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Senex-de-Umbris [2012-09-17 13:23:57 +0000 UTC]

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Dear KrisVlad,

first of all, we all can agree on what a wonderful motive this is - however, almost nothing in this world is perfect.
But first things first.

As for what I like about this, I have to congratulate you on this wonderful, wonderful motive and I tip my hat to you - when in a lifetime do you get to see such a thing? The fact that the beach is all clear and smooth, even, devoid of anything is simply stunning - where in the world do you have beaches like that?
I don't think I need to say anything about those colours - sunsets are always beautiful. Here, I especially like how you can see dark ink stains of faraway clouds close to the water's surface, blurring the line between horizon and ground, and how a golden-pinkish hue is reflected in the water - what was naturally there and what you added, both is wonderful.
The chair, the supposed center of this piece, is an interesting thing - for once, it is standing with it's legs in the water, and the slightly shattered reflection is perfectly timed. This piece of furniture adds a lot of character, be it bittersweet, melancholic, happy or relaxed - it's hard to nail down, where we come to the not so praiseful part.

While I admire the motive, I still feel like this photograph has a certain... lack in it. The thing is, looking at this piece, I think it is a wonderful motive with an interestingly placed piece of outdoor furniture. But does it touch me? Sadly, it doesn't. I don't feel anything looking at this, no sadness, no relaxing feelings, no happiness, no thoughts coming to mind - there is no impact, no power.
Now, don't take me wrong - of course I understand the aesthetic wish to let the motive do the work and stun your viewers. But this picture seems almost too much visual and too less... something, though it is certainly outstanding.
If I may make a suggestion, I would try and see how this piece works as a panorama picture - you know, just a length of sunset beach, with this chair in the center, but not a sky that is as high as this. This sky may be the "too much"; cropping it down a bit might help with the power of this picture, focusing and by thus multiplying it's great potential to be absolutely flawless. Metaphorically spoken, it just needs a good cup of skill-coffee (which you are the rich provider of) to wake the magic inherent in this.

Other than that, I like the surreal, dream-like effect this piece achieves. And, of course, the brilliantly timed moment you took for taking this picture.

In conclusion: I really like the idea and the motive; the colours are breathtaking! However, this piece is like a raw diamond: the magic needs to be put out more carefully. And for someone with your talent and potential, I have absolutely no doubts that you will work that out, and make this truly mind-blowing.

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FaerieBert [2012-09-05 15:25:25 +0000 UTC]

Overall

Vision

Originality

Technique

Impact

You mentioned in a comment that you did not like this when you first took it, although you do like it now. I am very happy you do, and I wanted to share with you why I love this photo so much.

First, that chair. It is perfect. The shape, the design, the placement, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I feel that the chair tells a story, and it's up to the viewer to decide what that story is. Is it a story about joy and relaxation? Or a story of pain and loss? I know a lot of people will say that you shouldn't center your subject, because that tends to make boring photos. I am glad that you did, because it forces the viewer to look beyond the beauty and to really take in the photo, and its story, as a whole.

Second, the beach. Where on earth did you find this magical gem? The beach is perfect, it's smooth, silky and wonderfully flat. I love that there is nothing on the beach, no rocks, no shells, not even ripples in the sand. The beach is a perfect backdrop for you subject, and I think the glassy reflections and purity of the beach really help the chair in telling it's story.

Third, the colors. I have not seen many beach sunsets, so I don't know if the colors are natural or enhanced. Either way, they are perfect. The dying warmth of the sun is beautifully shown in the sky, ocean and beach. It is slowly giving way to the velvety darkness of the night. I love how the shadows are slowly creeping in at the edges, gently wrapping the photo with their wonderful mystique.I also think the colors have just the right amount of saturation. They are not so bright that they distract the viewer, just bright enough to draw the viewer in gently.

Overall, this photo is wonderful. I probably read way more into it then you intended, but maybe not. The photo just really draws me in, and I could sit here all day daydreaming about all the different stories it could be trying to tell me. That, dear sir, is what makes this photo a success and you a true artist. The ability to take something so simple as a chair and a beach, and turn it into a piece of art that is impossible to look away from. Well done!

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Johhy55 [2013-08-20 09:06:24 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous!

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vintageKreuzberg [2013-06-12 09:45:37 +0000 UTC]

no comment! - just sitting or standing and gathering to the horizon, to that beneath my feet and to inside of myself what's behind the glasses - "if you can read my mind, why must I speak" (Bob said this)

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Lmomjian [2013-04-13 04:09:46 +0000 UTC]

wonderful

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Vierasaine [2012-12-25 01:43:53 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work!

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GaurdianDragon [2012-11-12 22:01:10 +0000 UTC]

I love this pic, its awesome!! Great work!! I love the colors in it and the contrasting is beyond measure The chair in the middle givs it such a cool feel, I get something along the lines of memmories of a loved one from it. Nice work!!

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Shirazuki [2012-10-08 02:27:56 +0000 UTC]

I don't know how to say this... but this picture has some kind of emotion in it. love it!

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Astrikos [2012-09-19 20:35:46 +0000 UTC]

This is a really lovely piece, Kris. The colors are really lovely and the wide angle is appealing. The silhouette looks nice as well.
The piece looks really opening, and is gentle and warming to the eyes.

However, I recommend playing around with the cropping just a little.

Otherwise, lovely work!

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Markus43 [2012-09-11 14:08:15 +0000 UTC]

Bravo!

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NorthOne [2012-09-08 23:17:18 +0000 UTC]

Nice.

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Shasta-Rose [2012-09-07 21:31:22 +0000 UTC]

This is really beautiful.

First of all, the background. The colors are incredible! Orange-yellow and deep blue with black... the starkness of the combination makes it both serene and somehow exciting to me. The reflection all the more makes it extraordinary. This is captured so beautifully well.

Next is your foreground... very interesting. This piece is so much more interesting with something in the foreground. For some reason I don't feel like I would be as blown away if there weren't that chair there... I am not sure why. And the chair also has a great shadow, making it almost like a tunnel if you look at it in some ways.

It's very hard to find an area to critique in, partially because I have very little experience with photography whatsoever, and partially because this really is well-done. One thing maybe you could do is play a little bit with cropping and see if different proportions might highlight the horizon more. At the same time, I don't want to exclaim, "Center the horizon!" because centering something both horizontally and vertically might look artificial. I don't know. But you could play around with cropping out a little bit of the sky if you think there's anything at all flawed in this.

Thank you so much for sharing!

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Frenchy287 [2012-09-07 21:21:26 +0000 UTC]

this is so beautiful!! I love that the chair is being reflected into the water

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hefeigal [2012-09-06 20:46:36 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful! The orange blends beautifully with the blue, and the reflection of the chair on the sand is gorgeous.
You captured the silky texture of the water very well, and the angle is perfect.
Honestly, this is one of the most beautiful pictures I've seen on dA. Fantastic.

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SunShiny-Sunflower [2012-09-06 15:13:37 +0000 UTC]

Love the horizon, beautiful landscape.

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BrookeKobra [2012-09-05 19:56:46 +0000 UTC]

This is gorgeous, there's so much in this photo that I want to just stare at all day. Where was this photo took? I'm just amazed at the beauty and the eye for this shot.

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forest-goddess [2012-09-05 19:17:12 +0000 UTC]

Wow! That is definitely an amazing shot! Your idea with the chair was very creative and original. But I think what I like most is how all those colours are softly blending.

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