2 monochromes

[Radtech1]

While taking a walk through town, we went to the public pool. It was of course closed, but I did get about 100 shots. I think that these two are the best. Because the feeling that I wanted to evoke was that of emptiness, desolation, unfulfilled promise, abandonment, disuse (and so on) the first thing I did was convert them to monochrome. I think that this conveys the stark atmosphere I was trying for.

All in all, I think that they are pretty good, but I am looking for comment, good and bad - so don’t be afraid to be brutal. BUT, if you don’t like them PLEASE let me know why - in detail.

http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/nextsummerico.jpg (http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/nextsummer.jpg)

"Next Summer" (Also, can anyone think of a better title?)

http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/nodivingico.jpg (http://users.adelphia.net/~radtech1/Photos/nodiving.jpg)

"No Diving"


Thanks,

Radtech

[henkbos]

#1 doesn't do a lot for me. I think the subject is good and B&W is a good option here, but:
- one or two steps two the left would have been better, which would have made one line of chairs the main subject
- the clutter on the top right is distracting
#2 is a weird one. The distance between 'pool' and diving board seems too big to make them connected. The blocked stairs and the short board also seem strange to me. May be a lower vantage point would have been better.

[martcol]

I think I see exactly what you wanted to achieve in these shots but for some reason, they just lack a little.... I wonder if the sun-bed shot might have come on with something like a towel or a pair of shoes, maybe an old book blowing in the wind near or on one of the beds?

You said, I wanted to evoke was that of emptiness, desolation, unfulfilled promise, abandonment, disuse (and so on) and without that explanation, it's not really obvious. However, I think you're right about B&W. It suits the mood and the shots which show thoughtfulness and care.

Martin

[KarlJones]

I like the effect you were after with monochrome.

Having just read what you were trying for, I looked at photo #1. I found it much "too busy" with the chairs, the bench and tables, the grilling pit, etc to associate with emptiness or barreness. Not sure how I would have pulled it off other than to have pulled out, exposing even more of the area.

As for photo #2, I cannot say I'm totally sure of what I'm looking at. I'm dense enough that I'll guess it's a diving board... if it is, I'd say it's one of the shorter ones I've seen (unless there's more to it). Nonetheless, as an object photographed, it seems to be little more than just that.