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A Second Look
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A Second Look

by Tony Kuyper

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 4, 20173,466 views14 comments
This is a post-perceptual landscape image.  It was taken seven years ago.  It's fairly true to the light when I took the picture, but I didn't know what I saw when I saw it.  This image only revealed itself once I circled around for a second look. 

This is something that I find interesting about digital photography.  Our first impressions of the scene don't have to be the only interpretation.  That sort of flies in the face of the visualization concept where you supposedly see the final image before you click the shutter.  However, strolling through RAW files, at least for me, is about the same as walking a nature trail.  Never know what I'll find, but there are often some surprising images in there if I take the time to look and am open to the possibilities.

Once you figure this out, please don't give it away.  It did take me seven years to find it after all, so letting others struggle just a bit doesn't seem unreasonable.

If you want a hint, you can look here.  However, check at your own risk as it will ruin the illusion.

Comments

14 comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on September 4, 2017 at 10:02 PM
Tony, 

OH MY!  This is almost indescribable; unlike anything we've seen here before. First of all, as presented the abstract nature of this opens up the mind for many interpretations.  Here's mine - I see a ghost-like creature sliming out of the depths - like some psychedelic Ghost Busters character...

I can't believe this sat on your hard drive for 7 years.  Knowing what I know about your knowledge and command of colors and processing, you have really taken that knowledge and experience to a new level.  Yes, the colors are out there, but as you've mentioned many times in the past, the colors were there... 

That sort of flies in the face of the visualization concept where you supposedly see the final image before you click the shutter.  However, strolling through RAW files, at least for me, is about the same as walking a nature trail.  Never know what I'll find, but there are often some surprising images in there if I take the time to look and am open to the possibilities.

 I think there's a connection here between this and what Anil recently wrote:

...ability of the photographer to recognize the potential in the scene and render it in this stylistic manner."
Thanks Anil!  One should never stop looking, observing.

I think the connection here is not only being open to possibilities, but also being able to see potential.

I'm pretty sure I know what the possibility was that you finally realized.  Awesome realization too.  Kudos!  devil 

This is an epiphany.  

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Ana on September 4, 2017 at 10:26 PM
Oh man, but now I want to know if I'm "right".  LOL.  
It's gorgeous.
Registered on February 10, 2004, 191 Posts, 1446 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Kearl on September 4, 2017 at 10:49 PM
I don't even care what it is...
Beautiful.
Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on September 4, 2017 at 11:10 PM
I think you may have let Pandora out of the box, Tony.  Literally, it's a female entity, whose only dimension is color, her only source of form is only visible to those who can see it.  She is unleashed.  It'll probably be a good thing, who doesn't want more color.indecision  This is outstanding.  Hope you continue to peruse your archives. 
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on September 5, 2017 at 9:37 AM
Excellent and wild abstract. I have no idea what it is. I might consider cropping a little off the bottom, but pretty minor. Very well done. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on September 5, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Truly abstract, Tony. I have no idea what this is, but I love it! I am on the fence regarding cropping the bottom. The color and detail are excellent! Nicely done!
-P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on September 6, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Tony, I'm still trying to figure out if this is clouds in the sky or a canyon wall...  Either way, it's a great find.  Love the glowing orange figure and the variety of colors around it.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on September 6, 2017 at 3:37 PM
I have no idea what this is and I do not care as this abstract is amazing, Tony. I love the bold in your face color in this scene. My only suggestion; and this is just a personal preference; would be to crop off about 1/3 of the darker area on the bottom. Either way this is gorgeous.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on September 8, 2017 at 2:19 AM
Feel like this is flipped upsidedown.   And I know all about finding things 7 years old.  Good work sir :)

aF
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on September 8, 2017 at 4:58 PM
This works brilliantly as abstract. For some reason the neon blue/blacks bother me though
Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 8, 2017 at 9:48 PM
Fantastic abstract Tony.  Wonderful mix of warm and cool tone.  I still cannot figure out what it is but that is part of the beauty of this image.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on September 11, 2017 at 6:13 PM
This is fabulous, Tony.  I love the interpretation here, and the hint answered one of my perceptual quandaries.  I love the color and structure here.  

BTW, I agree with you re. strolling through old files and finding new images.  I think the pre-visualization concept is important, but it's just one creative process among many.

ML
Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on September 17, 2017 at 10:54 PM
Tony,  this seems to be one of your more wilder abstracts that I recall. Very vivid and elusive. 
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on September 25, 2017 at 10:51 PM
One of these days I need to go back through my archives and think with a BW brain on, for the very reasons you state. I really enjoy how you can "see" an image that most of us would walk right on by. Congrats on the WP!
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments