Decaying Nature close up...

[Ivan Muller]

...all these images were made with a compact fixed lens aps-c camera. Read about my technique and some more images here at....http://thelazytravelphotographer.blogspot.com/

[Midphase]

Not what I was expecting from the title of this thread...

[sandymandy]

Same Not really close

[Rienzphotoz]

Don't mean to be mean, but the title and the pics do not match, even the composition is not compelling.

[aparis99]

I was hoping for something more like this
http://apimagery.zenfolio.com/ln/h4934F6A8#h4934f6a8

No offense, but there's no creative composition here and the technique looks like point camera at something and push the shutter button

[Rienzphotoz]

Ivan don't take it the wrong way ... think of it as constructive criticism ... I read your blog and saw the photos you took at Millstream resort ... if the photos were taken for documenting / forensic purposes then they are good ... but artistically they really don't cut it ... for that kind of place you need to get really close to capture the details and color, contrast etc ... a macro lens is perfect for these places ... you can even try HDR ... do a google search for inspiration and ideas e.g https://www.google.com.qa/search?q=plant+decay&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=69D&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=i95AUa_BKqbU4QS5xoHgAw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=687#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=nUt&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=macro+photography+of+tree+decay&oq=macro+photography+of+tree+decay&gs_l=img.3...18105.31121.0.31743.30.30.0.0.0.0.477.5793.10j8j3j4j5.30.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.Uo1kt381Vz0&fp=1&biw=1280&bih=687&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&cad=b&sei=H99AUYaSBOrE4gSy3ICIDA

[Ivan Muller]

Thanks all for the comments! Title seems to be a problem, perhaps 'detail' would have been better, but these are certainly not macro shots if that was what everyone was hoping for. As for 'decay' I suppose we all have different ideas about it and these were merely mine. As for the compositions, well that's all personal, some hate these and others have loved it.. HDR look not really my thing and as always my images are more documentary than pictorial..

[rpt]

I was hoping for something more like this
http://apimagery.zenfolio.com/ln/h4934F6A8#h4934f6a8

No offense, but there's no creative composition here and the technique looks like point camera at something and push the shutter button

That is a lovely picture.

[robbymack]

I don't "get it" either (just my opinion dont flame me for it). I don't see any real intention here other than to photograph "something". Which, for the record, is totally fine. I don't think every image needs to have some kind of artistic intent or weight dispite what others may tell you.  I also guess from the title of the blog, "the lazy travel photographer" this is just a hobby, and you enjoy taking photographs. As such keep it up. Some of your subjects are interesting, ie the impoverished folks a few posts down on your blog. I think those photos could have been improved by a little bit of composition or staging but if your intent is simply to create a record then they are perfectly fine.

[rpt]

I like the third picture. Thanks for sharing.

[tomscott]

Hi Ivan,

I have to agree with some of the comments above. I had a look at your blog and I dont think you choose the best images from that set. The way you have described your process fits these images although I like the awkward slightly unappealing nature of them.

I also had a look at your other images.

12 minutes in Booysens. I think these are great, the awkwardness of the images and the documentary style is great. Reminds me much of Walker Evans. The documents are not aesthetic, they are very revealing and awkward.

The general public and the Farm Security Administration hated Edward westerns photographic style. What I would say is keep shooting. If you were doing a fine art photography course you could easily exhibit those Booysens pics. They would be appreciated more, unlike the aesthetic snappers style on a forum like this. No offence meant to the forum users

[kynadog]

Just checked out your blog.  Love the b+w lanscapes and the homeless pictures tell a great story.  Well done!

[Ivan Muller]

Thanks all once again for the comments! I make a living as a professional photographer shooting architecture, interiors, people etc. I have done this since leaving college where I studied photography. I have had a few exhibitions of my work mostly on documentary themes. The 'lazy photographers blog' is mostly about personal images, experiences and experiments. In the commercial world I work for clients and according to briefs, and usually here I try to make images with impact. For my personal work I try and do the exact opposite which means quieter images that are not intended to be 'wow' from the word go but rather images that grows on one over time...and as I have said before, images that are more documentary in nature and with a somewhat austere look about them. I don't like 'perfect' compositions and I don't try and 'shoot' according to a formula, especially the 'rule of thirds'. I believe there are no rules!  I also don't necessarily post the 'best' images here. I see forums as vehicles where I can gather other photographers opinions good and bad, I really do appreciate both because it helps me to see through other's eyes....and sometimes the negative responses to a 'bad' image, will tell me a lot more than positive responses from 'good' images....