Last week I made the comment that
sometimes a viewer may not like a photograph because she or he may not see
what is expected or wanted in the image. Because I thought it
might be fun and interesting (for me, anyway), I am writing my reviews using
these assumptions - that my reaction to an image may not have anything to do
with what the photograph consists of, but everything to do with my
perception of the photograph. In some cases I am adding a note from my
past - "comment on what is in the image, not what I want to be in the image,"
mode.
Robin G. Ramos
Heaven's Eye: I want to
see the "Heaven's Eye". For this reason, I would crop the photograph
to a vertical that included the "eye" and the one lit rock below the eye (and,
of course the water below the eye). In my old (as in past) reviewer's
mode, I'd say this is an amazing image with a perfect title.
Rich Mason
Aspen, Colorado: In my past mode of
reviewing PhotoForum Gallery images, I would say this is a fascinating
photograph. Nice patterns and colors. In my "I want" mode, I
find the hand pointing irritating. What is it pointing to? "I
want" my question answered in this photograph (selfish as I
am).
Christopher Strevens
Guilford Cathedral: This
photograph isn't telling me much. I want something to be happening; some
people in the church praying, getting married, gang members writing graffiti on
the walls. . . something. In my past mode, I'd say I like the serene
colors and quiet of this image. I like the majestic lines of the
architecture. It looks like the inside of a church feels.
David Small
Street portrait: This
photograph gives me everything I want to see - almost. I want to see more
of the person's surroundings.
Bob Talbot
Passer-by: I want to see
nice, even, straight lines. In my old reviewer's mode, I'd say this is an
exciting and unusual photo and I like the angle - it jangles my nerves
and gives the photo action and helps tell the story.
Harvey A. Duze
Dupont Circle Fountain (Early Morning
Snow): I want the snow in the lower portion of the photograph to be
perfect - without footprints and slush and the statue in the center of the
photograph to be in perfect focus. In my old reviewer's mode, I'd say this
is a stunning image. I love the grays and whites with the red
umbrella.
Louis C Smith
Spring in Victoria: I want
either more flowers filling the fame or a tighter crop on the flowers that are
in the frame. In past reviewer's mode, I'd say I like the
knife-sharp detail in the petals of the flowers and the close up of the
flowers being offered on purple platters.
D.L. Shipman
Happy herons, Venice Florida:
These are supposed to be "Happy Herons". I want them laughing and telling
jokes
{;-> In my old reviewer's mode,
I'd let you know, D.L., that I love the colors and detail. It's a
beautiful image.
Dan Mitchell
Military Man: This is another
photograph in this gallery that gives me everything I want - almost. The
tiny touch of purple in the upper right corner is distracting. I want it
gone {;->
Rubin F. Diehl
Ticiana #32: This
photograph sends me multiple and mixed messages. I want to see the grace,
beauty, curves and sensuality of a female form, but the lines seem hard, angular
and uncomfortable.
The look on the model's face and her
hands crossed above her give a feeling of fear (on the model's part)
and domination (by someone else in the room) . If this is a
photograph of the female form, I want the softness and tenderness there.
If this photo is to convey other messages, I want the lighting harsher and hand
cuffs or ropes on the model's wrists.
Bill Ellis
Traffic Jam on the way Home: I live
in the Los Angeles area. I don't want to see a traffic jam on the way
home. Other than turning my stomach into a knotted
mass, this photograph doesn't do too much for me. In my old mode,
I'd say this photo is an in-focus and well done document of life in
the 21st century.
Sonny Labay
wtc site: This image is too
hard, grim and gray. I want something to break the boredom.- an
airplane pulling a colorful banner across the sky; colorful sail boats in
the water; the sun shining on all the windows making prism-like rainbows
on the buildings.
In my old reviewer's mode, I'd say
this image portrays the gloom and sadness of 9-11.
During this review session, I felt
Blue Beard (my sometimes alter ego) trying to break through. I held him at
bay this time, but who knows about the next review?
Marilyn Dalrymple
