Helpful Posts Helpful Posts:  0
Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: More lilies

  1. #1
    Camellia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    719
    Real Name
    Raylee

    More lilies

    You may have worked out by now that I love lilies. I always have (think Morticia). I am particularly influenced by Robert Mapplethorpe's flowers (warning: Mapplethorpe is not everyone's cup of tea). Anyway, this is another lily shot that has been inspired by Mapplethorpe.

    More lilies

    Please let me know your feedback.

    Thanks

    R

  2. #2
    jiro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Manila, Philippines
    Posts
    3,804
    Real Name
    Willie or Jiro is fine by me.

    Re: More lilies

    I can only give you one word for my feedback, Raylee... Beautiful!

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Panama City, FL
    Posts
    3,540
    Real Name
    Chris

    Re: More lilies

    Maplethorpe did a lot of photography that wasn't at all "edgy" and his flower series is quite lovely. I've always thought his portrait of Andy Warhol was one of his best.

    Your Lilies certainly reflect his Calla Lilies, quite admirably. I think the only criticism I have is I would like to see the lily on the far right a little smaller and a wee bit lower. I know you need that one for balance but it seems to want to compete with, as much as compliment the setting.

    The lighting is just perfect. Well done, say me.

  4. #4
    Camellia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    719
    Real Name
    Raylee

    Re: More lilies

    Thanks gents!

  5. #5
    Moderator Donald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Glenfarg, Scotland
    Posts
    21,402
    Real Name
    Just add 'MacKenzie'

    Re: More lilies

    The apparent simplicity is its strength. Very well conceived (even though it might have been inspired by another image) and executed.

  6. #6
    Camellia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    719
    Real Name
    Raylee

    Re: More lilies

    Quote Originally Posted by Donald View Post
    The apparent simplicity is its strength. Very well conceived (even though it might have been inspired by another image) and executed.
    Thanks Donald. Not so much inspired by one particular image but the style of Mapplethorpe's work. Have you seen his photos? Stunning B&W. I love them but, like I said, be warned because some people may find them offensive.

  7. #7

    Re: More lilies

    I can only echo what everyone else has said. Beautiful shot. Dare I say it; but I would lose the vase the image does not need it and the composition would be simplified even more. Excellent work


    be warned because some people may find them offensive.
    I am certainly offended.......why didn't you mention him before

    Offence opens the soul of the offended
    Last edited by Wirefox; 9th January 2011 at 12:02 PM.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    3,113
    Real Name
    Wendy

    Re: More lilies

    Beautiful Raylee, and viewed in the Lytebox against black it is even better.

    Wendy

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Shanghai
    Posts
    98
    Real Name
    neil

    Re: More lilies

    very nice flowers, just not sure about the top of the vase... It's a little too strong for me on the edge of a shot like that... either crop or maybe if you took down the highlights on that it would work?

  10. #10
    rob marshall

    Re: More lilies

    Very good, Raylee. But I think the one on the right needs to be closer to the others, and I would take out the vase. I know in Mapplethorpe's he often has a vase or part of a vase, but your just looks as if it's there by accident rather than an essential part of the composition. I did a quick crop, which has also removed some of the space.

    You can get a bit more light underneath (on the stems) by sitting the vase on a white card, which will bounce some of the light back up.

    http://www.mapplethorpe.org/portfolios/flowers/

    More lilies

  11. #11
    JK6065's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    610
    Real Name
    Jeroen

    Re: More lilies

    As I said before, you capture lilies great. Simply stunning.

    Including the vase could be done like this:
    Joel Tjintjelaar's flower studies on flickr. Tjintjelaar's interpretation is also very impressive.

    I'm really inspired by how Mapplethorpe manages to suit the use of light to the subject (especially to pronounce the curves and shapes). There's a very interesting interview on youtube in which he explains he did the flower studies especially to practise his lighting techniques. As controversial as his photographs can be, he captures a sense of beauty and own vision in them that is very rare in the world of photography I think.

    And Raylee, be sure you keep being inspired by the great photographers on this earth. It surely gets you far.

  12. #12
    Camellia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    719
    Real Name
    Raylee

    Re: More lilies

    Quote Originally Posted by rob marshall View Post
    Very good, Raylee. But I think the one on the right needs to be closer to the others, and I would take out the vase. I know in Mapplethorpe's he often has a vase or part of a vase, but your just looks as if it's there by accident rather than an essential part of the composition. I did a quick crop, which has also removed some of the space.

    You can get a bit more light underneath (on the stems) by sitting the vase on a white card, which will bounce some of the light back up.

    http://www.mapplethorpe.org/portfolios/flowers/
    You know exactly what I was trying to do Rob. I always concentrate on the flower in isolation so this time I was trying for something a bit broader. But I agree the vase can go. I'll keep playing with flowers. And you're right - I didn't use anything reflective underneath. I'll try that next time. I'm trying to work out how Mapplethorpe managed to include vases and tables without losing the strength of the flowers.

    JK6065
    Re: More lilies

    As I said before, you capture lilies great. Simply stunning.
    Thanks Jeroen.

  13. #13
    Camellia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    719
    Real Name
    Raylee

    Re: More lilies

    Quote Originally Posted by JK6065 View Post
    As I said before, you capture lilies great. Simply stunning.

    Including the vase could be done like this:
    Joel Tjintjelaar's flower studies on flickr. Tjintjelaar's interpretation is also very impressive.

    I'm really inspired by how Mapplethorpe manages to suit the use of light to the subject (especially to pronounce the curves and shapes). There's a very interesting interview on youtube in which he explains he did the flower studies especially to practise his lighting techniques. As controversial as his photographs can be, he captures a sense of beauty and own vision in them that is very rare in the world of photography I think.

    And Raylee, be sure you keep being inspired by the great photographers on this earth. It surely gets you far.
    Jeroen

    Thanks for sharing the link to Joel Tjintjelaar. He does lovely work. From him, I discovered Imogen Cunningham. According to wikipedia:

    'Imogen Cunningham (April 12, 1883 – June 24, 1976) was an American photographer known for her photography of botanicals, nudes and industry.'

    I'm going to do some research to explore her wonderful photographs.

    Thank you for sharing

    R

  14. #14

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Panama City, FL
    Posts
    3,540
    Real Name
    Chris

    Re: More lilies

    I adore Imogen Cunningham and so will you. She was one of the great "somewhat unknown" masters of photography. While you are giving her a practiced eye, you might want to have a look at Harry Callahan.

  15. #15
    Camellia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Canberra, Australia
    Posts
    719
    Real Name
    Raylee

    Re: More lilies

    Quote Originally Posted by ChrisC View Post
    ... you might want to have a look at Harry Callahan.
    I assume not the one with the 44 magnum

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •