History of Marriage, by today's standards, appears to be a disposable commodity... Here I define the stages a couple go through via movie titles.. First there is the fantasy to reality stage ( Virtuosity )... Second is the commitment stage ( Blood Diamond )... Third is The risk / the gamble ( 21 )... Next is the mystery, discovery stage ( X Files )... Then Hard times, reality, bills, children, stress ( The Departed ) And finally The big "D" ( Crash )... This image is intended to provoke thought.. What do you see?? Your comments are always welcome... Thank you
Interesting concept with the movie titles, but I find the other props in the shot dilute the message and distract. The Logan's bucket and M&M guy and Sunflower just don't fit and the sunflower by virtue of its size and dominant position is too much of a focal point.
The focal point should be the man & wife figures. They would be easier to relate to if both were facing more up into the camera full face and if the color balance were more normal. To enhance the "this was the road of marriage now behind us" message you might want to consider very shallow DOF where they and the red box with LOVE on it is sharp but the DVDs are slightly OOF as if foggy memories. Here's a quick edit to show what I mean...
cgardner wrote:
Interesting concept with the movie titles, but I find the other props in the shot dilute the message and distract. The Logan's bucket and M&M guy and Sunflower just don't fit and the sunflower by virtue of its size and dominant position is too much of a focal point.
The focal point should be the man & wife figures. They would be easier to relate to if both were facing more up into the camera full face and if the color balance were more normal. To enhance the "this was the road of marriage now behind us" message you might want to consider very shallow DOF where they and the red box with LOVE on it is sharp but the DVDs are slightly OOF as if foggy memories. Here's a quick edit to show what I mean...
Chuck; Thank you.. Although I agree with you I feel the need for clarification.. The Sunflower is a representation on youthful anticipation.. Everything is sunny, so sunny I need shades.. These, of course, obscure the sun presenting the real world.. The beads, Logan's, and MM represent the courtship.. The "No trespassing" sign is abstinence, truly a lost concept in today's society.. The movie titles were enhanced to indicate how our life's are dominated by the things around us.. The Man & woman are separated by that which drew them together.. Love is intentionally obscured and brightened to symbolize the love of things more than the desire for family.. Finally the couple are not facing each other, or the camera, to simulate loss of focus, purpose, foresight.. The concept of "Family" is no longer understood.. Materialism rules..Love replaced by desire.. longevity by liquidity.. Now you understand the inter workings of a "Clockwork Orange" mentality..
I like the idea. But in my opinion (money-back guarantee here), the overall pic just looks cluttered.
A suggestion might be to take several images w/ the same dolls, 1 for each stage that you mentioned. You might even give him a receding hairline, her some crow's feet & laugh lines, both a few extra pounds, to show the passing of time.
Nikon_14 wrote:
I like the idea. But in my opinion (money-back guarantee here), the overall pic just looks cluttered.
A suggestion might be to take several images w/ the same dolls, 1 for each stage that you mentioned. You might even give him a receding hairline, her some crow's feet & laugh lines, both a few extra pounds, to show the passing of time.
I see your point & will give it a try.. Thank you.
It's like a good inside-joke. In this case, it's a case of "a picture along with a short description is worth a thousand words". As such, I like it. On this site, however, I think it gives a lot of critics a deer-in-the-headlights response, as they're used to evaluating photos as "stand-alone" pieces. Yours is a conceptual work that is completely ambiguous or obscure without the accompanying words. It won't work in a photo contest; nevertheless, for those who understand its intended meaning, and who share your sense of humor, it can give many smiles.
JGrindeland wrote:
It's like a good inside-joke. In this case, it's a case of "a picture along with a short description is worth a thousand words". As such, I like it. On this site, however, I think it gives a lot of critics a deer-in-the-headlights response, as they're used to evaluating photos as "stand-alone" pieces. Yours is a conceptual work that is completely ambiguous or obscure without the accompanying words. It won't work in a photo contest; nevertheless, for those who understand its intended meaning, and who share your sense of humor, it can give many smiles.
I am honored that you chose this image for your first post.. Welcome.. I agree with you totally.. I have found over the years you can stir the hornets nest when you post an ambiguous / interpretive image.. One has to do something to prevent senility..
Marriage, as life itself, is a mixture of positive and negative experiences, although such experiences come in different proportions in different instances. I can fully understand how those sunflower, MM, and the beads represent the joy, the opportunities and the promises surrounding marriage. However, to represent the hardship, the heartbreak, the envy and such negative aspects, it would have been better to use some objects other than mere DVD packets, some objects that symbolize such experiences. Good work though!
Chumma wrote:
Marriage, as life itself, is a mixture of positive and negative experiences, although such experiences come in different proportions in different instances. I can fully understand how those sunflower, MM, and the beads represent the joy, the opportunities and the promises surrounding marriage. However, to represent the hardship, the heartbreak, the envy and such negative aspects, it would have been better to use some objects other than mere DVD packets, some objects that symbolize such experiences. Good work though!
Thank you.. My wife objected to my using a copy of our monthly expenditures, a wine bottle, and a spent shell case.. Again, thanks..
Cool idea indeed, but without the explanation, what does the picture really say? I know what you're thinking inside but how can you show what you're thinking without using the words to tell us your thoughts?
Mohaimen Kazi wrote:
Cool idea indeed, but without the explanation, what does the picture really say? I know what you're thinking inside but how can you show what you're thinking without using the words to tell us your thoughts?
Thank you.. I agree with your analogy and will endeavor to perceiver
