort of thing? Anyway, I'm waffling as much as you were, but I think I've made my point. I definately prefer your personal work, but it's also very interesting to see some of the stuff you're getting paid to do.

I tend to agree with mooch. I like querky photos whether contrived or not .. but I'm uncertain of the significance of this one. Technically good and I'm sure not too difficult to achieve with your good kit. But I may be under-estimating numerous subtle skills Dave.
Is it possible/ok for me to send you my querky contrived humorous shot that I took one evening on an empty Suffolk beach.
I'm seriously pleased to have found your site ...thanks

Some harsh critics out there indeed. I like the way you reveal your journey through Chromasia. I enjoy viewing all your photographs because I know that there has been a degree of thought and consideration behind them, whether they be personal, 'fine-art' or commercial.

To enjoy the whole process of photography, regardless of it's purpose, is essential to being a successful photographer, in whatever genre or field you may choose. It's often quoted, but as Gary Winogrand so rightly said:

"Photography is not about the thing photographed. It is about how that thing looks photographed."

Oh and as for the elephants, if I had to choose two pictures from that set to illustrate a catalogue it would be number 3 for 'eye-appeal', and the composition of number 5 with the lighting of number 6 to show the actual product.

Wow, I love this one:
http://www.chromasia.com/preview/henrietta/source/_mg_5312_colour.html

It looks like a story book illustration, or even an image from I Spy.

And today's shot is quite nice, too. :)

I think you should photograph and post what you like. I don't always like, or even understand, what you post (and that goes for other photoblogs I visit as well) but it often makes me think, which is a good thing.

Yes, the last one was a bit "catalogue" but all that shows is versatility and I disagree with the "most folk" thing. "Most folk" wouldn't have been thinking about what they were doing or trying to achieve.

And that's possibly the (one of the) difference(s) between being a photographer and a person with a camera. (Which I nearly erased because it seems, what, pretentious? Trite? I dunno.)

I love the detail of the weather beaten post and the contrast between the elephants and said post.

I preferred the other H's Elephant shot. It had a greater sweeping sense to it.

This is such a great shot. The thing i love about it is the tone. How do you get this light sepia-like tone?

i much prefer the coloured versions (especially the 5th and 6th pictures) to the black and white/sepia ones. i'm so glad you put up a linkto them since you didn't post them on the blog =)

as for yesterday's picture, yes, it did seem a bit "catalogue-ish", but that's not necessarily a bad thing. and, as you said, that's the feel you probably should have been going for anyway. i think it's interesting to see the difference between the elephant pictures and yesterday's, considering they were both commisioned.

While I don't think it is your greatest work, it is fun and I love what you have said about rationalizing posting some shots that don't belong in the louvre, While it is probably difficult to post shots your are not entirely happy with, and you don't want to degrade the overall impression of your blog, for regular viewers it is good to see some that reflect processes and ideas as much as a final result. I recently agonized about posting a few clearly flawed shots (not that all mine aren't flawed but that's another issue) but I hope that even these flawed images added to the conversation so to speak... I am a lover of abstracts and tend to gravitate towards this kind of material and away from representational work, but one thing I am learning, when I view great portraits on some of the blogs I watch is that many of the same expressionistic emotions that I like in an abstract exist in good protraits, even ones that from purely an image standpoint have some flaws. I guess we should always strive for great imagery no matter what the subject is, but I think imperfections always exist anyways and I love to see the process of exploration.... (sorry for the ramble!)

David, one thing for sure is that the picture is definitely in "your style" and easily recogniseable as so. Whilst this might be one shot that I don't have any great feelings about one way or another, part of the pleasure derived from visiting chromasia is because I never know what you might post.

If you can meet the requirements and please a client, then you've done the job you were asked to do.

There is of course that old addage, you can't please all of the people all of the time.....

I really like the post treatment here with this duotone mood. The composition is great too. I have a question regarding the depth of field you get with a f/8 aperture. Is it the real shot that gives such a DOF or did you reach that in the PP ?

Anyway great one.

Haha these are really adorable. : )

well, it's not that chromasia shot I expected...

The bokeh looks too good to be true. Photoshop?

I like the elephants. Nice DoF, capture of the woodgrain and lighting on the elephants. Of all the "elephant" photos, I'd have to say I like the last one the best, which is strange for me. I usually prefer the monotone images.

About being a photographer, everyone has their own style. Each photographer captures images differently and if someone else likes your style, then great. If they don't care for your style, that's great, too. Maybe they have something else to offer; a different perspective. One thing is for sure: no one else will truly feel what the photographer felt when the photo was taken; and to the photographer, that feeling will always be a part of the picture.

Anyone that posts their pics for the world to see must be ready to take some criticism and I think you take the criticism well. You seem to be open to the ideas and thoughts of others.

Thanks for sharing a part of your world with us.

I guess there's always a danger in presenting your art for all to see. Even more danger when you allow anyone and everyone to give thier own critique.

You are a great artist! I can't believe you are able to post a great shot every day. Not very often you post an image that doesn't "speak to me" as strongly as your other work, but I can always see a thoughtful, disciplined craftsman at work. I can ALWAYS learn something from your work.

As you said, "...there are many different reasons I take photographs and what you see here is a record of those efforts. Some you'll like, some you won't, but chromasia is a record of that journey."

I for one love following along on your journey.

(And I do like this image too!)

Nice capture, but I think I might have liked it better had the sepia toning been eliminated and you went straight grayscale.

David, I very much enjoy the journey and even appreciate the shots I do not like. It is unrealistic for every visitor to like every image and I know you know this, but it is just a reminder that not everyone will understand or appreciate the journey you are on unless you remind them every post, which is just ... well lame and unnecisarry.

There are two types of visitors, those that follow your journey and feel like they are a part of it somehow, and those that I can only classify as consumers. The come to be pleased in their own selfish way. I am not saying those people are bad, just stating what I have perceived over time to be reality. Now, this is also not to classify everyone that does not like an image and speaks up about it as a consumer, so do not shoot me ... shooter. I just know that there has to be a little understanding both ways.

Regarding this image, I like it.

Thanks everyone.

Maran: the bokeh is from the lens not Photoshop.

As for what gets posted here and how people respond: I guess I'll carry on doing things in much the same way, and I do appreciate your comments, both the postive and the negative ones, from those who follow the journey, and those who don't.

great image. lovely series of photographs.