Owens Valley, California, 2007

Richard,

My eye cannot help but to be pulled down to the bottom right corner of the image to that bright white branch in the water. I find it very distracting from the rest of the image.

I'm sure your aware of this, so I'm wondering how you feel about it.

Personally, I would probably spot it out to blend in with the water.

Best,

Ryan McIntosh

Hi Ryan,

I am not certain of what your mean when you say that you are "sure [that I am] aware of this?" do you mean that I am aware that the branch is there? or rather that it is distracting?

I think the brach is what balances the picture. And, I like the way if breaks up the smoothness of the river. Which is similar to the way I use power lines or telephone poles to break up smooth areas of skies.

Also, spotting it in would not be too difficult, but it would take away from the disonant quality that I enjoy in some photographs.

Thanks for your comment though. ~Richard

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www.RichardBoutwell.com

Yes, I meant it in the way that I'm sure you were aware of how it's functioning in the image. I feel that it also does break up the smoothness of the water in a certain way, but it seems to be the brightest area in the whole image, and maybe that is what pulls my eye to that area first.


I look forward to seeing your prints in person in May, because I know how computers and sure screw up the tones in a print.

Best,

Ryan McIntosh