Potential for upcoming show?

[namasste]

honest opinions really needed. I need to find 3-6 pieces for two shows I have in October and for some reason, this one (just shot at lunch today) really gets me going. Do you think it's show worthy and if not, please CC so I can adjust and/or ditch this spot for something else. Thanks much!!!

http://namasste.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p1031147746-4.jpg

[Etienne]

Hi, my first thoughts are that it is an interesting picture but it needs a bit of ooomph. I would have thought that increasing the saturation and contrast a tiny bit would give the picture a bit more drama. I would also burn in the lower right area some.
Just my two cents.
Take care
Etienne

[namasste]

Hi, my first thoughts are that it is an interesting picture but it needs a bit of ooomph. I would have thought that increasing the saturation and contrast a tiny bit would give the picture a bit more drama. I would also burn in the lower right area some.
Just my two cents.
Take care
Etienne

thanks, I did very little pp so far, a little on the highlights, and some brightness and that's about it. I'll have a look at doing some more although I am not a wizard with pp so I try to keep things simple. That said, I'd be happy to try any suggestions if you'll give me a little help.

[Streetshooter]

It's an interesting scene but there's no punch......Try reading Camera Lucida......don

[namasste]

thanks as always Don.

anyone want to show me how to "punch" it?? please?

[kenyc]

I guess it depends on what you are trying to do at/with the show. It seems a bit flat and a bit busy to me. Might be better to focus on a particular item or subject, like the blue door or the Power Tool Sign/door - that looks like the main point of interest here.

KAC

[namasste]

I guess it depends on what you are trying to do at/with the show. It seems a bit flat and a bit busy to me. Might be better to focus on a particular item or subject, like the blue door or the Power Tool Sign/door - that looks like the main point of interest here.

KAC

thanks. it's my first two shows ever so truth be told, I don't have a clue what I am trying to do. My best work is not themed and I don't know how that would go over having everything from urban to landscape...

what I'd love to do at some point (maybe now?) is to find one or two spots like this and shoot the bejeebies out of them. I'd start with something like the above but offer several perspectives including some fairly close up stuff.

[bikerider]

I can see several good photos in this one scene, great textures and colours to be brought out. I'd go back and shoot the scene from as many angles as possible.

[Etienne]

thanks, I did very little pp so far, a little on the highlights, and some brightness and that's about it. I'll have a look at doing some more although I am not a wizard with pp so I try to keep things simple. That said, I'd be happy to try any suggestions if you'll give me a little help.

Hi Scott
Would be pleased to, there are a lot of guys around though that are MUCH more qualified than I am!
Take care
Etienne

[namasste]

Hi Scott
Would be pleased to, there are a lot of guys around though that are MUCH more qualified than I am!
Take care
Etienne

I just want to give a huge shout out to Etienne. Totally showed me how to begin making these images better and took more time than I could have ever asked for to do so. WOOT!! Etienne owns!

[sapearl]

Hi Scott - I like the gritty detail of it (remind you of somebody?:lol:) I wonder how it would look if you cropped about 10% or so off the bottom, up to the bottom of the side molding of that garage door. I feel the blank sidewalk at the bottom takes away a little bit from it.

And as Etienne already mentioned, up the contrast a little, and maybe bump the sharpenning to make that peeling paint stand out. - Stu

[sapearl]

Btw Scott - now you've got me REALLY curious. Is this a one man show or something else locally. Inquiring minds are chomping at the bit :lol:

[namasste]

Btw Scott - now you've got me REALLY curious. Is this a one man show or something else locally. Inquiring minds are chomping at the bit :lol:

Stuart, there is no way I'd be into a one man show yet, lol! I might have some stuff on display in the Caxton soon but not sure yet. The two I am doing are small. One is through my church although they are handling it like any juried show. Basically they are trying to get all the "artists" in the church to come out of the woodwork. Still, cool idea. The other show is through Bay Arts Center (Baycrafters). It's a really small juried show middle of October so there's still time if you are interested. I am also going to have some stuff on display in the coffee house there for sale during October. I even got offered money for shooting our soccer team all season (I declined since I really just want to do it for all the parents). Man, I'm so pro!!!:lol::lol: (if I could make this little guy roll around I would!).

Do you recognize that spot in the pic? I had never been to that location before but I accessed it by going under I90 from Tremont (heading back towards downtown), then hanging a left under the rail line.

[airfrogusmc]

Only 3 to 6 pieces would mean a group show. I would say pick pieces that work together. If you only have 3-6 it should be pretty easy. I had very large show 35 pieces actually got a write up in the Chicago Trib and the Oak Leaves a couple years ago. They were all B&W portraits. Find 3-6 images that show the best examples or what you feel your current work is about and find images that relate to one another in some visual or thematic way.

