Broken Wine Glass Reworked...Twice

[Mike Buckley]

When I posted this photo, some people recommended providing space on the right side of the pile of small pieces of glass rather than anchoring them to the frame. Others recommended cleaning up the right side by using fewer pieces, allowing individual shapes to be displayed. So, I've completely reworked the photo with each solution in mind.

I'll explain my thought process for each rework so you know my intentions. Is it likely that my intentions would speak to you through the images themselves if I hadn't provided the explanations?

NOTE: Please view the images in the Lytebox to get the impact of the tiny, tiny pieces of glass laying about. EDIT: Matt feels so strongly about that that he also mentioned it.

Rework #1
You might think this rework really isn't a rework because it simply uses a larger crop. Not at all. The tabletop in my makeshift studio is so small that it doesn't allow for a larger crop. Instead, I had to remove some of the glass on the right side to allow for space on that side, which is easier said than done. I'll be very surprised if I didn't scratch my black acrylic tabletop in the process.




Rework #2
When I cleaned up the right side and also allowed space there that is in the first rework, the image seemed too staged, not chaotic enough. So, I cropped the right side to imply that the broken pieces of glass have exploded to the right, yet using a crop that also emphasizes the interesting (dare I say artistic?) shapes of the shards and their reflections. Cropping on the right side then required cropping on the left side to provide the balance that glass on both the right and left sides is anchored to the frame.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Mike,

What you've done here in these two reworks is a big improvement. Each version has its own strong points (and nothing negative that I can think of).

While I agree that the first shot seems staged, you've done everything so well that the thought doesn't bother me. The "balance" of the shot is excellent, and there is the right amount of breathing room around all of the elements.

Shot two is nice in its own ways. It does seem more "realistic" or "random," and the "energy" of the shattering event can be felt more through the further spaced out shards on the right, and is enhanced by the left and right crop. In other words, there is a lot of tension portrayed through what you have done, which is nice. Something interesting is that, I almost never like photos where the subject is cropped off the sides like this, but in this case it works very well for me.

If I was forced to decide which I prefer, I would have to say the first shot works better for me. Final interesting thought: At the smaller sizes, these photos are OK for me, but don't do much to move me. On the other hand, it's a complete 180 for me when viewed full size. Wow, these are so sensational when all of the details and tones can be seen. I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't have a color calibrated, reasonably large monitor. The photos can only be thoroughly enjoyed in that way. Well done! As an after thought, I suppose I should be less quick to judge a photo by only viewing it small...

edit: another after thought: I wonder how it would look (if it's not too late), to retake the same shot with everything how it is, but to take the base of the glass and lay it down at an angle instead of standing up. It would surely change the balance of the shot especially considering the reflection and such. It might look terrible, or it might work well, who knows

[ShaneS]

Mike, as one of the folks who suggested more room on the right I applaud you on both of your reworks but am really moved my the second shot in this thread where your cut off both sides You have achieved both an 'explosive' feeling and artistic bulls-eye on this one IMHO.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Shane and Matt!

It's especially rewarding that both of you mentioned the energetic, explosive quality of the second rework, which leads to another thought.

I was skeptical about the concept of the second one and tried it only because so many people articulated their desire for it so well. Despite that I believe I should carefully consider such great feedback, their suggestion was very different from how I initially envisioned the image. It's always difficult for me to wrap my brain around something so different from what I had spent so much time planning and executing. So, kudos go to everyone that sort of pushed me into the second rework.

[AndrewMcD]

I flipped back and forth between the original and the first rework that left a bit of room to the right. I concluded I like the original better. The rework leaves me looking at three distinct places in the image and, to my eye, loses the left to right flow of the original. I think the second rework is terrific. All the energy of the event still lingers. Neat stuff.
Andrew

[Brownbear]

Hi Mike,

All exceptional. I especially love the little bits of broken glass and their reflections. (and all the usual, shadows, light and detail that you capture so beautifully)

I prefer the original and the 2nd shot... I think because the broken glass pieces on the right side of the image are different, for me, I wasn't sure about them on my first view. Sorry, but I don't know why I prefer the original where the pieces are cropped off and unbalanced.

[Digital]

Mike, #2 is what I had in mind. Good work.


Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, all!

For those of you who prefer the original photo displayed in the other thread, that actually makes me feel good, not bad. I created these two reworks to make different images, not better images. Indeed, it's especially gratifying for me that some people prefer the original, some the first rework and some the second rework. Whichever one is your favorite, I'm happy to sell it to you.