China, Yangshuo: 4

As disturbing as it is, the Author deserves much appretiation for taking this picture, for its both artistic and purely journalistic merits.

Please don't get me wrong - obiously I don't find it appealing at all, neither does =Blazko. Still, it required guts, skills and a sense of "being in the right place", probably the three most important features of a great photoreporter.

I will start with the technical aspect, since it's easier to comment on. It's a clear, crisp picture executed with much control. Composition is strong and simple and there is no doubt what the focal point is. There is also a very clear distinction between foreground and background, both in focus and colour. All in all, the scene is disturbingly picturesque, almost painting-like, it brings to mind some great still lifes by flemish artists, I would even say that by the tone and light it's almost Vermeer-ian.

And about the content.. Let me put it this way. Photography (as much as Art in general) is about conveying emotions. It's also about delivering a message. And last but not least, it's about leaving space for thought and reflection. From the point of view of a simple reviewer I can only say I find all this here and much more.

In other words, it made me THINK. It made me think of how we treat animals and each other, of life and death, of differences in cultures. It made me reflect on strange beauty which can be found anywhere in this world, even in a terrifying scene like this. It made me think of my own fragility. And of many, many other things worth reflecting on.

Thank you for this.

Ps. just to make things clear - yes, I do feel pity for the animal. I have a dog myself and I believe they are better than humans.