Blackbird on Redbud Tree

Lovely, Barb Pflaum. It does have a painterly look. Regardless of how you created it, it was what you selected as the image you wanted to post. I like it.

The directive I see immediately below this comment window is as follows:

Enter your comments below. Please include comments on what you like about the photo and what you think can be improved.
If the photographer has requested specific feedback, please be sure to provide it:

As "specific feedback" is indicated, I'll comment on what I like about the photo and what I think can be improved .

But, strictly speaking, it's not a "photograph", though I think we will agree it is derived from one. Semantics aside, what I see here, or rather fail to see, is a "black bird", roughly in the center of the image. What I do see is the silhouette of what appears to be a black bird, sort of an empty "color-hole" in a sea of otherwise bright colors.

What is purported to be a "black bird" here is really the opposite: the absence of a black bird; as if one had carefully cut out the image of the bird with a very shape pen-knife and then presented the print on black paper with the paper showing through where the bird had been.

What is missing, here, is the subject; the black bird. It is empty of that subject. And therein lies the magic of it.

To get back to the directive immediatly above the window I'm typing into, what I like about the "photo" is that it has this amazing contrast between a dream-like level of color, anticipating a Spring-wood, but with that anticipation missing the image of a black bird; indicated only by its absence; its total lack of color in the midst of this sea of color.

As to what can be improved, I have looked into this image for a long time trying to answer that question, and I cannot really come up with anything to say; except a crazy idea I had: Maybe use photoshop to put a bright catchlight where the eye of the missing bird might be. If this were my image, I would definitely do that; but it is not my image; I'm just looking at it.

So, I think I have satisfied all of the requirements of the directive.

In postscript, though, I will add that this image reminds me of how Joni Mitchell sung of feeling like a black crow flying in a blue sky. I would like to think this is how that bird came to rest, on a branch in a multicolored forest.


















Given your directives,

You know, I had this whole schpeel (sp?) written out, but changed my mind once I read it posted!!
It's a lovely image as is, and while I feel that the purples in the foliage draw in the viewer, the somewhat centered blackbird cannot be overlooked, and the eye eventually DOES rest there.
As a photographer, I would only suggest that you burn in the corners & edges a bit. That a sure way to help draw in the viewers' eyes better to the center area. And you also might possibly want to consider a tighter crop.
But, as is, I think you accomplished what you set out to do, and it is perfectly fine (and attractive) the way it is.

Lovely!!

Barb, I love all the beautiful colors in this image. I am very fond of Topaz Simplify myself. It amazes me what it can do to the right image. I think I might prefer a crop on the left side of the image to remove the left tree trunk, but I'm not sure. It would be interesting to check it out if you have not already.

Wow, the 'topaz simplify' really works well here Barb.
I especially like those vivid contrasting colors, and single blackbird center.
Great comp - Well done!

Barb. I like the feel of the light here and absence of said bird. Your treatment works for me as photo art.

Love the painterly look and beautiful colors in this image. Very nice.

Count me in as another fan of Topaz Simplify, and this is one beautiful picture! It's interesting the way sometimes an object can be in the center of a picture, but the overall context is such that this isn't disturbing; it doesn't detract from the picture or make it "boring." This is one of those pictures. The asymmetry of the tree effectively offsets the fact that the bird is centered.