July 02, 2004
Lily Redux
I'd argue that a thing that distinguishes artists from dabblers is the will and vision to try again. That Mike took down this lilly's predecessor in the face of withering criticism from some anonymous blowhard can be better understood in light of his subsequently posting this sibling companion piece.
It's a much better image. Not, perhaps, in the immediate company of his absolute best, but the light gilds this lilly nicely, especially on the "alien spermatozoa" to the right, which are rendered wonderfully textural and graceful by whatever careful glow he devised in which to bathe them. As is the eloquent curl arching over them -- rich textures ands colors, and the overall composition is much better balanced both spatially and tonally.
The lilly, oddly, is less three-dimensional than the buds, which detracts somewhat, for me, and that rigid spike of a [stamen?] is unexpected -- arguably jarring -- visual energy. But even though it launches one's "eye" into orbit out of the frame, one re-enters on the slope of that sweet upper curl, back to the buds, and then the whole again. And bless him for braving a dewdropless image for a change!
A cynic would suspect some saturation manipulation, and one is disappointed, even suspicious, of the lack of a link to an enlarged version, but as Mike himself has often pointed out, (in wanton paraphrase) a thumbnail tells the whole tale, the rest is merely details.
Posted by good lookin'.I liked this even better in pink.
Although the contrast was less striking, the lily has its own presence and direction, like a strong hand shake.
Posted by Michael at July 2, 2004 06:46 AM
I'd argue that a thing that distinguishes artists from dabblers is the will and vision to try again. That Mike took down this lilly's predecessor in the face of withering criticism from some anonymous blowhard can be better understood in light of his subsequently posting this sibling companion piece.
It's a much better image. Not, perhaps, in the immediate company of his absolute best, but the light gilds this lilly nicely, especially on the "alien spermatozoa" to the right, which are rendered wonderfully textural and graceful by whatever careful glow he devised in which to bathe them. As is the eloquent curl arching over them -- rich textures ands colors, and the overall composition is much better balanced both spatially and tonally.
The lilly, oddly, is less three-dimensional than the buds, which detracts somewhat, for me, and that rigid spike of a [stamen?] is unexpected -- arguably jarring -- visual energy. But even though it launches one's "eye" into orbit out of the frame, one re-enters on the slope of that sweet upper curl, back to the buds, and then the whole again. And bless him for braving a dewdropless image for a change!
A cynic would suspect some saturation manipulation, and one is disappointed, even suspicious, of the lack of a link to an enlarged version, but as Mike himself has often pointed out, (in wanton paraphrase) a thumbnail tells the whole tale, the rest is merely details.
Posted by: good lookin'at July 2, 2004 06:44 PMI liked this even better in pink.
Although the contrast was less striking, the lily has its own presence and direction, like a strong hand shake.