The Heavy Sky Photo

Photographer’s Note

The heavy sky of coastal Alaska--it doesn't threaten rain, but it has a feeling of weight, a feeling like a room ceiling hanging down too low for comfort.

Humanity is represented only by the one individual in the far distance.

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Critiques | Translate

Paolo (40690) 2005-09-12 11:08

Hi Ken, nice picture, with that dramatic sky and that beautiful grey tones everywhere.
excelletn the POV so close to the rocky land. excellent eprspectiv and DOF.
thanka, ciao

danielswalsh (13306) 2006-04-16 23:28

As mentioned in my previous critique I gave you... I came across these shots via your forum posting- asking for our thoughts.

With this shot, there's just not alot to catch my interest. To me, the heavy cloudy sky is no more exiting then a cloudless blue sky.

Sorry Ken, just not what I consider one of your better shots.

All the best,
- Dan

macondo (13067) 2006-04-22 5:09

I'm also critiquing this as a result of your comments in the forum, and agree with danielswalsh - this is not one of your better ones. The sky is poorly rendered, they don't even look like clouds and yet occupy a large proportion of the photo. Some of what you consider your mediocre ones are better than this one, Ken.
Andrew

Marinaio (69) 2006-04-22 6:30

Daer Ken, I add this critique only to reply to other two you got from your forum post. I must admit that I like the B/W, and the cloudy sky is very different from the blue sky in B/W. My only real criticism is that I can not detect the "humanity" in your photo, the individual is too little and merged in the background, but I understand your feeling in making this shot.
Claudio

KevRyan (22344) 2006-04-27 21:43

Interesting Forum post Ken - I like how you add to the depiction of the sky by your description and that gives a big clue as to the strength of your own feelings/appreciation of this image - I've just been at Campbell River on Vancouver Island and making similar images along the beaches there - I like the overall feel of this image but I do agree a little with Daniel and Claudio - it would be a stronger image if you had managed to find some foreground element - even a single piece of driftwood or rock - there is one to the right which might have been better framed to achieve this - the other issue for me is the person in the distance - for the impact of this message to really work the person must be more obvious to the viewer - (which in a larger image he might be) - never so easy to photograph such a simple scene . - a very broody shot - I think it would have had more impact here with a white frame.

best wishes Kev

lotis (132) 2006-05-03 13:24

Hi Keith,
I am also commenting after reading your post on the forum.
I actually like this one a lot. I respect danielswalsh and macondo's opinions, but personaly, I like the sky and the absence of everything in the photo. I agree that there should be someone in the photo, in the distance, but close enough so it is possible to clearly see the person.
I like the feeling of distance and of free space in this one.
I don't really know what elso to say. It is mostly a question of personal taste I guess. You can't always make photos that everyone will like. But I like this one and will tell you not to stop making b&w like this, because there will always be people that will enjoy them. And the bottom line is that, unless you are a pro or sell your photos, you don't take pictures for danielswalsh, macondo, KevRyan, Paolo, marinaio or me. There is no perfect way of taking a picture. If you like them, that's what really matters right?
Again, well done.

Best Regards
Louis

Photo Information

Copyright: Ken Alexander (kensimage) (8539)
Genre: Places
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2005-08-16
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS Elan 7, Sigma 12-24 mm EX DG / f:4.5-5.6, Kodak Elitechrome200
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): High sky [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-09-12 10:46
Favorites: 1 [view]