LPS#5: change of heart

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

As I was observing more great entries pouring into LPS#5 submission funnel, I was starting to get a strong feeling that my current entry is not even remotely close to be considered a contender. :rolleyes

So I have decided to try a couple more (also nocturnal) ideas...

Moonlight Breeze:

Spanish Guitar:

(in case you have a hard time with the last caption, is a title of a song that goes like: "I wish that I was in your arms like that spanish guitar"...)

Decisions, decisions...:scratch

sherstone · May 12, 2007

I quite like Moonlight breeze
much more than your fenced moon.

out of these two the second is harder to grasp anything from...

eoren1 · May 12, 2007

Hey Nikolai,
I actually really, really like the second. Very abstract but great detail to force to look again and again. Excellent title as well.
E

richtersl · May 12, 2007

Moonlight Breeze!!!

Flyinggina · May 12, 2007

As usual, you have a wealth of material to choose from.

You know that I love your original entry (although I much prefer it in its first interation before you "improved" it), but these two are great.

Both of these new efforts are fabulous photographs, but I would go with Spanish Guitar. Yes it is harder to grasp, but it is so evocative - it pulls the viewer in. Plus it seems less contrived than #1 (or for that matter, your original entry). It also feels like a photo you might take because it is beautiful and not just for a challenge.

That said, #1 of the new batch is a good example of what might make it with the judges even though it illustrates both themes. I love the blue cast and the composition. Even so, I would ditch the moon. Much as I love your moon shots, for me it is too unsubtle in this picture.

Just my $.02 worth. Good luck, btw. It must be very exciting thinking about what you are going to come up with in the next few weeks for the quarter finals.

BistiArt · May 12, 2007

Nik's Got the MUSE

Nikolai wrote:

(in case you have a hard time with the last caption, is a title of a song that goes like: "I wish that I was in your arms like that spanish guitar"...)
Decisions, decisions...

Folks,

Its now confirmed [out of his own mouth]

Nik's a poet!

What I like about the Spanish Guitar is casting a theme for LPS in another series of themes which swirl around in your head... a song title which emotionally stresses the deepest feelings, coupled with a scene which those feelings evoke.

In writers lingo, "Nik, the MUSE is with YOU"!

Hats off to you, Nik!!!

pyroPrints.com · May 12, 2007

I gotta say spanish guitar (good song btw). My only nit would be: I'd like more of an outline (if you know what I mean). Just a bit more on the hips and the back to outline it better.

JillG · May 12, 2007

Hi nick,

Moonlight breezes is a nice pic ( I think you nailed the translucence ) & the blue is a beautiful tone. I think it may be a bit too complicated. Although the tie is a nice rounded shape going from the robe to her hand, it might be better without it.

Spanish Guitar is wonderful.

Even though I 'm not familiar with the song, I thought it a fitting title.

I know what you mean, Now I'm thinkiing mine isn't up to snuff:D

Jill

tsk1979 · May 12, 2007

Both are better than the oversized moon

I am not really a potrait and silhouette person, infact I don't know which of my own entry is better

But one thing I am sure of, these two are better than the moon

mwgrice · May 12, 2007

tsk1979 wrote:

Both are better than the oversized moon
I am not really a potrait and silhouette person, infact I don't know which of my own entry is better
But one thing I am sure of, these two are better than the moon

I'd vote for the second one, too. It has an elegant simplicity which the first one doesn't. I will also admit that the oversize moon is not to my taste, either.

saurora · May 12, 2007

JillG wrote:

Hi nick,

Moonlight breezes is a nice pic ( I think you nailed the translucence ) & the blue is a beautiful tone. I think it may be a bit too complicated. Although the tie is a nice rounded shape going from the robe to her hand, it might be better without it.

Spanish Guitar is wonderful. Even though I 'm not familiar with the song, I thought it a fitting title.

I know what you mean, Now I'm thinkiing mine isn't up to snuff:D

Jill

I like both of these better than your original post, Nik. I like the blue, but I agree with Jill that it may be too complicated with the moon. If you went with this one, I would ditch the moon. It's very lovely without it. Both work....it's a toss up!

tlee · May 12, 2007

I don't see the guitar one. But,I really like the moonlight breeze one.

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

sherstone wrote:

I quite like Moonlight breeze
much more than your fenced moon.

out of these two the second is harder to grasp anything from...

