Old Master

[Columbarius]

The U3A group has a Still Life theme next month, so I thought I'd have a play. WDYT?

Symbols -1 by Russell Hunt, on Flickr

Symbols -3 by Russell Hunt, on Flickr

[tesarver]

Re: Old Master

For me, the lighting, placement of the items, the smaller candle, work better in the 1st image

Tom

[AlexR!]

Re: Old Master

The first works better for me too, it has better lighting and in the second the bread is too dominating. In terms of placement, the first has the food and musical instruments each grouped together. I presume the bluebell stem is to fix the display to springtime, the owl to signify night time, the food, drink and music for enjoyment of life (but with mouldy cheese classically representing recognition of mortality), the book is learning (for U3A). How have I done? Or am I over-thinking?

[ST-EOS]

Old Master

The first would be my choice as well, it's better lit with a more complimentary selection/placement of objects


Peter

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

[Columbarius]

Re: Old Master

Thanks Tom, Alex & Peter for looking and commenting. I too prefer the first, though I need to do a bit more work on the hot-spot behind the violin.

How have I done? Or am I over-thinking?

Alex you're doing well with your reasoning - here are two explanations of the objects in the image - choose whichever one you feel is most likely!

The art critic’s explanation:
The Owl represents wisdom, and wisdom comes with age, but the Owl also represents the Moon and thus the feminine principle. The Owl is looking at the slices of apple on the plate – female, apple … we’re in the Garden with Eve.
The violin represents music, culture and the classical tradition, the Book, learning.

But if you start to group the objects together you have other allusions.
The bread and the wine represent the Eucharist, and the bell the Sanctus bell rung during communion. Alternatively you could take the bell, book and candle together to represent the exact opposite – excommunication.
The candle on its own represents the spirit, and alludes to the Sanctuary Lamp, left burning in most churches and synagogues to represent the eternal presence of God.

The grapes & wine are a classical representation of birth. The lemon and rich cloth signify wealth.
The cheese is a token of longevity, albeit it is showing its age.
And finally the Bluebell, humility and gratitude – so grateful thanks to all for reading this far.

The pragmatist’s explanation:
All the objects happened to be lying around so they were pulled together in the photograph.

[Tigger]

Re: Old Master

another vote for the first ...but, I like the crop on the second which pulls you more into the subject, but I would also try a vignette with the crop as well

[Columbarius]

Re: Old Master

I would also try a vignette

Good idea, I will.

[chrisec]

Re: Old Master

Yup, the 1st one Russell

[Columbarius]

Re: Old Master

Thanks Chris. Following some of the suggestions I've done a little more photoshopping:

Russell H - Symbols -1 (edit 1024).jpg

Russell H - Symbols -2 (edit 1024).jpg

what do you think?

[Tigger]

Re: Old Master

2nd one, I like the warmer tones in it and feel the composition this time is working better

[Columbarius]

Re: Old Master

Thanks Ian, how's the motor?

[Tigger]

Re: Old Master

Thanks Ian, how's the motor?

a dream to drive, cheers - Wish I'd had it for my last road trip, but planning another in September ;o)

[lunarbo]

Re: Old Master

Of your modified images I prefer the first as that big candle is rather intrusive on the second.

Somehow despite your "art critic's hat" (ha ha) I still can't find a reason for the bluebell.....it looks like a bit of an afterthought.

And should it be red wine or tawny port with the stilton??

We can go on for hours!! To be serious though- is a still life better for having a definite theme so that we can all understand it? Otherwise we could put any pile of poop together and call it Art (yes I know, some do!)

[Columbarius]

Re: Old Master

Hi Bo, thanks for your feedback. As you correctly guessed the "Art Critic" is very tongue in cheek, although each of the objects do (allegedly) carry those associations in classical painting. I nearly ordered a plastic skull on the Internet for only £8

BTW it's Saint Agur (poor man's Roquefort) not Stilton, and it's not really wine either - if I'd opened a bottle I may not have finished the photo-session.

To be honest I'm a bit torn now, the second image came up better than I thought it would, and is "darker" in different ways.

The bluebell though, is another joke (although it does represent humility and gratitude in the "Language of Flowers"), but I don't think that any of us who post our images for the world to see - whether here or on Flickr etc. - are that humble.

On your last point though, it really is difficult to say what is art. I guess if people want to over interpret an image there's little the originator can do other than sit back and watch the money roll in.

[Tigger]

Re: Old Master

I hope you didn't mind me having a play Russell, but when I was thinking dark, I was thinking really darker ;o) ... I've downloaded and hosted it so its not on my flickr account

Just having a jpeg doesn't give me much to play on - but hopefully you can see where I'm going, and probably hate it lol