tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post2347709095171992956..comments2023-03-19T07:57:18.759-04:00Comments on Jim's Random Thoughts: The Beautiful PictureJim Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08371145771488257147noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-15088230775388115622010-11-16T18:39:37.052-05:002010-11-16T18:39:37.052-05:00"Mona in the Sky with Diamonds!"
I'..."Mona in the Sky with Diamonds!"<br /><br />I'll have what you're having!Marniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108110032212382085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-88561880662434600492010-11-14T08:31:38.069-05:002010-11-14T08:31:38.069-05:00Marni, I would argue that you are not becoming cra...Marni, I would argue that you are not becoming crankier but rather more perceptive and comfortable with your own good taste!<br /><br />Eric: I don't have Mona in the sunset but I do have "Mona in the Sky with Diamonds!"JIm Steelehttp://www.photographybysteele.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-76396607582963589422010-11-13T19:22:25.192-05:002010-11-13T19:22:25.192-05:00Hey, Jim...
I just found your blog, and am drawn ...Hey, Jim...<br /><br />I just found your blog, and am drawn to your "pretty picture". The older (and crankier) I get the more I tire of the self-importance that often accompanies the art business, which says that "pretty" isn't enough. This beautiful sky might not be smack dab in the center of your artistic vision, but it is a *lovely* moment, and one where I'm enjoying lingering for a bit. As part of your whole body of work it adds flavor.<br /><br />Did you put it up in your studio to collect comments?<br /><br />Cheers,<br />MarnieMarniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108110032212382085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-87410391859666692272010-11-13T19:13:33.724-05:002010-11-13T19:13:33.724-05:00I make it a point to distinguish between "bea...I make it a point to distinguish between "beauty" and "pretty-ness". "Beauty" is a big deal and always "enough" in a work of art. But how to define "beauty"? One critic (can't remember who) wrote that beauty is the ecstasy of the mind. That may not be an entirely satisfactory definition, but I can't imagine anyone saying the same about the mere "pretty".<br /><br />Chris CardellinoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-10577637097519859852010-08-01T16:33:06.319-04:002010-08-01T16:33:06.319-04:00It is a pretty picture, Jim . . . and a great medi...It is a pretty picture, Jim . . . and a great meditation on pretty pictures. However, it doesn't tell me much new about either sunsets or about your vision. Nothing about this says to me, "Jim Steele took that." That's my gauge, I guess. It's damned hard to quantify or even describe. Now, if you put a picture of Mona Lisa up there in the clouds, *then* I would know it was a Jim Steele :)<br /><br />Eric McCollumE. E. McCollumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14867820875144470301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-24392094817439382992010-07-31T08:08:19.009-04:002010-07-31T08:08:19.009-04:00Great idea about putting it in my studio and askin...Great idea about putting it in my studio and asking for comments. I'll see if there is a way to do it.Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-88106363565592589752010-07-30T16:19:16.508-04:002010-07-30T16:19:16.508-04:00This is the third try at posting this damn comment...This is the third try at posting this damn comment... my problem, obviously. The first quote that applies to this is Janet Russek's: "Surround yourself with beauty". And this IS beauty, I think. The second quote is attributed to Minor White: "What is it, and what else it is?" Beautiful B&W photographs have both those aspects. Some pretty color pictures do and some don't. I think this one does, so print it! Large, I think, though size is a really interesting question. But I this seems to tell me fairly large. The "what is it?" is the subtle color in the clouds. The "what else is it?" is the pattern of the clouds that needs to be fairly large to appreciated. I would be also be curious to see what comments this would trigger at your studio. <br /><br />bob reaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3745003811869760108.post-49154419304022245352010-07-30T14:47:52.135-04:002010-07-30T14:47:52.135-04:00Jim,
Wonderful question. I have the same difficu...Jim,<br /><br />Wonderful question. I have the same difficulty. I keep trying to figure out how I can make an image of something that attracts my eye that would be different than someoneelse's image. Is this necessary? What does it say about me? There are many more questions that can be asked.<br /><br />I suggest an experiment for you. Print this image large and hang it in your studio and keep track of the comments it triggers. It would be interesting to see a summary sometime in the future.<br /><br />Bob RosenBob rosennoreply@blogger.com