this is an actual whiteboard, used for concepting, brainstorms, etc, but it could just as easily be that of a crazed mathematician, scribbling theories and proofs on into the night... i feel it evokes the feeling/idea of obsession nicely.
Welcome to the Forum!
The image isn't really communicating "Obsession" to me. (maybe it's just me?)
Perhaps you could actually scribble out something specific... like you mentioned: a bunch of algebraic equations, or football plays, or something that communicates obsession with a particular thing. Just an idea.
Good luck,
Carrol
I hear what you're saying - to me personally, i'd rather imply obsession than make it too literal, It would be all too easy to do something really obvious and clichéd with this topic, and I wanted to stay far away from that. I felt as though the endlessly layered, erased, rewritten surface (as it was when i found it) evoked the feeling of genuinely obsessive reworking of one surface. I felt that the fact that this was actually on the whiteboard when I found it gives it a little more authenticity than if I went in and scribbled some algebra on it, erased it, scribbled it, erased it, etc. It's just too artificial/staged for my taste, whereas this is actual documentation of obsessive and repetitive work. But then I think that's just personal preference!
I like this piece very much, not just for the WA but in general. I do understand what Carrol is saying, and an "instant" connection with the image does win out here many times. Personally, I love it the way it is. It gives me a sense of (dark psychosis) for lack of a better term but I'll be the judge of what it means to me. Thank you for giving me that option If I may..? There are two visual elements that pull me back into the real world. The markers are so new looking and maybe leave a cap off one of them, I'm not sure how organized this guy would really be The lighting feels a tad staged for such an emotional piece. Just my personal thoughts. I hope you don't mind. Welcome to the WA! -Mike
Dec 08, 2007 at 01:03 AM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
I agree with Vipermike, this shot has an eery dark tone to obsession that really grabs me. The kind of obsession that drives people to go over and over their plans and still not be satisfied with them. If I could add one thing to Mike's suggestions. I think you could use the eraser to good effect and move it into the shot a bit more. It has for me the same feeling that shot generally provokes. This is a very interesting first image. I hope you continue doing the WA and good luck this week.
I have to say your piece oozes a high sense of emotion and tension. The message of obsession really comes across and I like that. I believe that you have been able to convey your vision well. I also believe that the suggestion you have received here are valid and will only enhance your shot. These comments have come from some of the best participates in this forum. Your shot grabs one from the thumbnail and says come look more closely, that in itself a great feat. Good Luck.
This reminds me of a physics professor, current day, so the markers and the brightly lit white board fits well representing his classroom. This professor is a bit on the neat side and I could easily see him calculating, erasing, calculating, erasing....then covering the markers and leaving. So this image strikes a very clear vision with me. The streaks on the board add to the obsession. I'm sure the other comments to this post would make this very good image even better. Great entry!
thank you all very much for your comments, and for your suggestions!
i really wish i could have had more time last week to try and incorporate some of them... i was pretty busy with work (and holiday preparation of course!), and didn't get a chance to tweak it beyond what i originally put up.
Andrew: you'll be happy to know that the board in question has in fact been cleaned since i took the photo.
If I may..? There are two visual elements that pull me back into the real world. The markers are so new looking and maybe leave a cap off one of them, I'm not sure how organized this guy would really be 
The lighting feels a tad staged for such an emotional piece. Just my personal thoughts. I hope you don't mind. Welcome to the WA! 
-Mike