Don't tell anyone, but I like it more, too

Thanks!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

E,

eoren1 wrote:

Hey Nikolai,
I actually really, really like the second. Very abstract but great detail to force to look again and again. Excellent title as well.
E

Well, in all honesty, that's my biggest concern that it is a bit too abstract.

But I'm glad to hear it has that "retention" you've mentioned...
Thanks for looking and commenting!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Linda,

richtersl wrote:

Thanks!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Virginia,

Flyinggina wrote:

As usual, you have a wealth of material to choose from.
You know that I love your original entry (although I much prefer it in its first iteration before you "improved" it), but these two are great.

Thanks! At least I can say I'm trying:-)

Flyinggina wrote:

Both of these new efforts are fabulous photographs, but I would go with Spanish Guitar. Yes it is harder to grasp, but it is so evocative - it pulls the viewer in. Plus it seems less contrived than #1 (or for that matter, your original entry). It also feels like a photo you might take because it is beautiful and not just for a challenge.

I hear ya... And yes, I agree, it's much simpler. It's also not a dual one, like the first one is. However, this particular idea has been done sooooo many times in the magazine spreads that I can't help but having a bit of feeling of being "less original".

Flyinggina wrote:

That said, #1 of the new batch is a good example of what might make it with the judges even though it illustrates both themes. I love the blue cast and the composition. Even so, I would ditch the moon. Much as I love your moon shots, for me it is too unsubtle in this picture.

Really? Actually, I added it specifically because by itself the shot was kinda missing it. I spent quite some time trying different treatments, crops and arrangements. With the moon I don't even really need a title. Without it, title becomes too much of importance, which is not necessarily a good thing. This is also a reason why I'm so hesitant about #2: without the title it loses like 30% of an impact (for me at least)

Speaking further of a ditching the moon... How would you like this other version of the same shot?

Scent of a woman

Flyinggina wrote:

Just my $.02 worth. Good luck, btw. It must be very exciting thinking about what you are going to come up with in the next few weeks for the quarter finals.

Thanks again!

Yeah, I have a couple of ideas for the May, but nothing looks like rock solid thus far (not that I'm not gonna try them out anyway, you know me:-)

Cheers!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Joe,

BistiArt wrote:

Folks,
Its now confirmed [out of his own mouth]
Nik's a poet!

Thanks! I wish it was my song (I have a few, but none of them is that good)

BistiArt wrote:

In writers lingo, "Nik, the MUSE is with YOU"!

Now that you've mentioned it - I have three

, one for 20 years, one for 18 and one for 15. And all three can be very helpful at times

BistiArt wrote:

Hats off to you, Nik!!!

Thanks, man, appreciate it!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Pyro,

pyroPrints.com wrote:

I gotta say spanish guitar (good song btw). My only nit would be: I'd like more of an outline (if you know what I mean). Just a bit more on the hips and the back to outline it better.

Thanks!

Believe it or not I tried it (I took about 130+ shots in that session), just didn't work out well

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Jill,

JillG wrote:

Hi nick,

Moonlight breezes is a nice pic ( I think you nailed the translucence ) & the blue is a beautiful tone. I think it may be a bit too complicated. Although the tie is a nice rounded shape going from the robe to her hand, it might be better without it.

Spanish Guitar is wonderful. Even though I 'm not familiar with the song, I thought it a fitting title.

I know what you mean, Now I'm thinkiing mine isn't up to snuff:D

Jill

Thank you for the feedback!

Yes, #1 may be a bit too busy, but I kinda like it the way it "flows and glows"...

As to the #2: as I have already mentioned in my reply to Virginia, the heavy title dependency is the reason that keeps me from making it #1...

It's one of my favorite Tony Braxton's songs. Sincerely recommended!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Tanveer,

tsk1979 wrote:

Both are better than the oversized moon
I am not really a potrait and silhouette person, infact I don't know which of my own entry is better
But one thing I am sure of, these two are better than the moon

As to your entry - I did tell you which one I liked the most.

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

mwgrice wrote:

I'd vote for the second one, too. It has an elegant simplicity which the first one doesn't. I will also admit that the oversize moon is not to my taste, either.

Thank you, appreciate the feedback!

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Saurora,

saurora wrote:

I like both of these better than your original post, Nik. I like the blue, but I agree with Jill that it may be too complicated with the moon. If you went with this one, I would ditch the moon. It's very lovely without it. Both work....it's a toss up!

