Libby - Knotted Up

Stunning work Ian. Lovely composition and tones. If there was one thing I would change, it would be to extend the velvet cloth she is sitting on to fill the lower portion of the frame. It would help isolate and anchor the composition more.

In trying to describe my reaction to this image ....
I've got it: VOOOF!!!!
Uh ... er ... pretty damned good work there, Ian!!

This one is superb and lovely tones... as usual.

Ian, lovely, lovely work. Once again I am struck by awe what you're able to do with your talent and process. Seems like you have a fantastic relationship with your model Libby.
It appears that in most shots you use the backdrop and the fabric cloth to signify boundary. I remember a shot you made of the model looking down outside the edge of the cloth she sat on, and she was considering her own reflection in still water or a mirror. I get the feeling that this time the fabric symbolizes a shore or a beach.
You have many times before, and this time again, reminded me how much I want to delve into doing figure work. This is awesome!
- Thomas

Thanks Thomas. I'm very fortunate to have found Libby. Not only is she very beautiful, but she's also great to work with, has endless patience while I mess around with my 10x8 or lighting, and is a good conversationalist to boot. I firmly believe that figurative work needs effective collaboration to be successful. This photo is an example of this which is more about Libby than me: she was waiting for me to do something or other, and when I turned around she had her fingers in her toes like this. All I did was recognise something special. It's a composition we've worked on during 3 or 4 sittings in different way, but at last I think we've got it cracked.

And thanks Andrew, Ed and Guillaume also.

This is great, Ian.

Nothing to dislike really. They are fine feet and hands, well taken. What does intrigue me however is that another photog has taken "Tremendous Feet" only a few shots ago and his got no comments until mine.

I wonder what explains the difference? Essentially they are feet as well, albeit in a slightly quirkier setting which amused me.

The difference in volume of comments in the gallery often amazes me.

pentaxuser

Ian, this is wonderful. The shapes, tones and position of the fabric are spot on. There is a really intriguing quality to composition of this picture that draws me in - it has that all important 'mystery' quality that seperates something good from something really special. This is another wonderful picture to add to a consistently impressive portfolio.

Cheers,
Gavin

Pentaxuser's comment was of great interest to me. I also pondered the difference in responses to the two "feet" photos. I once submitted a relatively prosaic shot of trees in fog and received 18 comments. Other images that I've posted, and felt were far superior to that one, have received few or none! Eye of the beholder, I guess...