Leo Carillo Ranch
When does a work become art? I’m sure an academic could answer this with ease, but how many academics do you know who are artists? Art is a relationship between the artist and the viewer. The artist plans, creates and presents their interpretation of the world and the viewer does or does not relate to the result.
The photo-artist has made this subject their own. They have visualized this composition (planed), manipulated the image to meet their visualization (created) and seared this work with us (presented). Now it is up to the viewer to react and respond.
This image leaves me breathless. The overwhelming graphic of the red leaf dominating the composition, dividing it vertically while its base ends in the water and is repeated in the reflection like a window into another dimension (ones of light and dark). The illuminated edges of the plant with the subtle textures are remarkable. This is a work I would like to have hanging on my wall.
Click on Image 
March 27th, 2008 at 8:37 am
This was taken outside one of the ranch houses at the Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad, CA–around noon (1/125 f/5.6 ISO400, 28-80mm @ 80mm, Canon Rebel XTi, “processed” in Lightroom). Unfortunately, there was a lot of dirt on top of some of the leaves(petals?) on the lower half that I had to crop out pushing the bright spot lower into the composition than I would have liked. My favorite aspect of the image is definitely the glowing edges, which I didn’t even notice until I got home and went through my shots!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:06 am
WOW! Indeed. I love this interpretation of an otherwise
common plant. What I like most about it is the overall
look. It almost has a liquid metallic feel to it. It is
strong yet draws you in. I’d like to see a series of similar
shots. Fabulous!!