When Pretty isn't Enough

Did anyone see Reichmann's latest article? http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/pretty.shtml

I didn't think the photo was even postcard worthy.

Huh. I think could be an EP., if I were the editor this week - or at least in my top-5 or so. Maybe it just needs to be seen bigger. That fog, swirling around as if connected to the illuminated clouds in soft light. I enjoy it, and more than I do a lot of Reichmann's work. My only critique is a relatively large open spot in the ULC and it doesn't bother me much. Goes to show how different photos can evoke such different responses and emotions from different people.

I like it.. I think. Really there are dark parts that would probably look best in print - but the composition doesn't grab me, but I don't think that is the point... the river of fog is pretty cool and unique....

I think if it got posted here it would get a lot of "nice but not great" comments. A lot of his work is pretty average IMHO. He just has a forum where he can tout it and make it seem better than it is to his adoring fans.

I agree with Mark. I'm not much of a fun of his work and this image doesn't connect with me much. My biggest problem with his work is that he tries to keep the shadows open too much in some shots, making them look unnatural , more of a digital art than photography to me. But than again it seems to be a trend in last few years. Well at the end it is in the Eye of the beholder.

I agree with Mark. It's a postcard for me. Sometimes people call a snapshot art simply because someone of some sort of significance took it.
Take Art Wolfe for example. Sure, he's got some great images. He's done an excellent job of marketing himself. It doesn't mean he is any better than say...David Bostock or Mahesh or Mark Hudon for that matter. They may not have traveled the world like Art, but if they did...I bet they would come away with rivaling images, no doubt.
I'm not taking away from Art's work... (OK, some of his older books are not as good as recent ones)...but if he posted them on this forum, I wouldn't play that game. If I didn't like his image, he'd hear it from me.

I dig the photo, but I wish he would have held the sky down a bit more. I like his work, but some of it is just average to me as well.

I did like the quote: "Why do you take photographs"? His reply was, simply Ð "To see what things look like when they're photographed".

"Now, you may not agree with my assessment. There are no absolutes in art. But, because I take photographs first and foremost for myself, I'm the critic that has to be satisfied. If others agree with my assessment, then so much the better. If not, so be it." - that 'attitude' speaks volumes. Am not as such a fan of Reichmann, but some of his antartica images are just splendid.

Toby Keith wrote a song titled “The Critic” perhaps while you experts are sitting atop your pedestals passing judgment you should listen to it.

True, but he does have an adoring crowd that I'm sure would buy it up in a second for some ungodly price and he knows it.

I thought some of him antartica shot were real nice also. Again though, quite a few seemed like "I am an artist and this is art" shots.

And so goes succesful marketing.

I'm sure anyone who submits portfolios has had this experience: Your favorites aren't selected by the client, while marginal images (in your honest heart-of-hearts opinion) you included to fill out the submission draw raves and sales.

Howcum?

That's the point I read behind the piece. I suspect Reichman selected that particular image to go with the piece simply because he knew it would draw very mixed reviews.

How would the article read if he had used a stone cold killer photo?

interesting point, Hank. Is he that sneaky though?

No pedastal here. All "art" is up to the viewer to decide on. Yes, I am passing judgement, but isn't that our right as the viewer of posted art? I'm not the publisher/editor of any big magazine, or any good photographer in any sort of spotlight. I'm just a hack, with an opinion. I apologize if my opinion offended anyone...as it was not my intention.

I was under the impression this forum was for “constructive critique” not negative opinions

Good point Jim. I guess I crossed the line a bit with some of my comments. I will edit them out.

Oh, heck, if you can't shred on the self proclaimed big boys who can you shred on?

We can post opinions, but Jim is right. A couple of my comments werent written so eloquently. I could have just left it as I didn't think the image was anything special, instead of saying that I wouldn't even buy it if it was a postcard. There was no need for that harsh of comment...even if it was what I thought.

Having read Michael Reichmann's website for a few years now I certainly do believe that he very intentionally picked a marginal image as an example. He's been known to do this to get people thinking along the lines of a given point he's trying to make.

It's far too easy to take pot shots at those who have marketed themselves quite well. Speaking for myself I have nothing but respect for the likes of Art Wolfe and Michael Reichmann. They are both doing what I'd rather be doing instead of sitting here in a meeting at work bored outa my skull!!

They are both doing what I'd rather be doing instead of sitting here in a meeting at work bored outa my skull!!

I'll second that, and raise you two exclamation points!!!
Seriously, all good points. The image didn't grab me, either. But, the article was a good read. I think what he's trying to say but didn't spell out is, "I like this shot (even though most of you don't)." We all have images we're biased towards, even in the face of overwhelming "meh" Sometimes it's the story behind the shot, the composition, or something about the subject. But, it's those shots we love AND everyone else likes that keeps us going. Right?

We all have images we're biased towards...

We also have images we think are quite smelly, yet our audience drools over them... My wife has one of those hanging in the front room. I hate it, but everyone who comes through the front door gushes over it... go figure...

All I can say is, Reichman is making money from photography and I'm testing modern software on Japanese Windows ME *hurl*