-- Mike Green (mgprod@mindspring.com), September 08, 1998

Answers

Here are the specs on the Manatee. I shot it from a canoe in a Florida Panhandle river in a light rain. Nikon F3, nik 180, Kodak Ektachrome 100SW. Probably shot wide open. The manatee was grazing on some grass and came up for air every couple of minutes. I prefocused on a likely spot as she/he came up. Shown full frame, from a Photo cd scan. I didn't do any color corrections and used the default p.shop sharpen.

-- Mike Green (mgprod@mindspring.com), September 09, 1998.

Sorry, but I'd have tossed it out. Does nothing at all for me. I almost deleted it on the grounds of not meeting minimum standards for the forum, but in the past people have amazed me by liking stuff I hated, so let's see.

Sorry to be so hard on it. I've taken my share of similar shots, believe me. I can quite understand how it may be very meaningful to the photographet as a reminder of a unique experience. Maybe it's one of those pictures where you had to be there to appreciate it. Unfortunately nobody except the photographer was.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), September 09, 1998.

On the up side I think the subject is interesting and has a lot of character. It is humorous and funny. On the down side, the photograp lacks technical merit as well as a pleasing composition. Better luck next time.

-- Bhman Farzad (cpgbooks@mindspring.com), September 09, 1998.

The only thing of interest here is the nostrils rising out of the water. These are too small.

-- Paul Lenson (lenson@pci.on.ca), September 09, 1998.

Minimalist compositions, like this one consisting of just a curve (the manatee's body) and an accent point (it's nostrils), are very difficult to create successfully. Yes, there is a bit of humor here since the animal is facing straight toward the photograher (HI!), but the image needs something more to grab interest. It's appealing but easily forgettable.

Nevertheless I think Bob was right to keep it in the forum, since we see so little minimalist or humorous work here. Also, it looks like a good illustration for a children's book on aquatic mammals. The picture makes you want to see more of this seemingly friendly animal.

-- Richard Shiell (rshiell@lightspeed.net), September 09, 1998.