Canada’s red maple has gorgeous maple keys which occasionally get knocked off prematurely by spring storms. This bunch landed in a shallow puddle on the forest floor.
This image is somewhat controversial. It stirred up debate. Most people love it, a few people hate it.
Images rarely appeal to everyone. We all seem to have our biases regarding issues in images which make us like or dislike them.
It may surprise you but some of this may actually be genetic, determined by our evolutionary history. Some is emotional baggage we carry with us. Some folks may be reminded of death or drowning by this image. Some see the distinct ‘bloody’ veins in the maple keys as representing meat. This may be hard to ‘swallow’ if you’re a vegetarian.
The composition is also difficult to figure out. Is there clear direction for the eye? Is there tonal balance? Is there some confusion here?
Whatever it is, I think there is tension in this composition and some people dislike certain elements of the image.
The tension and the distress are a bit like a scandal for a celebrity. It gives a celebrity more press coverage. Images get more interest and attention. Tension in an image can be ‘sexy’!
I’m not sure about you, but I like ‘sexy’ and this image is one of my favourites.
Peter Van Rhijn Photography 