From: caroleigh@c...
Date: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:02 pm
Subject: Critique: CJ Middendorf (Car Art - 4 photos)
Hood Ornament
I'm liking the three elements you've got here, CJ -- green background,
blue foreground, and the chrome ornament. I also like the layers of horizontality
that you've created. This is a wonderful photograph. My only suggestion
would be to lighten it a bit. It looks somewhat dark on my monitor (where
have we heard THAT recently?!) and I think it would be improved considerablly
were it lighter. So all in all, very, very good photograph.
Painted Lady
Now this is incredibly cool! Wonderful abstract yet recognizable. I like
the fact that you went for a vertical although it may have also worked
well as a horizontal. The tire down in the lower left is a nice touch
and what's even nicer is the orange ring around the wheel cover that echoes
the orange on the car's paint job. Very exciting photograph. Could it
be lightened? Perhaps a tad. Could it be improved? Don't know how -- I
think it's terrific.
Running Board Reflection
Good symmetry here as well as "Rule of Thirds" -- one-third
dark running board, two-thirds red car. And good repeating pattern of
horizontal-ish lines, broken up by the Zagato emblem in the upper left.
I also like how the silvery lines on the running board stand out more
than their reflection in the side of the vehicle -- breaks up what COULD
be considered as the monotony of the reflections. Interesting that there
are two implied "horizon lines" in this photo -- the one where
the running board meets the car and another line just below the Zatgato
emblem. This is an intriguing photo, CJ -- subtle but effective.
Red Gills
Now this one I'm not too sure about . . . Naturally the color really stands
out, as does the repeating pattern of the "gills." The black
and chrome hoo-ha there at the top puzzles me. If you liked it as an important
element in the photo, it doesn't come across that way. If you just couldn't
keep it out of the photo, it comes across as an accident. I think there
needs to be some sort of focal point in this photo to make it sing, and
the black/chrome thingie doesn't really do it, do you think? I'm wondering
what I would have done in the same situation. I would have been attracted
to the red gills as you were, but I'm not sure I'm seeing anything else
that I could have worked with. Sometimes you think, "Oh, cool color,
cool pattern. Now what the heck do I do with it?" And if you can't
come up with anything, you'd do well to just walk away . . .
So my favorite is your Painted Lady as well as your Hood Ornament, followed
by the Running Board Reflection. Nicely done!
Carol Leigh
