Four-Field, serene mindscape

[Santtu Määttänen]

I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on this. The lack of focus is intentional and thought out, but at the same time it's one of the largest questions I have in my mind about this picture. Does it work? Does it translate? I meant this to be calm place, photograph to invoke serenity in the viewer. Give him/her a place to be quiet.

 

[Sparrow]

I like the linearity of it, and the colour and like the idea ... but I'm not sure about the de-focus or the predominance of the beach

I'd like to see the same photo in focus and with an equal amount of dry-sand and sky ...

 

[daveleo]

Keeping your description in mind . . .

it's pleasant.
maybe should be horizontal (vertical format is less relaxing than horizontal).
the waves and shades of the dry sand are mesmerizing.
the strict geometry above the sand is less so.
the de-focusing works for the sand and the water, but not sure about the mud flat area.

 

[Keith]

I like it ... and going against the grain I also like the OOF foreground! 😀

 

[Santtu Määttänen]

Thanks for your thoughts, I have in-focus horizontal pictures as well, but they don't communicate the same thoughts and views. Reason for vertical format is to give eyes place to wander, which at least for me is easier up and down, then left and right, as if it would be horizontal, more would fit into view at once and thus, making it less dynamic (even if there's no actual movement nor intention of dynamic movement, simply giving viewer more space).

I'll consider format and maybe play around with it some more.

About geometry, I thought that giving dry sand dominance at bottom, would work since eyes naturally find their place at about one thirds from top or bottom, which is why the center third is most focus area, while having softness to not take dominance over the picture. Also this is something to consider, however in 2/3 picture ratio, I find center compositions very displeasing to my eye. which is why I worked against it intentionally.

Wow, thanks for the fact that you make me think again my choices, it's always good to ask when in doubt not to get swept by other peoples opinions but by forcing your self consider yours. And of course adapt to new thoughts 🙂

Now I think I'm playing around a bit with the thought of horizontal format and perhaps about the focus of middle third. Not giving focus to sand, since that would dominate the picture and make it entirely an other story.

How does the colours work for you?

 

[daveleo]

The colors are pleasant for me.
Red would be bad 😀

 

[bk1970]

I agree, the colours feel just right, I wouldn't change them.

 

[lynnb]

I like it as it is, including the muted colours. I did wonder how it would look if the focus point was the small pond in the shadowed foreground, however, I suspect it would not be an improvement. I think you've achieved your goals.

 

[semrich]

I had a look at this in Silver Efex Pro using the #20 fine art high key with a red filter for another take on this. I liked it, of course that reflects my preference for B&W.

 

[Santtu Määttänen]

I didn't even consider this as B/W, checked out what I could do with it as one and for some reason went back to colour at once 🙂 I do love B/W, and I do plenty of those as well. But for some reason, this is for me, strongly a colour picture. Shades don't translate well enough for me, or I just can't adjust them to translate well enough.

 

[FrankS]

I like the concept.

The 4 field concept is weakened by the inclusions of the puddle, a darker strip of sand in the dark sand, and something in the water.

The lightest field being at the bottom is not the ideal arrangement compositionally/stylistically, IMO.

It reminds me of that famous Gursky image, so it could be worth a few million!

 

[Santtu Määttänen]

Actually didn't even think about Gursky, but now that you mention it there's certain similarity in style here. So it's worth a whole lot more now 🙂

I actually was thinking about erasing puddle, but it made it look too clinical to my eyes. (erasing it in PP, since location is bit far off right now). Light at bottom is something I personally prefer here but I see your point. At all times I've seen this at about 1,2 - 1,5m tall print in which the light part would be relatively low near the floor. And as thus being less intimidating in person.

Thanks for ideas and feedback. They are valued and they do help one to develop.

 

[shadowfox]

Santtu,
- I like the portrait orientation
- I like the colors

- But my eyes keep looking for the sharp (in-focus) middle part