critique plz

[RoB_m]

took this one today before it started raining again.
http://rexthewonderhorse.com/rob/waterpump.jpg

[RoB_m]

i kind of played with cropping it to almost square
http://rexthewonderhorse.com/rob/waterpump2.jpg

[LaurentiuB]

Could you try B&W ? I think that will be better.

[mbze430]

I know there is a message in the picture....but I just haven't figure it out yet.

[sixshot]

Strange shot and I like it, but not too sure why. Would like to see a b+w version.

[tim]

Nice, B&W might be cool too.

[Pekka]

I like the uncropped better. Good photo - makes you think.

[hollow]

uncropped for me too.

And like Pekka said, it makes you see the entire scenery.

[Wildewinds]

uncropped.

I like it too.

[RoB_m]

yeah i like the uncropped better after lookin at it for a little while. i tried messing with it in B&W and it just didn't seem right.

thanks for the responses. i'm glad many liked it, even if they didn't know why :]

[kawter2]

I like the uncropped version and the post processing really compliments the image well

[cyclone]

I like the uncropped version as well. I don't know if this is why, but the uncropped version tends to follow the rule of thirds better.

The crack tends to lead you to the valve, and then you follow it back out to the crack in the wall. I like the texture at the bottom of the wall, on the ground, and in the valve; it has an industrial look that appeals to me.

[mbze430]

Well as a critic your first question to yourself is what message/expression is the photographer trying to tell me. Is it a message? Is it a feeling? Is it an emotion? What does it "speak" to the viewer.

The funny thing with this is that, its asking the viewer to ask the picture back the same question. What are you trying to tell me?!?! LOL

I like it because it has that emotion.

[RoB_m]

i thought the scene told a story. when looking at the debrit, the crack leading to the water pipe, the dirt and texture i can almost feel the wear and tear the happened over time, and i try to think of what it all looked like brand new. i'm not trying to impose an idea or send a message to anyone about humanity. i'm asking you to come up with your own message and idea of what events took place and how the scene came to be what it was when i shot it.

on that note here's another image. i like this setting but i think i need someone sitting on that couch. someone equally as odd and interesting. like an old homeless man.
http://rexthewonderhorse.com/rob/couch.jpg

[cfcRebel]

I'm not into art, but i like both the pipe and the couch shots! I like the dull colors that you used. Did you PS them to achieve this effect?

[RoB_m]

I'm not into art, but i like both the pipe and the couch shots! I like the dull colors that you used. Did you PS them to achieve this effect?

thanks.
i get most of the effect from various tweaks in the raw conversion plugin, but i do fix it up a little once it's in photoshop.

[BlueTit]

I like the uncropped version too. Like others here I am not sure why I like the picture, I think it maybe the fact the it is "different" and makes you look twice to see what you are "seeing", you wonder what the subject is or what was it that made the photographer stop and take it. Anyway a very interesting and pleasing shot. I like. Unfortunately the couch does nothing for me, sorry.

[Chazs]

I like the uncropped version too. Like others here I am not sure why I like the picture, I think it maybe the fact the it is "different" and makes you look twice to see what you are "seeing", you wonder what the subject is or what was it that made the photographer stop and take it. Anyway a very interesting and pleasing shot. I like. Unfortunately the couch does nothing for me, sorry.

When I look at the couch, I see a person lying on it, but with only a 20% opacity; sort of like an aura.

As for the pipe in the wall, I like the uncropped version quite a bit; A "precarious anxiety". One more crack (or quake) and it'll blow.

[pjd83]

I quite like the couch. To me it says many different things. I think that is the main importance of any photograph...to stimulate your imagination. I'd love to have a huge print (say A3) to hang on my wall. The colours and tones are excellent. Very nice. Absolutley lovely.

[RoB_m]

here's me on the couch hehe.

http://rexthewonderhorse.com/rob/portrait.jpg