Thanks! :saurora
I'm still thinking

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

tlee wrote:

I don't see the guitar one. But,I really like the moonlight breeze one.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Frog Lady · May 12, 2007

I agree w/ MWGrice. Even w/o the title, it is classic, timeless and simply elegant. It clearly fits the theme and, in spite of its simplicity, pulls you in and makes you look. While it is somewhat abstract, there is no doubt that the out line is that of a shapely woman and, not knowing of the song, I feel (IMHO) that the title just adds to its elegance and makes the outline that much more powerful. I don't know, but it just grabbed me more than either of your other two.

C.

PS - even though I haven't been participating in the challenge, I always look forwards to your multiple attempts in each one and seeing the different ways you interpret the theme.

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Colleen

Frog Lady wrote:

I agree w/ MWGrice. Even w/o the title, it is classic, timeless and simply elegant. It clearly fits the theme and, in spite of its simplicity, pulls you in and makes you look. While it is somewhat abstract, there is no doubt that the out line is that of a shapely woman and, not knowing of the song, I feel (IMHO) that the title just adds to its elegance and makes the outline that much more powerful. I don't know, but it just grabbed me more than either of your other two.

C.

PS - even though I haven't been participating in the challenge, I always look forwards to your multiple attempts in each one and seeing the different ways you interpret the theme.

Thank you for the detailed comment!

It's a toss. I like them both (in fact, they both made my Best 2007 list). Luckily, I still have time to decide.

As to the multiple ideas: well, that's why I like the LPS and it's built-in duality. It makes me think harder, and not just for an hour or a day.
You can see my wheels turning in different directions at my dedicated challenges gallery...

Cheers!

indiegirl · May 12, 2007

Not that you need any more lavish rah rahs, but I thought you might want to know I am seriously in love with your second image and can't believe how beautiful it is. Rah rah that.

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

indiegirl wrote:

Not that you need any more lavish rah rahs, but I thought you might want to know I am seriously in love with your second image and can't believe how beautiful it is. Rah rah that.

Thanks!

Next time don't hold it back, I can use all rah rah I can get

eoren1 · May 12, 2007

Nikolai,
Something I'm learning as we head toward the end of the 5th round is that the judges sometimes want a photo that sucks them in and makes them think rather than being an in-your-face depiction of the theme. For example, my feedback on the last round was "26 - eoren1 - Big Brother is Watching: Doesn't say artificial to me, I think because I expect a video wall to be artificial. The photo look like it would better illustrate a lack of freedom or privacy."
To that end, I think that your second photo is much better suited for this round. It makes you stop and stare for a minute til you 'get' what it is and then you stay there for a few more minutes eating up the few details that your eye is given to chew on.
For what it's worth, I'll put it in my top-10 when I answer IndieGirls thread

E

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

E,

eoren1 wrote:

Nikolai,
Something I'm learning as we head toward the end of the 5th round is that the judges sometimes want a photo that sucks them in and makes them think rather than being an in-your-face depiction of the theme. For example, my feedback on the last round was "26 - eoren1 - Big Brother is Watching: Doesn't say artificial to me, I think because I expect a video wall to be artificial. The photo look like it would better illustrate a lack of freedom or privacy."
To that end, I think that your second photo is much better suited for this round. It makes you stop and stare for a minute til you 'get' what it is and then you stay there for a few more minutes eating up the few details that your eye is given to chew on.
For what it's worth, I'll put it in my top-10 when I answer IndieGirls thread
E

Thanks a lot, I do appreciate your feedback!

I keep thinking!

And shooting (this one fresh from the stroll-with-the-wifie):-)

douglas · May 12, 2007

Midnight Breeze, Fantastic

Spanish Guitar, Doesnt do much for me, not enough definition.
Scent Of A Woman: Great, but I like Midnight Breeze much better.
The last shot doesnt do for much for me.

Nikolai · May 12, 2007

Douglas,

douglas wrote:

Midnight Breeze, Fantastic
Spanish Guitar, Doesnt do much for me, not enough definition.
Scent Of A Woman: Great, but I like Midnight Breeze much better.
The last shot doesnt do for much for me.

Thanks!

BTW, I only posted the last one more like a joke

I hope it's obvious I'm not gonna trade either of the two for it...

LPS#5: change of heart

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