Trouble

[Illegally_Alive]

Hello!
I shot this picture over the weekend, what do you think?
Too stylized or over done? No post, all done in camera.

http://www.illegallyalive.com/new/screwdriver%20murdersmaller.jpg

Thanks,
-Ben

[Illegally_Alive]

nothing? i guess it's a little cheesy

[mrclark321]

I think it's the implied violence that has people hesitant to reply!

It's just my honest opinion.

Dan

[sixshot]

Thats a crazy, sadistic shot. But I like it. Very strange though.

[TimSchroepfer]

What is the story are you trying to tell? If I were critiquing this photography as a still off a movie camera I would talk to the dp and get the light off the background. You are showing violence so what do you need to show the violence? Showing acts of violence can be very powerful images, but only if they give the right information. IMO you only need to show the sharp point of the screwdriver and the legs curled in the background. The man lying on the floor looking up like "WOW I am doing a shoot" is not needed. IMO the essence of horror is showing only the images that give the impression of the event. The imagery in our sick minds is much more powerful than those we can put on film. I want to add that I do not see the need for this type of image without proper artistic motivation. So what is your motivation? I would not post this type of picture without some explanation. The lighting is pretty darn good for no post processing.

[Illegally_Alive]

Thanks for the feedback.

To be honest, I spent the whole weekend shooting high contrast b&w film noir-esque photos with my friends, and wanted to do some work in color. It was raining all weekend and we were all in a really dark mood. This image exists for a few reasons. First and most importantly- it popped into my head while at work and is partly an exercise in getting things out of my head as accurately as possible. (btw it's very very close but not quite there.) Secondly- as i was setting it up it became more and more about the lighting, I spent about an hour on the lighting. (maybe too long) but all that I used was the on camera flash, a 500 super dg, and a household lamp (in the corner). Third- as already stated, we were all in a twisted mood that night, so this really just seemed to fit.

Being that I set the image up, it doesn't have the same meanings to me that it has to anyone else, so I didn't think about how twisted it looks before posting it. I apologize if it offends.

Thanks again for the feedback, and I will take more into consideration before posting next time.

-Ben

[MAD DOG]

If it's a murder...... Where's the blood?, assuming we take it that the screwdriver was the weapon used.

Did he not put up any sort of a fight?

PS. He's obviously a very fresh dead body as there's no discolouration of his extremities.

[jfrancho]

Thanks for the feedback.

To be honest, I spent the whole weekend shooting high contrast b&w film noir-esque photos with my friends, and wanted to do some work in color. It was raining all weekend and we were all in a really dark mood. This image exists for a few reasons. First and most importantly- it popped into my head while at work and is partly an exercise in getting things out of my head as accurately as possible. (btw it's very very close but not quite there.) Secondly- as i was setting it up it became more and more about the lighting, I spent about an hour on the lighting. (maybe too long) but all that I used was the on camera flash, a 500 super dg, and a household lamp (in the corner). Third- as already stated, we were all in a twisted mood that night, so this really just seemed to fit.

Being that I set the image up, it doesn't have the same meanings to me that it has to anyone else, so I didn't think about how twisted it looks before posting it. I apologize if it offends.

Thanks again for the feedback, and I will take more into consideration before posting next time.

-BenAs long as you keep posting...don't be discouraged. What you are attempting is pretty difficult. You were definitely right to think this through, the lighting is great. I don't like the idea of adding blood. This is just a personal opinion. I don't think it is necessary to portray control, fear, regret. Thise are few emotions I get from the capture. All in all, not bad.

[PhotosGuy]

If it's a murder...... Where's the blood?, assuming we take it that the screwdriver was the weapon used. It's a robot & it's time for his Spring tune-up?
As long as you keep posting...don't be discouraged. I agree. Don't give up.

[yvettevil]

Disturbing but quite good.

[Illegally_Alive]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

-B

p.s. as far as the blood goes... i didn't want it to be too much... and doesn't it sort of look like his head is in a pool of it?