The Old timers will prolly think this sucks

OK, I give up, what's wrong with it?

If you were trying to mimic the 'Mona Lisa' then you didn't make it.  ("Leo's" peers thought his paintings were too slick BTW.)

If you were performing a service then you will have to ask your customer. 

mike

I study art, but only to be differnt.  I don't get the Mona Lisa thing.

Thank you Ed.  I was starting to get depressed around here, until I got feedback.  I'm no WPPI winner for sure, but I'm not sure that is my job.
Hugs, and Smooches,
Cindy

Sorry Cindy, sometimes I am a bit obtuse.

taken form this site...  http://gallery.euroweb.hu/bio/l/leonardo/biograph.html


" The Mona Lisa, Leonardo's most famous work, is as well known for its mastery of technical innovations as for the mysteriousness of its legendary smiling subject. This work is a consummate example of two techniques—sfumato and chiaroscuro—of which Leonardo was one of the first great masters. Sfumato is characterized by subtle, almost infinitesimal transitions between color areas, creating a delicately atmospheric haze or smoky effect; it is especially evident in the delicate gauzy robes worn by the sitter and in her enigmatic smile. Chiaroscuro is the technique of modeling and defining forms through contrasts of light and shadow; the sensitive hands of the sitter are portrayed with a luminous modulation of light and shade, while color contrast is used only sparingly.

An especially notable characteristic of Leonardo's paintings is his landscape backgrounds, into which he was among the first to introduce atmospheric perspective. The chief masters of the High Renaissance in Florence, including Raphael, Andrea del Sarto, and Fra Bartolommeo, all learned from Leonardo; he completely transformed the school of Milan; and at Parma, Correggio's artistic development was given direction by Leonardo's work. "

Some painters at the time didn't like having to compete in a style which was already mastered but not by them.

It was not a dig, I Like your work. 

mike

Love Ya Ed,
No, I might not be a contest winner, but I certaintly don't suck.

  Cindy....Cindy....Cindy!  Bad Girl!  

Just because a guy is old don't mean he has no eyeballs in his head or has no appreciation of new concepts and ideas.  Well- at least speaking for myself. I'm as old as the hills and I don't think your images "SUCK".  Your pictures are exciting, have lots of visual energy, nice use of perspectives and textures and have great sales appeal.  

Believe me- all the old guys certainly don't do anything but enter print competitions and want to replicate the Mona Lisa!  Just check out the work of Helmut Newton, Arnold Newman and Richard Avadon- you can't find older guys- their all dead! Their work, however, ain't dead by any means even their later stuff!

Hay!  What's wrong with racking up some awards AND appealing to your customers- those concepts are NOT mutually exclusive nor is doing classical photography and satisfying your clients.  

If someone wants to find fault with everything and issue harsh critiques one can do so but that is not the way I work.  I like what you have posted here and YES- there are a few images that can use a but more polish but that is not to say anything SUCKS.  When I critique, I do so with the maker's style in mind- I don't want anyone to change their style- I just look for things that would make things better (within that style) and suggest changes of elements that only stand to distract from the statement that the maker wants to make.
Get it?      The mean Ed  >

PS- If you want a C/C just let me know.

I think they are beautiful.  They are edgy and georgeous.  I love them.  If I was going to get married again (not very likely) I would want pics like these.  Great Job.  I only wish I could be as good as you.