Comments on: Cropping suggestions for Queen’s Day picture?

By: June

June — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:06:04 +0000

The contrast between the blue cloth and the white conveys two different “feelings” to me. The white makes the image seem cooler, more dispassionate, slightly more distanced from the subject matter. The blue invites us to fall in love with the materials. Does anyone else see this change?

From Hanneke’s remarks, I suspect she might want the more involved feeling.

And Hanneke, I liked your comment about the fruit and its quiet resonance — “seeds for the future.” You said it perfectly.

By: Karl Zipser

Karl Zipser — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:20:34 +0000

Also magenta, right?

By: Leslie Holt

Leslie Holt — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:06:28 +0000

Woah Steve, These color manipulations are so interesting to look at! I love this painting, in its original state and with a blue cloth. Of course I am a sucker for a good cake painting! Very lush and delicious!

what is the size? Size matters, you know… :)

By: Karl Zipser

Karl Zipser — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 17:23:44 +0000

Steve,

I realize that from a technical standpoint, the photo manipulation is simple. I am not astonished by the technology so much as by the visual result itself. I think you made an attractive choice of colors. Again, I’m not sure that is the goal, but it is pleasing to see.
Interesting to see how the white cloth was receptive to this sort of “digital” glazing. I imagine you could make any cloth like a white cloth first.
Hanneke has been looking at the image and she finds it beautiful. Too hectic here for her to focus on writing at this moment . . .

By: Karl Zipser

Karl Zipser — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 15:57:46 +0000

Steve,

You are exactly right about the large orange thing. But whether it is a flaw or a key to the picture is a mystery.

When I saw your montage, I said, “Wow!”

I don’t know what I think of it, in terms of the painting and it’s message. As a sudden new vision of the painting, it knocks my socks off. I’m speechless (in a good way!)

By: birgit

birgit — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 15:48:12 +0000

I would not change anything about the picture. It is so perfect in the clash of the shimmering whites and greys against the orange desert. The orange in the cup is calming.The blue in the dish is lovely

Having said that the picture is perfect, I also want to say that it makes me feel a little ill. When I was a small child, my father took me to a Kondittorei and bought me a very sweet cake with whipped cream which made me sick. I still don’t feel well if I eat too much sweet today (I don’t have diabetes). Looking at the picture, I would like one of those wonderful German pickles.

Thus, the picture is amazing. It so so perfect that it evokes strong likes and dislikes.

By: Steve Durbin

Steve Durbin — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:37:15 +0000

Karl,
I notice that same unease you feel, but I hadn’t thought about it since you framed the post as a cropping question. The orange, so strong, is not just as accent but a large area of the subject, and there’s nothing to balance it. You had the idea of changing the background, but I didn’t see an easy, plausible way to do that. Just to see what might happen, I tried changing the foreground, i.e. the tablecloth, to a blue similar to the napkin in the purple grapes painting. The crude result is here.

I think that does have some calming and balancing effect, but I’m not at all sure I like the picture better. What do others think? Whether or not you like the change, does making a comparison this way help your appreciation of the painting, or is it pointless desecration?