very random. no order. doesn't make sense.... don't like it.

peepee: if you call back I'd be interested to know what you mean. I get that you don't like it, and that it doesn't make sense to you, but I don't understand what you mean by 'very random. no order.' Random as opposed to what? And I don't see quite why you think this is lacking in order (if, by order, you mean structure, content, and so on). And if you still can't make any sense of it, come back tomorrow - alongside my next image it might make a bit more sense to you.

I like this one! Something tells me part of the reason I like it is the same reason peepee doesn't like it. An amalgamation of objects, shapes and textures not normally associated with one another. I also really like how the left side of the image has a 2D feel to it, seems very 'flat' while the right side dominated by the water has some depth. This feels like a really welll done conte/charcoal/mixed medial drawing.

So yes, quite tasty, thanks for sharing it.

Dave -- I LOVE this image ... of course *I* would -- these sort of shots thrill me. It begs so many questions, for one thing -- and as for the image itself -- it's perfect in black and white -- it adds to the mystique -- ...What perplexes me about this image is the juxtapostion of the wheel and the pedal (not to mention how the feather got there) -- I just can't quite make out if the pedal is still attached, or not... Also, looks like the bike is lodged in the sand (probably something you saw on your recent family outing to the beach) -- and it makes me wonder just how it got there... Nicely done -- very artistic -- and very compelling... Can't wait to see your followup to this one...

i don't know how to exactly explain it. it's not about the particular objects themselves - but where they are positioned in the picture. the wheel is not quite in front, not quite in the center and not quite to the side either...like it's not anchored to anything, it's just... there. and then there's that other smaller object (i'm not really sure what it is) and it's in the same disposition. so when i look at the picture my focus tends to move towards that gap of water between the wheel and the smaller object. but then even the water has no order, i mean on the right side it is calm and the ripples are horizontal, but on the right side the ripples are wavy. the two different directions of the water merge in that gap i was speaking of and since that's where my focus is drawn to it looks very strange. like... messy. it's like, looking at something (coz i consciously know there are objects in the picture) but since i'm focusing on that gap, it's like looking at nothing at the same time too. do you ken what i mean? so in that way, it's not very sensible, or logical - which is not a bad thing if that was your intention, but what makes me not like it is that it's not sending any clear message to me visually, mentally or emotionally. i stare at it and the first thing i think of is "what is that suppose to be?" - in a somewhat not-so-leading-to-deeper-reflection kind of way, lol. i don't know...

in hindsight, that square thing is a pedal isn't it, lol. duh!! lol.

peepee: I guess I thought this would be obvious, but this is a shot of a buried bicyle, hence the pedal. And I understand what you mean about the composition, but I don't see it that way. I'll post more tomorrow, but I'd be interested to hear what other people think before I 'explain' this shot as I see it.

Dave... personally I think that this is the best shot on the entire site. Gorgeous monochrome, water, detail, shading... everything. What a wonderful and moving composition

Great imagery and good PS work. This saturated sepia suits and as ever the main part of the image is compositionally spot on.. Nice

I like this one too. The tone is nice. Has a grainy feel but also looks soft. Hrm. LOL That probably doesnt make sense. Bah, you know wot I mean =) Anywayz, composure is interesting. It caught my eye.

Dave, I only found your site a month or so ago, but I have to say, I'm absolutely stunned at your ability. You post some of the most awesome photographs I have ever seen. Like this one. Exquisite composition. Beautiful exposure. The feather is a lovely touch as well. Keep up the good work - and get a book published while you're at it. :)

David, Im gonna have to agree with peepee on this one. (heh..never thought I'd use peepee in a sentence like that.)....my eyes was immediately drawn to the water between the wheel and the pedal also. I dont agree with the not liking part though...its an interesting shot..its just weird....also, whats with the white white sand on the tire...i thought (at first) it was snow (which, of course, it can't be). Plus the water seemed to be way too smoothed out....but anyway..im just being picky. I know you like to hear peoples comments...good or bad......and the feather...what the heck? Now floating in between the pedal and the wheel might have been interesting....but probably too cluttered...which is what i think its doing now..

Would it be possible Dave for you to run over the PS work for this shot? I am really interested in the effect

Jeremy: yes, sure, but I may not have the time today as we have family visiting. I will go through it though, and if it's not today I'll drop you an email to let you know.

I think the composition works very well, and to me it's very obvious what it is at first glance. Despite being just an old bike I think it's a very powerful picture, at least for me. Makes me wonder how the bike ended up there, or who rode it, or how long it has been there.

