OK! Let’s talk about the image above. This has been up for a couple of days now.
Maybe I pushed my imagination too far or it is just that nobody likes this image. I know many of you are watching me out there and I can’t help feeling, without seeming pompous and conceited, that those of you that many have viewed this image, did not like it and therefore leave no comment. Fair enough. At this writing, this image has been viewed 14 times and since I have made a few friends here, I figured something is wrong. So let me explain.
This is NOT a close up of a human or animal heart. I did not visit a surgeon friend and take photos of an open heart surgery. This is a close up of a wet petal from a red petunia flower from my garden. I watered the flowers when I came home from work. Later I got the camera out and starting shooting some of my red petunias. This particular one was holding onto the wetness like kelp from the sea and it appealed to me. I liked the texture and the wet look and cropped the original and realized it sort of looked like part of a human heart. Then I looked up a quote about having a heart for others in this life of ours and the rest is history.
I wanted to freak people out a little bit by giving it the title “Heart”. I think that was possibly my first mistake and maybe the freaking out worked too well. So, if I offended anyone, I apologize. If I grossed you out, I apologize again. However, I am totally guessing here as I have had no comments whatsoever. Maybe it’s just a lousy, uninteresting macro.
So, I’m asking, should I delete it? Change the title? If so, what should I name it, The original, uncropped image is below. Or maybe everyone has gone on vacation and I am talking to myself.
The original image below.
Tula Top
No! Don’t delete it. I personally haven’t looked at it simply because I have so much to look at it’s hard to keep up. I do think you might be on to something, though, about leading people to believe this might actually be a biological heart…some people may not have the stomach for such a thing, and the connotation may be too much to overcome despite its aesthetic appeal.
That said, I don’t think you need to apologize for it, but it’s a testament to your thoughtfulness that you offered it anyway. Art’s a fickle thing, I’ve found, and the subtlest of innuendo could ultimately have a butterfly effect on the emotions. Perhaps the name evoked a bit too much freakiness and traipsed into the realm of the macabre for people.
Those are just my thoughts on what went “wrong,” anyway (wrong in the sense that the effect might not have been what you intended, but nothing beyond that). But I also know that I have images that appeal to me that are highly unlikely to appeal to someone else, art being what it is.
On a tangentially related note, would you consider giving this a go in monochrome? I think the textures and tones might lend itself well to something like that.
Whatever the case, I hope you’re not too discouraged by this particular incident. Keep shootin’ and producin’—doctor’s orders. ;)
Tula
Adam Bykowski:
Thank you very much Tula. A quicker and longer response that I expected, I may change the title to something like Wet Petunia Petal or Heart of the Flower. In the meantime, I will play around with this in monochrom per your request. If you think it is worth trying, then I will give it a shot.
Once again, thanks for your input.
Tula Top
Faving this for more exposure, Adam. Hope that’s okay.
Adam Bykowski:
Oh, like I’m going to argue with anyone faving my work. That’s fine Tula. You are really going the extra mile and I appreciate that.
Redviolin
Im glad Tula favourited this …as I had not come across your work….
I tend to agree with his thoughts….or perhaps people are just busy….Ive noticed a lapse in things lately.
I personally love this shot..and the title doesnt put me off at all…..its fantastic , keep up the good work.
Adam Bykowski:
So nice of you to say that and I appreciate your input.
Tula Top
Oh, don’t feel obligated, Adam! It wasn’t a request, just a thought. A Bubbler once challenged/inspired me to produce a mono production, and it ended up working. Now, mind you, I don’t quite have that Bubbler’s eye, but I thought it might offer you an opportunity to explore.
And oops! Forgot to fave the shot myself. I’m with Christine…I love the abstract. :)
sedge808
It’s very beautiful.
Adam Bykowski:
It probably got beautifuller because we now know it is not a human heart. Thanks for the comment.
Tula Top
Haha, I meant I was faving this journal entry to bring it more exposure and feedback. I faved the piece also because, well, it’s a fave! Cheers, my friend. :)
Barbara Brown
Hey my friend! It’s a lovely macro with wonderful texture and color. Things here have been slow for me too. It’s summer here in the northern hemisphere, people busy , on vacation etc. Have had similar experiences. It eventually picks up. Not to worry. You’re do wonderful work.
Adam Bykowski:
Ahhh you’re just saying that. This thing has seen 14 views and no comments until I pulled you guys out of the woodwork. LOL I appreciate you taking the time to comment and glad you like it. Ahhhhh. Summertime in the northern hemisphere. There’s nothing like it. My favorite season.
