Here is a glimpse of "Starbuck" my two-year-old corn snake. I hope you enjoy this replacement shot. There is a slightly larger version in my gallery. Thanks for stopping by.
As usual your shot is beautifully lit, but this one doesn't really do it for me. For me it looks staged and three things don't work for me. First the texture looks like fabric rather than fur. Second the angle of the chain doesn't seem natural, and third the neck doesn't have the musculature one would expect. So unless you are going for something ironic that I missed (which is certainly possible), then this one doesn't do it for me. I feel weird even saying anything. I love your work and it is consistently fantastic, so who am I to point out anything to you? This one, however, doesn't seem to be up to your usual standards. It just looks like a beautifully lit stuffed animal with a collar. I hope you don't mind my being blunt.
Hey Steve! Don't ever hesitsate to cretique my work. Don't let me try and get away with anything. This can only help. I count on you guys to help me strive to do the best I can. I appreciate your honest response. I definatly had resorvations about it as well. I like the concept but without a real cat of this nature, I don't see this approach ideal using a dog blanket stuffed with t-shirts. The original idea was to be the neck of a dragon. I have some other unformed ideas floating around in my head for this assignment. I'll leave this as a place holder for now and we'll see what happens. I never know what to expect and that is half the fun. Thnks again buddy!
Mike, I have to say that I had similar thoughts that Steve has stated. For more realism I think that a 'straining at the leash' pose with the lead at about 45 degree angle backwards and the collar indented into the neck would be good. Great lighting as usual.
Great shot, Mike, my friend! (So what else is new?) Typical brilliant Vipermike lighting. Someday soon, I'm coming over to see how you do these. Starbuck is beautiful! She (he?) makes a lovely abstract.
Warm regards,
Endre
Nov 23, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Steve Spencer Offline Upload & Sell: Off
This shot is gorgeous and I love the sense of apprehension you have created by showing less of the snake. Just like a good horror film director what you don't show is often much more compelling than what you show. Gorgeous lighting as well, but that is a given with all your shots.
Strad wrote:
Great shot, Mike, my friend! (So what else is new?) Typical brilliant Vipermike lighting. Someday soon, I'm coming over to see how you do these. Starbuck is beautiful! She (he?) makes a lovely abstract.
Warm regards,
Endre
Hi Endre! I too like the abstract feel it presents. Thank you.
This shot is gorgeous and I love the sense of apprehension you have created by showing less of the snake. Just like a good horror film director what you don't show is often much more compelling than what you show. Gorgeous lighting as well, but that is a given with all your shots.
Best wishes,
Steve S.
Hi Steve, Everything you stated (apprehension) was the approach in this shot. Thank you for seeing that. I appreciate it.
DaveNitsche wrote:
It looks like a top lip. That was the first thing that came to mind. Great lighting as always Mike. Love it...
Ya, I saw that too but I couldn't get myself to call it "Lip". hee hee. I do like the sensual natural flow of her shape in this. It kind of off sets the fact that she is a snake
Now we are back. This is exceptional. The original was cool, but forced to me. This one stands strong like the Mike we all know (not saying that the other didn't)