[namasste]

Only 3 to 6 pieces would mean a group show. I would say pick pieces that work together. If you only have 3-6 it should be pretty easy. I had very large show 35 pieces actually got a write up in the Chicago Trib and the Oak Leaves a couple years ago. They were all B&W portraits. Find 3-6 images that show the best examples or what you feel your current work is about and find images that relate to one another in some visual or thematic way.

with those creds, I'm listening! I'll have to give some serious thought to how I'll do this. Probably go with an urban theme since I have more there that I like and feel are decent. Bums me out a little since one of my better pieces doesn't "fit". I could always do a local shots theme. I have a feeling these would sell more but then I'd feel like I'm selling out for the business of it and that's really not what I'm in it for. If I make money too, great but I really just want to take pictures and hopefully folks like em.

[airfrogusmc]

My advice is go with your best work not what you think will sell. I never been able to gage a market :rolleyes: :lol:. Everything I think will move doesnt and the stuff I thought were really good images but didn't think were commercial enough seemed to go right away.

[namasste]

My advice is go with your best work not what you think will sell. I never been able to gage a market :rolleyes: :lol:. Everything I think will move doesnt and the stuff I thought were really good images but didn't think were commercial enough seemed to go right away.

thanks and funny you say this. just today I had my wife look at a bunch of shots to pic her favorites and on more than one, I had only one question.. ."really"?

[airfrogusmc]

Scott good luck and let us know how things turn out.

[namasste]

Scott good luck and let us know how things turn out.

will do for sure, thanks for the encouragement!

[sapearl]

Hey, a show is a show is a show - which is a fine place to have your work featured. Any sort of public display is always good PR and an opportunity in my book.;)

I don't recognize the spot in question. There are so many nooks and crannies in and around the Flats that it's easy to drive right by them on or off the freeway. Some of the cooler places are often interesting photographically, but lorded over by no trespassing signs and over-zealous security guards. I actually had a recent incident.... but that's a subject for a blog article I'm considering....:rolleyes:

I have heard of Baycrafters, but being an East sider we don't get that far out west very often just for pleasure driving. I hear they do a nice job. Speaking of shows, I mentioned in an earlier thread (and not to hijack this one) but a local show opens this evening down on the Cleveland State Campus in the Levin College of Urban affairs:

http://www.urban.csuohio.edu/forum/photo_contest_submissions.shtml

I was fortunate enough to have 4 of my 5 submissions accepted, which will be hanging with 36 other pieces from 26 area photographers. - Stu


Stuart, there is no way I'd be into a one man show yet, lol! I might have some stuff on display in the Caxton soon but not sure yet. The two I am doing are small. One is through my church although they are handling it like any juried show. Basically they are trying to get all the "artists" in the church to come out of the woodwork. Still, cool idea. The other show is through Bay Arts Center (Baycrafters). It's a really small juried show middle of October so there's still time if you are interested........

Do you recognize that spot in the pic? I had never been to that location before but I accessed it by going under I90 from Tremont (heading back towards downtown), then hanging a left under the rail line.

[namasste]

4 out of 5? AWESOME!!! I know I won't be there tonight as my wife has some stuff going on. Is is open during the day? I'd love to come by there tomorrow since it's walking distance from my office. Nice job on it Stu. Really.

[Etienne]

I just want to give a huge shout out to Etienne. Totally showed me how to begin making these images better and took more time than I could have ever asked for to do so. WOOT!! Etienne owns!

Hi Scott
No problem, it was nice chatting to you. Good luck with the show!
Take care
Etienne

[sapearl]

Thank you Scott - I was pleasant surprised when I got my notice. I was up against some very good work and talented photographers. But with the opening being downtown on a dreary day in the middle of rush hour I'm not sure how many folks will be there. Regarding times of operation, here's what they say:

"Envisioning Cleveland is part of Our Place in the Urban Age, a year-long exploration of the issues and opportunities facing Northeast Ohio, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

The exhibit runs through December 2007. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."

Looks like there's good opportunity for a stroll over during the day.:D

4 out of 5? AWESOME!!! I know I won't be there tonight as my wife has some stuff going on. Is is open during the day? I'd love to come by there tomorrow since it's walking distance from my office. Nice job on it Stu. Really.

[namasste]

Never really though tof it but Etienne did a b/w conversion and I think this migh tbe the way to go with this one. Anyone have any thoughts?

http://namasste.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p712034865-4.jpg

Stu, lemme know if you are going to be there during the day tomorrow at all and I'll schedule my visit to be able to say hi. Love to meet you in person.

[sapearl]

That B/W conversion of Etienne's has so real potential - it's got a nice look to it with a good level of sharp contrast that gives it some depth. I like that that he cropped the bottom sidewalk.

As a matter of fact Scott we just got back from the show a little while ago - hit a restaurant downtown to celebrate :D. Unfortunately I won't be able to get away from work tomorrow but it would be nice to meet sometime.;)