Shot August 2009 in Lexington, with the 400D and 24mm TSE lens, polarized, 1/1000th at f/4 and ISO 100. 30" print, developed last week.
A significant fraction of people are strongly put off by the titles in my compositions, and I may write at some length this week about it, because I'm conflicted over the issue myself. But in my internal debate, it always boils down to, "if the title can increase the resonance of an image by an order of magnitude, then how on earth can I not include it?" That is, I would consider this image to be Exhibit A for doing exactly what I do.
However, by now you've surely noticed that I've compromised by making them less intrusive than I used to. A friend of mine was squinting at one a couple of weeks ago and said, "They're like hieroglyphics if you're not looking right at them," and I said, "Yes, that is exactly what I'm trying to do."
So, what do you think? I feel surely that this image could stand proudly on its own, but could it possibly resonate as strongly, without the title to bring it into the crisper focus of what I have in mind? This is especially important for me as I branch out from models into scenery and architecture, and really feel they'll need the extra "help," not to be impressive, but to be meaningful.
And, for different fun, do you see that you almost certainly could not take this picture with your camera? I rented a truly awesome piece of gear for a month this summer, and have been drooling ever since to buy my own.
I love it! And it reminds me of Mr. Bill, although much more majestic. I'm working through backwards, hope that's not a problem.
Posted by: Alyssa Morris | 21 December 2009 at 08:40 AM