thoughts on composure

[martcol]

I quite like this shot but there's heaps of foreground and I'm not sure if it works.

http://martcol.fotopic.net/photo.php?id=1478883

Anyway I'd be interested in your thoughts. I had to drop in a new sky and it took ages getting a natural looking line with all that folliage. I can see it still it needs a bit more work but mostly, waddayathink about the composure. I've tried dropping in a bigger sky and cutting out the foreground but....

Oh, I'll stop now so that you can say what you think!

Martcol

Is it better to post with the image in the thread? Is there a size limit?

[ilya]

Martcol

I'm by far not an expert, so I could tell you what I think in my humble opinion....I think the lower two inches do not add anything, and could be cropped out. Same goes for an inch on the left side. Also, the sunlight in the new sky seems to be at odds with the angles on the house. But its a great subject, can you reshoot to get closer, and show some detail?

It is better to embed the image. Your longest edge shouldn't exceed 800pxl.

[Leighow]

MARTCOL

I like this shot -- but it does not knock my socks off.
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It is no fun trying to critique, because it is somewhat personal, and it can be upsetting when you know how much work we all put into our images. Two years ago I thought that it might be helpful in organizing my own thoughts to follow a check list. So, I am going to do that today. Remember that I am an amateur just like you.

BASIC TECHNIQUE:
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1 Is focus appropriate for the subject? 2 Is depth of field appropriate? 3 Is it exposed in a way that works for the image?

-- > This seems OK to me.


SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
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4 Are special techniques like multiple exposures or digital manipulation used effectively?

-- > I do not have a big problem with the sky.. but...I usuallay associate these clear blue skys with lots of sunlight which is absent in this scene.


COMPOSITION:
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5 Is the image balance OK? 6 If there is a main center of interest, is it well placed in the frame? 7 Are there distracting elements in the picture that could be eliminated? 8 Are there too many/too few unrelated elements? 9 Does the composition make effective use of leading lines? 10 Is depth used (or not used) to good advantage? 11 Does the framing work?


-- > This is a pretty simple composition. In some ways the house dominates the scene. It is quite large. The line of the dark blue ocean and of the clouds are small. But the house is sort of pasted on the surface and no lines of say waving grass, or a pathway, etc help to build interest and walk us to the front door. Also, depth is not used to advantage here as there really is no perspective or receding line. Indeed the image is flat. The framing works, but is the sides of the image are wide open.


LIGHTING:
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12 Does it show off the subject well? 13 Is the contrast level appropriate? 14 Is there lighting that would work better for the subject? (If the lighting is controlled, is it well controlled?)

-- > I think the lighting lets this picture down a lot. There is a brightness to the house, but the grass seems dull, and that seems to be all that you can say about the light. I would suggest that the light be in the magic hour. For example, it might be cutting a line across the grass and illuminating the house against dark storm clouds and the waving grass might be filled with spring flowers.


SUBJECT INTEREST:
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15 Does the subject have interesting connotations or associations? 16 Color interest? 17 Interesting textures?

-- > There is aways interest in a seaside cottage. A get-a-way. But this house must be on a hill and we are not invited to see the sea or crashing waves, etc.


ORIGINALITY:
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18 Does the image show an original subject or approach to a standard subject? 19 Is it anonymous, or does it show a visual signature/ convey a personal vision?

-- >? MartCol I looked at your image of the window and I did see you signature on both. Similar colors ands nautical sort of feel. I like your feel for images, this one just needs to be a bit stronger.


STORY MOOD:
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20 Does the image effectively tell a story or convey a mood?

-- > Almost ! These is this lone house by the sea, and there is a story that wants to come out. But the absence of people (e.g. a filled clothes line, the mood never gets too powerful.

My purpose is not to be harsh, but to try to provide a commentary that may help both of us to understand how I feel about your photo.

Thanks for your bravery. And please feel free to mention whether the above approach is useful or not, or how I might improve same -- or just drop the "analysis" and get on with my life!!

HOWIE

[martcol]

Thanks for that both of you. You pretty much confirm what I thought.

In "real life" it was very early morning hence the strong shadow on the roof and the mismatch sky, which was a mid afternoon shot! In fact, there's a bit of a colour cast there not as you'd notice it much having no reference for the actual colour of the house. I was on holiday at the time and oh, do I wish I could go back and shoot it again!

I noticed this house every time I passed it and it had a kind of spooky quality sitting out there on its own with that window/hole creating a mood (for me anyway). I tried several shots but never really captured the mood. It's not a fabulous photo but I like it! If I could shoot it again I wonder if it might have helped to get lower down? Would that have created a bit more depth in the foreground? As it is it looks kind of flat.

I'm going to have another go editting it with some more cropping and yet another different sky.

Thanks Again

Martin

PS Howie - the check list is a stroke of genius! Very thoughtful and raised my hope rather than crushed it! :eyes

[oops]

martcol wrote:
I'm going to have another go editting it with some more cropping and yet another different sky.



I have been exactly where you are right now and took exactly the same approach because I just "loved that shot".

I did better back at the end of my viewfinder than back in front of my pc, in retrospect. You seem to have much more Photoshop talent than I ever mastered so I look forward to your results!

Chris.

[martcol]

Wow Chris! I always think talent is something other people have - same as money, job satisfaction, artistic flair, fast cars..... :eyes

I feel a Blues song comin' on! 8)

Martin