Adithya, I think one of the big challenge in using subjects in nature to convey a message which is physically unrelated to what is being photographed is subjectivity of such abstract creations. I tend to think some more explicit portrayal (in this case) is needed to translate what we want to convey abstractly using an element in nature. Interestingly the problem is simpler when we make images image human elements in it. We unmistakably relate to tears in eyes, we unmistakably relate to happy moments. Why ? We know that language very well that flows in our blood. Can we understand and respond to sad mood of a snake for example ? No, we can't. Can we trigger a sad mood using a twig ? Probably yes but those abstractions need to be a bit more **explicit** and some how we need to relate to human value system. It may be possible to use attributes like colors/intensity/arrangements/forms/shape etc etc. Take your own image -



To me why this is relatable is we humans (probably majority of us) connect to this image as fear/danger/scare etc due to the subject and lighting around here. This is nothing to do with natural history of spider at night ! An image which can successfully trigger thoughts which is nothing to do with the physical meaning or natural history portrayed. While I believe this could be one of the paths to art in nature photography the question of subjectivity haunts my mind often. How can we make it a little more definitive with out diluting the artistic merits of the image ? How can we use elements of nature to make it more relatable in abstract way ?

I think answer lies in being a little more explicit like your spider image in this case. I don't know how you could have done that for this image BTW..

My frank views on the series you have shared so far...

Adithya had sent me the entire series by email before he posted them in CNP, he had narrated his thoughts and asked me if I would consider a rearrangement or not. I asked him to go ahead with his own thoughts, as there are certain images within or outside a series which connect to the creator more than the viewer. The images which instantly go out to connect the mind of the viewer need to have some elements which as Ganesh rightly explained as being a little explicit and connect to the experience of the viewer. While some images are more closed, they relate more to the mind of the creator and he needs to describe the flow, lead the mind of the viewer into it. It becomes very difficult to comment or even connect if somebody creates those implicit images and then writes this is the condition of my mind and would love to know your thoughts.....this is where he may find various opinions to no opinion at all. This is not due to inabilities of the viewer neither due to inabilities of the creator, it's like showing a blank expressionless face and then ask tell me if he is happy or sad or angry . As Ganshi said, it becomes easier for us to connect to images if we can connect to some of the attributes. This is not at all to tell you that you should change your ways of making images Adithya .