I take that to be a rain drop Ashwin. Very interesting concept with lots of potential possibilities here. A bit more of *nature* in the backdrop would have added.

I would love to know a little more about the image actually. Thanks

@Ganesh Shankar- Thanks for the advice sir!
@Nilanjan Das- Sir, I spotted this pattern when i was travelling in a train and the window of the AC coach had some water droplets from the previous night's rain. I thought of presenting the picture in monochrome, but the reflection would have never been noticed. And the texture was pretty much interesting for me to capture in colour. That's it .

Hi Ashwin,
The arresting quality of your image is the swath cut out by the dew drop. It implores the viewer to see through clearly and brings about the tension. The scratches impart it age setting it apart. If this were mine I would've gone a bit wider.
Thanks for sharing

I initially thought this image was made on a film and later scanned. To be very honest, I think the scratches are rather distracting ( am guessing the scratches were on the window pane ). I am trying to do a constructive criticism here, I too am finding that the undefined and distracting scene of nature through the window is not adding much to the image both as a theme or not even allowing much space for imagination. I am sure that you wished to relate the water droplet to the backdrop to create a message which unfortunately is not very clear to me. The caption is always playing in the mind and if its the reflection in the droplet which made you select the caption, I would perhaps suggest more definition. I am assuming that it might be completely my shortcoming but am seriously unable to catch on the thoughts which went behind making of this image. I hope you do not mind me being very candid about my thoughts on this image, I might be very much wrong in my interpretations but just shared my thoughts honestly. waiting to see more of your creations !!!! Thanks

excellent fine art image....

Interesting discussion here, so I am back to add a few words about what it means to me.

Two things together makes this image for me - the scratches above in the translucent region and the little clearer strip on the glass. My interpretation of it being - scratching (influenced by the clearer strip) of a old (influenced by scratches) feeble memory or a recent incident opening up an old story or ... I like the way the image can grow in some of these dimensions silently... Now, with the title "Reflection" you may have a different interpretation of the image itself. As I said else where critique is a creation too and may be disconnected from the thoughts of the original creator.

I thought different nature setting/subject in the backdrop (instead of flames) and showing it through part of the clearer region would have added a lot. What does not work for me in this frame is the trace of train track which does not go quite well with how I wanted to interpret (mentioned above) - lower angle to eliminate that would have added. I also agree with Nirlep's thoughts on going wider. I think similar concept with different back ground subject and different level of clarity through slit of clearer region may result in other interesting possibilities. Also, I felt there could have been more elements of nature, I know Nirlep would care less however

Thanks for sharing Ashwin.

I hope Nirlep, Praveen and Nilanjan will come back here to share their further thoughts..

Ok, am beginning to see a lot now. I think it is a classic example where the image has become art POST CREATION. I was hoping and expecting that it would be something to do with the scratches representing old memories or thoughts of the past in contrast to the clearer strip taking the mind to the future etc. Fair enough, I have no problems with the fact too that the mind of the viewer can see vary fairly away from the mind of the creator while interpreting a creation. So, this image becomes art when the thoughts of the creator is completely knocked off as I have not seen Nirlep, Ganesh or Praveen explaining this image from the photographers point of view. I was trying to keep the word reflection in my mind as an anchor and desperately trying to understand how the image makes a statement and I have no shame in declaring that I failed completely. Now, I would like to ask both Nirlep and Ganesh that how is nature contributing to the image ? The vision through the clear strip is not allowing any such vision of nature from outside the window to make a statement or exhibiting nature's contribution in any way ? There are several things which I could not forget while seeing this image for critique. It's a nature photography forum and any creation posted here perhaps needs to show the influence or elements of nature or thoughts which lead to statements relating to nature. Humans or human created stuff are ok, I think both the scratches and the clear strip are directly or indirectly not offering any explanation pertaining to nature. Second anchor was the caption REFELECTION, I simply could not push aside the thoughts of the creator which was acting as a second anchor. Overall I feel this image has become an excellent fine art image when none of the contributions of the creator are taken into account . Am seeing more creative comments than a creative image here.
Ashwin, plz do not feel uncomfortable, we do this here in this forum, we do this as we all are very honest to our passion and do not believe that disagreeing would make us enemies. This is probably the best way to learn. I was in great discomfort the whole day as I was unable to interpret your image. This is perhaps the only forum in the world where you will see this happening in such a healthy way. Nirlep, Praveen and Ganesh are very close to the heart, we all understand each other so well and have so much of respect for each other that we actually love to disagree more than we agree. Well, at least that keeps the forum healthy too, as we not only love the images we all make, we also love the mind and the thoughts which create those images . I wish I did have such artistic writing skills like Nirlep , so you might find my comments a bit blunt at times or not polished enough, but my friends here can understand my thoughts pretty well over here. Rubbing the woods only lit the fire. My comments are not intended to hurt anyone.

