Boxed In

Out in the desert near Apache Junction, AZ. Have at it.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.frogdawg.co​m/p626298025/e2f123211

I like the colors of the weathered wood. makes me kinda wish the cross shadow wasn't there.

I think the shadows add to the shot but there could be more shadow-detail. And I'd clone out the only rounded thing (rock?) behind the fence rails camera left. It might make a nice HDR.

Agree with the rock, should go, and the shadow is too harsh. Cool shot overall.

I certainly think the image and the title work hand in hand. There is a crushing presence of no where to go in this image supported by the only real escape (the space between the fence boards) being of the same color scheme as the fence and boxes. The color palette is nearly monochromatic in earth tones which further reduces escape. Once I get over wanting to go somewhere the eye settles in on the subject which is similar shapes and tonal range of the same source; wood. The shadows provide a nice cross hatch of like shape reinforcing the essence of the scene. The scene is a bit busy but the relationship between similar subjects works well. There is gradation of subject size and function here.

jetcode wrote in post #13640131
I certainly think the image and the title work hand in hand. There is a crushing presence of no where to go in this image supported by the only real escape (the space between the fence boards) being of the same color scheme as the fence and boxes. The color palette is nearly monochromatic in earth tones which further reduces escape. Once I get over wanting to go somewhere the eye settles in on the subject which is similar shapes and tonal range of the same source; wood. The shadows provide a nice cross hatch of like shape reinforcing the essence of the scene. The scene is a bit busy but the relationship between similar subjects works well. There is gradation of subject size and function here.

Wow....you obviously did a whole lot more than just glance at the picture. I suspect you also took the time to view the larger version on black. It does make a huge difference in the impact. As I was wandering around the desert, I just happened to see this sitting on an old loading dock. The shadows worked for me as a method of closing the boxes in and containing their freedom. Thanks for the detailed review.

Wow, it really does make a difference with a black background. I don't know about ""no place to go", but I do agree with jetcode about the predominant orange color seems too monotone -- almost Nikonish (for some reason, Nikon images make me think that they have been shot through an 85B filter, at least that is the case with the earlier models). If the high-pass filter was used I think that it would look a bit more natural if faded to about half of what it is.

Overall, I like the composition of crisscrossing lines. Nice thinking inside/outside the box.

No high pass filter....not even sharpened beyond LR default import sharpening. Late afternoon light in the Arizona desert. Largest adjustment was in NIK Color Efex 3....tonal contrast. There was a definite orangish cast. Things were bleached heavily as a result of who knows how many years of sun exposure.

Saturation dropped 20. Not sure how this version will print.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.frogdawg.co​m/p549585955/e259e15fe

Woolburr wrote in post #13643177
Saturation dropped 20. Not sure how this version will print.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.frogdawg.co​m/p549585955/e259e15fe

Rock still stands out, but like this much better!

Second row of rails, orange still seems harsh

+1 for better over black
+1 for lowering the saturation
+1 for removing the rock between the rails

Love the texture and I think the shadows add more than they detract.

The second version looks more "natural" to me, but then maybe it takes too much away from the time of day element and results in middle-of-the-day lighting. Whatever you saw in your mind's eye is what it probably ought to be rather than what somebody else speculates is right.

Rock gone....50% desaturation.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.frogdawg.co​m/p549585955/e1aedbb0a

There was some really nice golden light.

Woolburr wrote in post #13643345
Rock gone....50% desaturation.

Much better I think. good job