Some people might find the contrast of the light top and the dark bottom distracting, but I like it the way it is. Good job.

Hmm...I like it because it's interesting to try to figure it out, but don't like it in the pleasing-artsy-emotional way. Get that? I keep expecting to see a face burst out of the water and take a breath.

From a composition point of view, it would have worked better for me if it had been flipped, with the wheel in the left top quadrant with the negative-space moving my eyes towards that. With this composition, though, you couldn't do that without a wetsuit. LOL.

Anyway, the shot really works if you use the amount of time that one spends looking at it as a guage.

Very intriguing composition. I like it. I dig the sepia toning, I think it suits the image. However I'd be curious to see it in color!

east3rd (and anyone else who's interested): I've put a less PS'd version of this image here:

.../iblog/archives/needs_some_attention.php

Basically, this image was converted to B&W using the Channel Mixer to extract the red channel, the contrast was increased using the Curves tool, and the final image was colourised.

the feather is my favorite: it's nicely juxtaposed in the spokes. and the monochrome effect is perfect here. very nice!

i really like this shot too. i especially like the colour. when i first saw this shot it made me think "old". i'm not sure how to expalin that feeling, but it just felt old and not in the "ooh, it'll look old if i sepia tone it..." but in this feeling of something that has laid undiscovered for quite some time.

i can understand what people are saying about the composition, but sometimes i think there is too much emphasis on the "rules" of composition, and i like to see them broken from time to time.

You could use this image and its progenitor as perfect examples of how monochrome can add dimension to a picture. It's really interesting to load each in its own window and flip between the two with Alt-Tab. It's a good image Dave and I find the tonal range very appealing - one that would have been hard - but not impossible - to pre-visualise and create using conventional film and filters.

I like this photo because it gives a sense of a great passage of time. I love photos where you're left wondering "what happened there?!"

i think a good photo or work of art causes a reaction of some sort, be it positive or negative. aside from whether it is a good composition or a high quality photo, it has an impact on those that view it. that is the making of a great photo. you have captured that. this is a thought-provoking photo--- nice!

Thanks everyone.

Fraxinus: using the Channel Mixer to extract the red channel is not really any different to using a red filter, but it's a long time since I did any B&W developing so I suspect you may well be right.

As for the composition of this shot: it's based on what's not visible. Peepee mentioned that "the wheel is not quite in front, not quite in the center and not quite to the side either", but if you complete the circle - then it's sits neatly in the corner of the frame. Likewise, the handlebars probably bisect the bottom-left corner of the image, the crossbar probably runs up the left side, and the rear wheel should form an arc in the top right corner. At least, that was my intention - I guess it didn't quite come across ;-)

i would also like to see it in color...but i think the composition is great and it definitely gives a feeling of neglect. when looking at shots like these...im always curious as to how things end up this way. any picture that makes you ponder is a good one in my book. great work as usual!

QUOTE: As for the composition of this shot: it’s based on what’s not visible. Peepee mentioned that “the wheel is not quite in front, not quite in the center and not quite to the side either”, but if you complete the circle - then it’s sits neatly in the corner of the frame. Likewise, the handlebars probably bisect the bottom-left corner of the image, the crossbar probably runs up the left side, and the rear wheel should form an arc in the top right corner. At least, that was my intention - I guess it didn’t quite come across ;-)

On the contrary, I think you hit the nail on the head:
http://news.geomag.com/news/2002/09/0925_020925_zengarden.html

You say in the comment on comments: So, if you really don’t like a particular shot, or you think there’s something about it that could be improved, please try to tell me why and/or how.

The very fact people can't explain why they like/dislike the photo is tribute to the composition. The unconscious effect of this deliberate composition is feeling.

Did you even realise you were creating zen art when you hit the shutter button?

Thanks for sharing such an extraordinary shot (and thanks to the commentors who helped elucidate).

Wonderful find along with the feather... Both lost - both discarded...

I think this is a gorgeous shot, superbly composed. It has a magical feel to it. I just love it.

breathtaking beautiful and poetical shot!

Beautiful photo!

It amazes me that some people actually search for complete sense and order when dealing with art and enjoyment. Come on people, open up your minds a bit.

Critics are the people who arrive at the battleground and shoot the wounded.

the subject really makes the mind ponder; grabs one's attention. What happened here? This would make a good story starter. It lends itself easily to writing a narrative on the subject. And the elements are strange.That's why i like it.