Hi Nilanjan, Ganesh, Praveen, and Ashwin,
Once clicked a picture neither belongs to the photographer nor the title. Title is a key to enter the frame. Once in, the picture should shed its visual load for a trained viewer. It can not be seen either as a drop, rain, colour or what it shows and hides. It is a complex complex of all the elements inter-playing. The visual is just a signifier. The signified is subjective regardless of the intent of the photographer. Especially so for an image like this which instead of showing to show hides to show. The moment I see a small clearing on the window I'm filled with an urge to pickup a swab and clear the rest of it. It clausters me. I'm gripped with an urge to neat image the frame of my consciousness and be on the other side of the window. What I see on the window is fog, an attribute of nature. What it hides is random nature outside. Of course I'm imagining this from the greens (tree line), yellow and pink (casts of sunlight just above the tree line). I also believe that latitudes of creativity have to be very wide. Infinite in fact. Adithya's picture which won him the award has a leaf form which he worked hard to create. He worked hard to make it very unlike a leaf. But in spite of that it remains a leaf which sustains life. A tiny hint as small as an ant was enough to tell a tale. I also believe that creativity is in demolishing stereotypes. This one inspite of not having "agreeable" (i'll not say inspite of not having "enough") amount of nature takes me into nature by making me a prisoner wanting to be on the other side. By this the picture has done its job. Another thing brought about by Nilanjan is the point about image having become art post creation. It's a very important point. All art, photography included, grows or diminishes post creation. The degrees can vary. The greatest works of art have remained art for centuries due to a conscious process of mystifying these artifacts. They are never allowed to be out of currency. They are discussed, researched over, talked about, sold and resold in order to ensure their existence as art. By their mystification they are seen to signify more than they were intended to. The process of their "becoming" never stops.
"Reflection" the image in question has only compositional deficiency. The swath cut out is a bit too wide. Another one or maybe a couple more would've made it better.
Ganesh you have made me write so much today. I'm gonna catch you for a treat whenever that is.
Your turn Nilanjan. Shoot

Nilanjan, I settled down for those undefined green contours as "nature" and I mentioned in my critique I would have liked more of "nature". Beyond that what I liked is the concept of blur and a scratch of clear through the blur which is amenable for several interpretations and could be used for other creations with more of nature in backdrops and in those reflections. As far the title goes I could not relate much in this context and went with my feelings.

Agree with Nirlep.. generally I see the image first and look at the title, a picture should tell the story as best as it can in the first go. I had the same urge to clear the window of the mist... this picture for is kind of depressing with the black tones and the numerous scratches..kind of like a person's memory with disturbed past ( the tracks signify this) but the orangish glow on the clouds past the glass signify of the distant hope that is waiting to be discovered.

Nirlep, I read your reply after posting my last one.

You said - Once clicked a picture neither belongs to the photographer nor the title.

I am 100% with you on that.

Regarding the treat, I will be glad to give you if you can make it to CNP Meet That said, I love reading your thoughts/comments Nirlep - though I have to read it a few times to understand
Thank you - from bottom of my heart...

Of late, I enjoy reading every comment on any image - most often I get to wonder at how human mind works reading those different interpretations of the images.

Ganesh sir, Nilanjan sir, Nirlep sir, Pravin sir
So much to learn.I've noted down everyone's comment here I never ever recieved such knowledgeable feedback on my any picture. From now on, i'll try to keep the *nature* factor as the key aspect in the picture.You all made my day.
Thanks a lot
Ashwin

Hi Nirlep

I think I did not read anything new here to add more except that plz do not forget to invite me too when Ganesh takes you out for the treat. Ganesh would never buy you beer man, best would be milk and worst would be coffee . Change your mind dear, come over for the CNP meet, may be myself and RD might be able to change your excellent shape into something like ours lol. Why are you being so reasonable, am hoping that you would get emotional and change your mind and join us. I declared a jihad at home and am joining just out of impulse. Come over, we will drink to our differences. . Now how many chances will you get in life to grow in differences and still get closer everyday ? . Love you man, love you.