Very abstract. Surreal even. I think I do like it but it doesn't affect me in the way I expect a photograph to.

Indeed abstract, indeed surreal. Glad you like it. Certainly wouldn't expect it to affect you as photographs normally do. More like a Rayograph, perhaps?

The Kandinsky book only heightened my jealousy of hand-artists and their freedom from dependence on "reality"—on stuff that's "actually out there." So on occasions when I can do something that creeps into their domain, that is, as you allude, "not photographic," I exalt. Not that Iʼd want to do that all the time, you understand, just that itʼs so much fun when I can.

I have to say that this one grabbed me. Can't really explain what it is that I like about it, but I really like it. Very nice.

Cool! As I mentioned, it really leapt out and grabbed me; itʼs nice to know it affected someone else that way as well.

I might could be able to point to various elements and aspects of it and say I particularly like them, but I couldnʼt really explain why I liked those bits, nor could I explain my overall fondness for it. So weʼre kind of both in the same boat in that regard.

Anyway, thanks. Iʼm glad you enjoyed it.

I find it very unsettling, but I can't quite say why. There are faces and hands making faces even though if I try I can find the original underneath. (Just to be clear, the fact that the photograph disturbs me is not a criticism at all. Just a reaction.)

Interesting. Hadnʼt seen the faces before but I certainly do now that you've mentioned them. Funny what one does or doesnʼt see, and how thatʼs affected by otherʼs suggestions/perceptions.

Thank you for clarifying, it was wise and kind of you. Iʼd like to think that Iʼd always recognize "unsettling" and "disturbing" as reactions rather than as criticisms, but one never knows for sure. (And a part of me thinks, "Ooooh. She had a strong emotional reaction to it. Must mean itʼs ART. Score!")

I purely love this particular icon photo. Itʼs just so darned cute; itʼs so darned you; itʼs so darned hot. It tells a whole story in that one crooked knee. Hmmm. Iʼd better stop now, Iʼm getting all … er … nevermind…

I’m glad you understood. "I like it" and "I don’t like it" are for postcards and paintings with happy little clouds. Reactions (though understandably hard to put into words sometimes, hence the fall back on "likes" even when a reaction is evoked) are far more interesting. They have as much to do with who the viewer is, as what the picture looks like. I tend to react in strange sensory ways. That unsettling photo – really, what I felt was a tummy twisting, and an urge to check behind me; paranoia. You know that photo you posted a while back with the woman in the hat and white shirt with moving hands? When I look at that one, I feel oven warm, and I taste those sweet buns that you can get in asian restaurants.

Anyway, you can trust that anything I say, even if it doesn’t seem glowingly positive, is an honest reaction, and therefore, a good thing. I have neither the knowledge nor the inclination to critique technique or composition.

As for the boots icon – thanks! And *blush*. I made them, you know. They’re part of the Wonder Woman costume that I made for Halloween several years back out of upholstery vinyl. (I had a vision – it involved vinyl. I like to sew and craft costumes with inappropriate materials: plastic, Astroturf, garbage bags, tissue paper, chicken wire …) I’m sure you can tell that this icon is from the other end of the WW costume. I was quite proud of it.

Strange & engaging. It would make a good illustration for *something*....

:) Thanks. "Illustration." Hmmmmm. Neet! And youʼre right: for … *something*. Who knows what? Indeed.

After further looking and thought I find that its the very strong lines that lead my eye around that I like about this image.

The line of what I presume is an arm causes my eye to loop up the the head or hair areas which loops the eye back around again. All this interspersed with occasional darting glances at the dark spot at the bottom and being teased by I'm not sure what to the right side.

For whatever inexplicable reason, my senses find these particular shapes and pattern pleasing. The effect is so strong that I find it difficult to settle my eye on one area and study it further. My eye refuses to pause very long, wanting to roam around the image.

It may not be very useful information, but its what I perceive is going on in my little brain.

Thank you for taking the time to think more about it and to post your thoughts. I don't know whether they're "useful" either, but they are certainly interesting, and something for me to think about. The best I've been able to do on my own is that I like the bumps and squiggles and textures. Heh. Now that's useful.