Originally posted by jsherman999 .
I just think the image as a whole is wonderful. Most images can be seen as simple, traditional 1) foreground, 2) background, and in this one, the bokeh bleeds into the foreground, while the main 'subject' retains enough sharpness to be identifiable as the 'subject'. But the whole image is the 'subject' here - the bokeh has an individuality that makes it as important as what's in the foreground.
Good lens + good photographer.
.
Sorry for joining the conversation so late, I was away and only followed a couple of threads on my phone.
I basically agree with J. I would go on to say life itself is sometimes confusing and full of branches, its sometimes nervous, its sometimes smooth and calming. I appreciate there are so many reasons to shoot within specific guidlines but I would suggest the (perhaps unwritten) laws about "what is good Bokeh" appear here without regard necessarily to the possibility the image is saying someting by being exactly what it is.
The fact James tells us its a test allows me not to strain too hard to think of what he was thinking when he shot it, but it would be that part of my mind that would look at this type of image moreso than the technical side. It would be different if it were someones wedding photo.
That said, I've never been trained in photography so I guess I probably still don't even really know what a technically strong photograph is, I just generally observe the entire image and decide if it gave me pause or if it made me think someone simply occupied the space they were in at the time they opened the shutter. Regardless of intent, I still find the shot in question gave me many moments of pause.
I've never been one to relegate Bokeh as a proper subservient background like a 1950's housewife though - so my word on this subject is strictly passionate and personal
Kelly.