Not the staturesque beauty of Mike's post, but something reminded me of this, so a few days ago I put it into pdn's folder section, since I'm still behind the eightball on a site of my own. If anyone can get this link free, much abliged:)

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=484125&size=lg

ps, she's very beautiful (see others in that folder of her), just kind of a shortie...like me:)

-- shawn (seeinsideforever@yahoo.com), December 25, 2001

Answers

i meant 'link-free' as in on site, I mean as in 'on-site'

oi-vay

-- shawn (seeinsideforever@yahoo.com), December 25, 2001.

-- Santa's Helper (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), December 26, 2001.

Thanks Elfie:)

-- shawn (seeinsideforever@yahoo.com), December 26, 2001.

Shawn, a very nice shot. I like how she seems to be caged.

-- Gerry Widen (gwiden@alliancepartners.org), December 27, 2001.

I have a hate/love relationship with this photo. Wish the position of the fence and model were reversed. This seems to be the canary in a glided cage icon. Personally, I don't think height matters all that much with a photo. The thing that binds this model and Dixon's model together is how naturally sexy they both are, apparently without even trying, and that they're both confined within space, within a photograph. They just have IT, and both of you are lucky to have these models posing for you. This photo looks cropped, and I don't particurially like the cropping. I feel it weakens the photo. If it is to be cropped, I think the lower rail should go. I'd like to see the hands. Mike Dixon's shot, for instance uses the arms and hands to accentuate the feeling of confinement. Also, I think the top rail is ill placed. It cuts the models face in half in a most unseemly way. The eye is effective, in that the flow of the photo seems to draw me to it. From my point of view, when looking into the face of a beautiful, sexy, young woman, the two things that draw me, are the eye(s) and mouth. Here, we see a little bit of lip showing (weak) below the rail, that distracts me from the strengths of the "Canary in a Gilded Cage."

With much respect for your work, Glenn Travis

-- Glenn Travis (leciaddict@hotmail.com), December 27, 2001.

Hands are something I've just learned in photography as essential most of the time, in the last couple of years. This was from an old shoot with Barbara, and it is about 3 1/2 years old.

I agree with your assessment, and the thing that I find frustrating is, I did so much photography back then, was so in tune, with learning, and having that incomparable initial 'something'...but most of the time I just didn't pay attention to more than the trunk and the head of the model, and the angles and gestures therein. Often I'd get fingers, hands, whole arms or legs cut off in a way that ruined the pic. In this case, I also agree, would have like to see her holding the bar or something; that might have led to a defined space in the upper portion I feel is missing myself (like it just keeps shooting UP).

Thanks Glenn:)

ps yes, cropping, I've oten felt is my weakest ability.

-- shawn (seeinsideforever@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.

I've looked at this one several times to let it sink it, and I've decided it just doesn't work. Aside from the details, the general mood just doesn't seem right. Her posture and what I can see of her expression look relaxed, and that's inconsistent with her being "trapped" in a confined space behind the bars.

It might work better if she were simply leaning back against the wall and looking away from you (giving a sense of indifference), but by having her hold the gate it emphasizes that she's confined. Having her grip the bars at various locations and adjust her facial expressions, you could give either a sense of vulnerability (and fear) or a sense of defiance.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), December 27, 2001.