Once again, I am looking at an image that I find interesting and yet I am quite sure it should not be printed. The reason could be that it is possible to take in very quickly what the photo is about — and that is that. The center horizontal third is especially boring. Yes, a highlight glimmers and a bit of metal shows some shine. Other than that, it is pixel after pixel of gradient, proceeding from pale to dark green. Put differently, it is a big white orb with a button, some letters, a couple of handles, and a light bar: this and nothing more splayed against a clear blue sky.
Where things draw me a little more is the effect of the watercolor filter: not too heavy-handed, I think, although as with any of the filters it is easy to be easy with one’s intended restraint. The filter accentuates the shadow, makes the “button” more important by the way its features pop against the now-darker shadow, and allows me the private joke of using a watercolor filter on something related to oil; who says oil and water don’t mix?
Ultimately, I do, because a lame joke does not carry the image far enough to warrant doing more with it.
The original of this image invariably sends me scampering back to my photo archive, where I retain (too many) images, always in their unaltered state. I do not use iPhoto for any editing nor do I save any edited images to iPhoto. Nevertheless, I always double check this one because it always seems that this has been through adjustments and maybe filters, too. But it has not. It was taken without tripod at a local pond at dusk. Side lighting provides the variegations in the reeds and the water’s movement created by busy ducks and a light breeze that causes the ripples on the surface.
Having worked on a highly industrial, entirely non-organic subject with strong side lighting, I wanted to see what would happen if I were to look carefully for a simple filter manipulation on a less dramatically lit, but natural photo. A light touch of paint daubs seemed to heighten the effect of side light; at the lower right edge, especially, shading increases.
I like the simplifying effect of the cut-out filter and was initially pleased with its calming of the overall design. But I am disenchanted with the camouflage effect, an unavoidable consequence of the palette.
The composition is unruly, even uncomposed and the subject matter is certainly trite. It will take a mind more inventive than mine to find a fresh approach.
next page: Back Lighting; Filters or
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