A Stranger In the Dark, a photo from British Columbia, Western

Photographer's Note

Now for something VERY different, and I'm expecting most of you to dislike it - but I'm going to post it anyways.

Lets get creative and lets get scary.

Here we have a statue I photographed today at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Rob & Lars visited this same exhibition a few days ago. Its the work of Alberto Giacometti. He passed away in 1966 at the age of only 65.

Giacometti is famous for this sculptures, many of which are of men or women, in a very tall and narrow form. They are very interesting to view, and I really enjoyed it.

I wanted to try something creative with the lighting, as the 'usual' photo of the sculpture is quite boring. So I tried to create a story of my own with the subject. I wanted the man to be darkly lit, where you have trouble making out his features, less is more in this case.

Here we have one of his 7 foot tall male sculptures, and I shot it from behind. Using the monochrome setting and available light, I wanted to create a scary man, possibly lurking in someone's house. Or perhaps he looks like a tall alien. Whatever it may be, he's not wanted, and he is going to find you.

In the WS are two photos showing how the sculpture looks in bright light.

ikeharel, pajaran, papagolf21, Fis2, holmertz, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, sacimar, PiotrF, ChrisJ, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (135464) 2019-08-06 23:22

Hi Craig,
Well presented this statue, good management for your photo with an interesting contrast of light, well seen the b&w version, ideal for such this photo subject, tfs.

ifege (32323) 2019-08-06 23:32

Hi Craig
Great photo of this Giacometti sculpture. Just enough light shining on him for us to know what is. I love it!
Cheers
Ian

papagolf21 (152599) 2019-08-06 23:54

Bonjour, her Craig,
C'est vrai que je ne suis pas un grand fan de l'art contemporain, toutefois, cet artiste donne ŕ ces sculptures un effet qui touche la sensibilité.
J'aime bien cette composition.
Trčs bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Tue (82280) 2019-08-07 0:27

Hello Craig,
So you've been to the Giacometti exhibition! That's cool and what an amazing photo! The light was fantastic and reveals the texture and shapes of the narrow sculpture so well. It is such an artistic photo, which could have been used by the museum as well to promote the exhibition. Fantastic job, very well done!
Lars

Fis2 (155673) 2019-08-07 0:34

Witaj Craig!
What is that scare guy, fear to be afraid.
Good idea curious effekt.
Well done.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2019-08-07 1:19

Hello

fantastique image et vue quelle statue quel jeu de lumičre superbe intimité et mystčre avec les bras qui ressortent quel effet trčs beau travail
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

holmertz (92890) 2019-08-07 1:37

Hello Craig,
You made an interesting experiment and I am sure you had fun trying to create this effect. You really made the poor guy look like a horror movie monster. I wonder what Giacometti himself would have thought.
Regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (75468) 2019-08-07 2:26

Hello Craig,

I think you achieved exactly what you intended.
Although the w/s give us good visual details of the sculpture, this is the one which creates atmosphere, emotion!
I actually don't really like the sculpture, it reminds me too closely of the pictures from Belson, but this is full of threat.
The outline is created by the light reflection and part of the body just disappears, merges with the darkness.

A good experiment!

Have a good day,
Bev :-)
Thank you for your kind words about my photographs.

Gerrit (59968) 2019-08-07 2:47

Hi Craig,
very succeeded expiriment. I like this photo of light and shadow a lot.
thanks and regards,
Gerrit

Silvio1953 (205793) 2019-08-07 3:04

Ciao Craig, fascinating view of original statue, magic atmosphere full of mistery, excellent exposure and fantastic light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (103591) 2019-08-07 4:38

Hi Craig,

The point of view is showing the details of some parts of the sculpture and is leaving the rest to my imagination. The darkness is giving a scary situation for persons who appreciate the light. Have a nice day.

pierre

sacimar (38173) 2019-08-07 8:55

Hello Craig,

you are creative indeed and I like it! it is a different photo, original and attractive, with the WS images we can realize that, well done!

Best regards,

Sergio

PiotrF (52330) 2019-08-07 13:00

Hello Craig,
Interesting shot of this statue.
Thank you for informative note about Alberto Giacometti.
Pictures in the workshop are interesting, but only "normal"
Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr

bukitgolfb301 (53894) 2019-08-07 18:41

Hi dear Craig

Very appealing shot from you! I never dislike but yes it is quite different from your daily postings. The gradation of black is so dramatic and there seems to be so much implications by you.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

ChrisJ (160070) 2019-08-08 0:21

Hi Craig,

It looks like the creature from the Black Lagoon or something out of the Aliens movies. Good backlight, sharpness and framing. Tfs!

alvaraalto (42314) 2019-08-08 3:29

Hello Craig,
After having visited three exhibitions with Giacometti in one year and with hundreds of own photos of these visits, you still know how to surprise me with this impressive experiment.
The long mysterious sculptures of this artist lend themselves perfectly for this and you have made a beautiful artwork of your own of this artwork
Excellent observation!
Have a nice day, groet Rob

lousat (130007) 2019-08-08 9:49

Hi Craig,i agree your brave choice to post this pic as the main in the gallery.New ideas are Always welcome,and there are 2 classic versions in the WS to who like to see the Giacometti artwork in the normal way. Lovely use of the light and black and white for a very bright capture,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (54875) 2019-08-08 12:06

Hello Craig,
I would rather not meet this figure in the dark.
But looking at your photos in the WS, I'd better invite him to dinner ... As long as I am not the food.
Masterfully done!
Best regards, Paul

kasianowak (15848) 2019-08-09 6:02

A tall alien for me! But somehow more of a lost alien than a dangerous alien so I feel a bit sorry for him...
Love the dark tones, backlighting and contrast, good monochrome work.
Have a nice weekend!
Kasia

carlo62 (81265) 2019-08-11 5:55

Ciao Craig
se il tuo intento era quello che hai scritto nella nota, ci sei riuscito pienamente, questa foto č piuttosto paurosa.
Belle anche le foto del ws che ci mostrano meglio la scultura.
Saluti

COSTANTINO (104209) 2020-05-20 22:58

Hello dear craig and have a nice day
I visited your gallery and I chose this photo
bringing mystery
thanks for your useful notes
great photo of this sculpture
regards
Costantino