Bridge

[HulaMike]

This is my reality. It's the kind of work I exhibit. The word 'Bridge' can have many meanings. What does this image represent to you?

[Swampy]

Nice work Mike.

There's a part that's sensual about it, yet there's another evil part looming in there as well. I'll have to keep looking at that for a while longer though.

This is almost as good as some of the best shots from here. Hey hey. I'm just kidding. It's a great piece. :)

[HulaMike]

Thanks Swampster. Know what you mean. ;) I do get carried away here sometimes. Sorry I'm so outspoken but without passion what's the point??

[Serge]

Hey Mike,

a very interesting image, haven't seen many manipulated ones from you,
the symmetrical mirror image that you have deliberately created, the lighting and the B/W medium probably answer your own question best.
I like it as an image, although I find it disturbing. Like Bryan has pointed out, it has a certain ambivalence.

Your reality is reflected in this symbolism, the bridge being many things as you say. I have always mused that there are as many worlds as people in it, we all percieve reality to be what we experience at the time.

We already have a resident psychologist who could have a field day with this,
I don't like pop psychology, I prefer a friend who sticks closer than a brother (brudda) :)
Of course Job had 3 friends who came to give council too, but that's another story.

[HulaMike]

Couldn't agree more. Thanks serge.

[Bill C]

I really like the image - the symetry, lighting, contast....I find it 'intriguing' - one that I'd stare at for a while, then come back and stare some more.
Regards,
Bill

[HulaMike]

Thanks Bill. Just a simple mirror shot. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. This one seemed to create a believable reality somewhere outside the norm. Whops! There I go again, suggesting there's a commonality in our shared experience! :lol:

[robinp]

Very Strange....

I looked at this for a while and thought "if this was on a gallery wall I'd just walk straight past to the next one"!, not my kind of interest at all.
But, I didn't want to be rude about your efforts Mike as you and other people obviously are drawn to the image so I sliced it to see the original and made a photo I could understand & relate to.
This would be my take on the original scene - suppose we should rejoice in the variety of human nature?
I'll keep looking at your photos Mike, sure I'll see one I like soon ;)

Cheers, Robin

[HulaMike]

:cheers: I'm sure you'll get there somewhere along the way Robin, you're still young. AND you get an A+ for selecting the correct half as the original image. There's hope for you yet. Here's the original.

[robinp]

:cheers: I'm sure you'll get there somewhere along the way Robin, you're still young. AND you get an A+ for selecting th correct half as the original image. There's hope for you yet.
Thanks Mike,

I think photography is one of the few areas of my life where I do feel young (or at least lacking in experience), please forgive my beginner's naievety when I criticise your shots. ;)

Cheers, Robin

[HulaMike]

Tut tut! I love when people offer comments, pos or neg. The only thing that upsets me is when someone dismisses a certain kind of image out of hand. Life's too short to wear blinders, you miss half the fun! So keep your peepers open and join the parade!!

[KeithM]

Figured it was time to post a response on this one - I wanted the image to sink in a bit before putting words to it... ( all very deep I know, just like the image :) )...

The thought that occurred to me was how we view symmetry - our brains I think are wired to get most information out of human faces - which have a rough ( not perfect ) symmetry. Looking at this image is a bit like looking at a face and I see face features - eyes, nose mouth... but it is symmetrical ( have you ever looked at images of faces where one side is flipped over ?? - spooky ! ) - I find this one similarly spooky :)

... but also compelling ! :righton:

Keith. :)

[JPS]

..for me, the very first impression was as though the see was emptying itself into a big hole ! :p
...then I thought that you found a very nice spot to shoot, having a nice and symetric view... :o ...then I realized... :D
...all in all, I find this very attractinve and intriguing (? correct word ?) !
Make me more and more wanting to shoot B/W...
:cheers:

[deMille]

Neat. The image has a lot of draw to it. The static balance bothers but keeps my attention with it. It might be interesting to shift the common center to one side, just to bother us more. Nice job, "bridge" works.

Dale

[bestshot]

It really took me a while before I had my fingers touch the keyboard.... just like Keith, I tried to absorb the "theme" of your subject..... ;)

And quite honestly, I find the image "mysterious" in a way.... don't know if that complimented the "intriguing" word used by the other guys.... :D

Regards,
Dennis

[Face]

I find the image an expresion of the Good, so that kind of atomic explosion that the mirror create on the sky is beautyful, also i wish a lil more contrast at the horizont line its dispear on my eyes , i thought at first look that is all sky :).

Is a good shot and good interpretation of mirror. Nice !

Petrit

[HulaMike]

Neat. The image has a lot of draw to it. The static balance bothers but keeps my attention with it. It might be interesting to shift the common center to one side, just to bother us more. Nice job, "bridge" works.

Dale

Good insight Dale. If you look closely you'll notice that the left is cropped ever so slightly more than the right side. This was intentional to add a little more tension to the overall symetry in the shot. I would have liked to crop more but I would have lost the "point" of the left "bridge" shape.

[t.hanz]

Original, nice lines (converging or de-converging), my eyes are drawn to the "pool" or mouth in the center, would like to see more contrast.
No offense, but this image doesn't move me. I don't see anything wrong with it, it just doesn't grab my attention. It resembles the type of effect you might see in the backdrop of a Salvadore Dali in his surealistic paintings or montauges (which should be considered a compliment).
I cannot speak to the duality of man or wax philosophically about bridges, at least not untill my 2nd pint :cheers:

Todd

[HulaMike]

I find the image an expresion of the Good, so that kind of atomic explosion that the mirror create on the sky is beautyful, also i wish a lil more contrast at the horizont line its dispear on my eyes , i thought at first look that is all sky :).

Is a good shot and good interpretation of mirror. Nice !

Petrit

Thanks again for all your comments.

Petrite, I'm glad you noticed the 'atomic explosion' shape of the clouds. I thought of them as some Spielberg-like approaching alien cloud formation, the bridge maybe the mother ship. What's funny is that I didn't see this happening in the original shot. Like all Art, you often don't know where you're going till you get there.

Todd, none taken. That's a fair statement. If I made you stop for a second that's enough. I appreciate your feedback.