Old Chair (my first attempt at a still pic)

This is my first "still" picture...CC welcome!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oBMG​ZM

My opinion is worth what you paid for it, but too me, if the chair is the subject it needs to all be in focus with a wider DOF, the top back is starting to get out of focus. Another way this could go is to make the box on the chair the subject, and for that I'd bring up the blue lettering and red rust a little to make it stand out.

I'm not sure if I love or hate the bokeh on the trees way in the background. It's different. I think it's best said as I like it for what it is but I don't think I should even notice it in this picture, so it's actually distracting. (Not much you can do about that i guess, what Lens was this BTW?)

travisvwright wrote in post #17118306
My opinion is worth what you paid for it, but too me, if the chair is the subject it needs to all be in focus with a wider DOF, the top back is starting to get out of focus. Another way this could go is to make the box on the chair the subject, and for that I'd bring up the blue lettering and red rust a little to make it stand out.

I'm not sure if I love or hate the bokeh on the trees way in the background. It's different. I think it's best said as I like it for what it is but I don't think I should even notice it in this picture, so it's actually distracting. (Not much you can do about that i guess, what Lens was this BTW?)

Thanks for the feed back. I did try and make the container with the old dead plant in it the main focus but maybe i missed focus on that too? As for making the colors pop more..I had them set pretty high and on my screen they do pop...but my screen could be off as I have never had it calibrated.

Again thanks for your feed back!

travisvwright wrote in post #17118306
My opinion is worth what you paid for it, but too me, if the chair is the subject it needs to all be in focus with a wider DOF, the top back is starting to get out of focus. Another way this could go is to make the box on the chair the subject, and for that I'd bring up the blue lettering and red rust a little to make it stand out.

I'm not sure if I love or hate the bokeh on the trees way in the background. It's different. I think it's best said as I like it for what it is but I don't think I should even notice it in this picture, so it's actually distracting. (Not much you can do about that i guess, what Lens was this BTW?)

That's all fine and well, and I don't necessarily disagree, but I don't want to start there. Technical details absolutely matter, but this is a conceptual image that isn't just about a chair or a flower box. Nailing down the technical aspects won't mean a thing if the statement doesn't get across, and this image is bringing up several questions. Such as...

1) Why is the potted plant dead? Why not use a live plant?

2) Why did the photographer use a flower box which is emblazoned with the word "fresh"? Does that obvious conflict between decay and freshness work in this image?

3) Why is the chair decayed?

4) Why a chair? Is there a reason for that? Would a stool or a log not have conveyed the same message?

5) Why is the surrounding environment lush and green, instead of being as dead as the chair and the potted plant?

Again, not saying that I disagree with you. But this image doesn't seem to be about a chair or a potted plant. It seems to be a highly contrived image that is about the relationship between things, and I think there should be at least an equal focus on critiquing what those relationships actually say.

Personally, I think a good artful pic is supposed to do exactly that: raise questions in your mind ! Yes, the word is "Fresh" ... and we all noticed that - and realized it contrasted with "decay".

To me, the biggest contrast was "all alone on the bright green grass". It reminded me of a statue I saw on the lawn of the Ringling museum - it was of a maiden tied to the top of a raging bull ... again on a field of bright green grass.

Contrasts can be good. This wasn't a smooth pic of a beautiful flower - it is what it is.

A better title would be:

Farm Fresh

This image made me smile!
I like the irony created by the words "farm fresh" and the overall state of decay.
I like the lines, curves and assumed tactile qualities presented in this image.
Thanks for sharing this momaof2.
--Shawn

Thanks all of you for our comments....I was very interested in everything you all had to say. It brought up conversation so there for my picture was a success in my eyes.

PapaGary wrote in post #17124284
A better title would be:

Farm Fresh

You know what I agree and I will change the title

bubbygator wrote in post #17124254
Personally, I think a good artful pic is supposed to do exactly that: raise questions in your mind ! Yes, the word is "Fresh" ... and we all noticed that - and realized it contrasted with "decay".

To me, the biggest contrast was "all alone on the bright green grass". It reminded me of a statue I saw on the lawn of the Ringling museum - it was of a maiden tied to the top of a raging bull ... again on a field of bright green grass.

Contrasts can be good. This wasn't a smooth pic of a beautiful flower - it is what it is.

Well, raising questions is a good start, but it's often not enough. Is THIS a good photograph? I don't know. I'm just saying that the questions sort of need be be addressed first in order to see what relevance the technicalities have. What is being communicated here? How effectively has that been communicated? Once that's addressed, then it's possible to give technical suggestions to help better express what is being stated.

I like the concept and the chair/plant.

The trees are kind of weirding me out.

Thanks...What do you mean trees?