Hans Kawitzki
Haha,my advise is leave it Adam and don’t delete,its a nice image with great texture and colour,a real eye catcher.
Comments on my images are down to about 5 and by adding my reply (thank you) to it would make it 10,haha :) so don’t give up its summer time in the USA and Europe and people are busy,we might get a better respond in the winter time :)
Adam Bykowski:
I appreciate your giving this image a vote of yes. I think the texture is appealing too. However, the more I think about it, I think I should change the title. I’ll have to ponder that for awhile. Thanks for the input Hans. And viva la summer.
Akkra
LOL you’re alright, I knew it wasn’t really a heart. In my defence Red Bubble barely gets a look in from me these days (busy bee me…ooh that rhymed), but I’m looking now ;D
NO don’t delete it, either version. I am biased towards the uncropped version because I like the leaf shape and the contrast between the colours. Keep ’em both man, trust your auntie Zoe on this one. ;D
Adam Bykowski:
Oh sure you knew it was a heart. LOL OK, I guess I’ll have to believe you. I will listen to my Auntie Zoe and keep it. I’m sorry, but Auntie Zoe sounds weird. I like the contrast on the original, but don’t like the composition and shapes and therefore that one will go bye bye. Thanks for all your input and support.
John Absher
Hey Adam. I’m pretty much aligned with Akkra’s comments … I too have been busy and not monitoring my watchlist so frequently of late, I too am definitely biased to the uncropped version, and I definitely agree with her and all the other RB’ers encouraging you to leave them both posted. I would further encourage you not to let lack of activity at times here on RB discourage you from posting nor stymie your creativity. One of the things I admire about your work is how emotionally, if not spiritually connected you are to it. Don’t let the ebbs and flows of activity and RB participation dampen that creativity.
Adam Bykowski:
I have actually been busy myself getting the house ready for my daughter’s graduation party that we had this past Saturday and finally have been able to get back to some photography in the way of macros of flowers in my backyard. I read your bubblemail by the way and owe you some info. I’ll probably call you this weekend. I appreciate the great comments you have always given me. They are full of extra input than the average, “nice shot” and you always seem to go the extra mile for me when it comes to comments. I’ll keep this sucker and probably change the title. Thanks for the great words on my spiritual connection. I’ll talk to you later.
LeeAnne Emrick
Yeah, hi Adam! I have to admit that I have seriously stopped coming to RedBubble much at all. Selfishly, I suppose, I only upload an image for print purposes and then leave. I have not commented on anyone’s work from my watchlist, and I haven’t even been replying to the comments people leave me. I have been taking classes, on vacation, you name it. That being said, there are websites that I’ve kept up with better. (By the way, if you’re on any other photo sharing sites, please let me know…I’ll probably do a better job of keeping up with you on those!) For many reasons which I will not go into right here (not political reasons either), I’ve let this particular site fall to bottom of my visit list.
Anyway, about your image. Leave it up! I don’t think anyone would look at that and see a human heart, at least I know I didn’t. I saw heart as in “center” or the emotional connotation of heart. It’s a beautiful image, and you shouldn’t be offended that no one is looking at the image. I am pretty sure that only you and maybe one other person may be looking at mine anymore!
Adam Bykowski:
Thanks LeeAnne. I appreciate all of your feedback. I understand your dropping this to the bottom of your list .. sort of. I’ll have to guess why, but this site is not much of a money-maker for me, so I am guessing that could be a reason for you to put it at the bottom. Then again, it is not my business. If you would like to talk about it, send me a BM.
Kevin Skinner
Hi Adam,
I didn’t comment on it because I didn’t see it on my activity list for some reason. Sorry.
There is a general trend here which means things are in decline. I have very few people looking or commenting on my stuff (noticed that over the past year). Don’t take it personally that no one commented on it.
Like the cropped version the best, by the way.
Adam Bykowski:
Actually, not to brag or anything, but things have been fairly active for me. That is why this journal was written. I was getting a few comments on every image I put up within the first day and this one had nothing for three days, so I know something was up. I like the cropped version better too. Thanks for sharing your opinion Kevin. Much appreciated as always.
Tula Top
Sorry to pollute your journal entry, Adam, but I just couldn’t resist commenting on your invitation to LeeAnne to send you a BM. In my medical world, BM means something very, very different.
Oh dear God, at least I HOPE it does!
Adam Bykowski:
HA HA HA! Oh Tula. I like your sense of humor. Of course, I meant Bubble Mail, not bowel movement or whatever else your medical mind can conjure out of it. LOL