C&C please

[Espike]

Hey guys, I am new to the forums, but have been visiting the site for a while now. I've had a camera for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I was hoping to get some critique for this shot. What do you guys think?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eric_diaz/7253304526/#in/photostream

 

[Kernuak]

Hey guys, I am new to the forums, but have been visiting the site for a while now. I've had a camera for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I was hoping to get some critique for this shot. What do you guys think?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eric_diaz/7253304526/#in/photostream

I like the lighting, but for me it is lacking a strong element. The repeating shapes of the pillars aren't strong enough to hold the image together and there isn't another focal point. Try framing to emphasies shapes and textures or maybe use the location for a portrait shoot.

 

[Espike]

OK, I've heard that before for this pic. I'll definitely be exploring options for a shoot here. Lots of places to hide lights in there too.

 

[Orangutan]

My critique is that I'm not sure I can evaluate it as-is. Kernuak says it lacks a "strong element," but I'm not convinced. I think the problem is that a photo like this needs to be printed very large because it has several strong elements. In my limited, personal, non-pro experience, the smaller the photo, the more it needs a single strong element or theme. This photo seems to be well-composed and well-captured, but I'd want to see it printed 36" wide before I'd pass judgement on whether it "works."

 

[RichATL]

What is the point of the photograph?

Like Ansel Adams once said...
"Nothing worse than a sharp image with a fuzzy concept"

 

[Espike]

What is the point of the photograph?

Like Ansel Adams once said...
"Nothing worse than a sharp image with a fuzzy concept"

That's a damn good question. I don't really know the answer. I walk past this garage everyday on my way to work, but on this particular day, "something" caught my eye. It wasn't until later on that night when I saw it on my PC that I really thought it looked good. I guess I would call it a lucky shot. I haven't been able to replicate it since then. The lighting is just never right (nor do I think it ever will be).

 

[DJL329]

Try cropping it so that the two pillars in the foreground are the edges of the frame, so that all you see is the repeating pattern. You can also remove the ground and leaves from the bottom.

And, as someone on Flickr mentioned, try it in B&W. If color isn't part of your composition, then remove it.

 

[Espike]

Definitely gives me something to try tonight after work. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[awinphoto]

For what its worth, It's a nice starting point, but it lacks direction. As photographers, you want to have a clear message, a clear path, a clear thing you want the viewer to look to. Portraits, it is the eyes/face, for buildings/architecture, it is the overall scene, a path where the viewer feels like it is there and can "walk" around the scene in their minds eye. for nature, you are looking for a focal point or some apex to lead your viewer into the scene, like a trail, or mountain range, or strong foreground elements. You have a neat place to shoot and a nice starting point, but next you have to think "what do you want the viewer to see", "what directions/lines/paths are the viewer going to take when looking at my work" and "what is the best angle to lead your viewer into the scene to the area that you want your viewer to see." It's nice but there are so many strong lines that the eye doesn't quite know where to go and what to go from there. if it's symmetry you are looking for... a few feet to the left and you got it, if you want strong lines, maybe add another element like a car, person, whatever traveling up/down the ramps showing the viewer a path of travel. Hope this helps.

 

[paul13walnut5]

I love the repitition and congruence, the video guy in me could imagine a tension building slow zoom on this.

I take what others saying about the lack of a focal point, but not every image needs that, however I do think patterns work far better when there is something in the shot to break the pattern.

I would also consider re-taking the image at another time of day. There is too much contrast here, softer external light would have evened up the tonality a bit more, or a more directional light could have added a bit more drama.

Finally, to my eye it's just a little soft. Maybe diffraction creeping in? It's as if the camera has stopped down for the very bright light in centre frame, and so back to my earlier point about a different time of day / different external light.

I like the image a lot, I have a thing for interesting architectual shots, and this is definately one, but I think theres more in it for you with a re-attempt.

I hope this is taken as constructive and encouraging, as that is very much how it's meant.

 

[Espike]

Wow, great comments! Thanks everyone. I did go out and try it again with a sharper lens, but I didn't nail it this time either. I went back only 5 minutes later to have another go and there was no light in there as usual. I'll need to come back on a weekend with some extra gear to really explore the place. I just hope security doesn't mind as this place is off limits to employees and the patrol pretty often.

 

[awinphoto]

Wow, great comments! Thanks everyone. I did go out and try it again with a sharper lens, but I didn't nail it this time either. I went back only 5 minutes later to have another go and there was no light in there as usual. I'll need to come back on a weekend with some extra gear to really explore the place. I just hope security doesn't mind as this place is off limits to employees and the patrol pretty often.

What? Your saying you CANT just waltz in with studio strobes and fire away for the heck of it? =) Have fun with it. If you can squeeze a tripod with you, that and liveview may be a good way to help nail focus. Also make sure your shutter is fast enough to eliminate shake. exactly what camera/lenses/flashes do you have at your disposal?

 

[kazeye]

I'd also like to see it printed large because it looks like there's a lot of details that always look better on poster size prints. I've noticed very simple photos look good on the web, but not always great in large prints.

I do see something artistic in it too. I see the rule of thirds both vertically and horizontally, strong vertical lines and high contrast. I like that it's not distorted either.

I think if the same image were by Andreas Gursky and printed giant size, it'd be worth millions

 

[gary]

I really like the photo, I agree that it would be better seen in large print but the fact there is no focal point for me is the point, The emptiness broken by the light, I may be in the minority. I also like the faint colour but would like to see a black and white version. Nice work.

 

[Espike]

Wow, great comments! Thanks everyone. I did go out and try it again with a sharper lens, but I didn't nail it this time either. I went back only 5 minutes later to have another go and there was no light in there as usual. I'll need to come back on a weekend with some extra gear to really explore the place. I just hope security doesn't mind as this place is off limits to employees and the patrol pretty often.

What? Your saying you CANT just waltz in with studio strobes and fire away for the heck of it? =) Have fun with it. If you can squeeze a tripod with you, that and liveview may be a good way to help nail focus. Also make sure your shutter is fast enough to eliminate shake. exactly what camera/lenses/flashes do you have at your disposal?

I used a T2i with a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 (not the OS version). I also have the kit lens, my trusty 50 1.8, a 430 EX II, and a tripod.

 

[Espike]

I'd also like to see it printed large because it looks like there's a lot of details that always look better on poster size prints. I've noticed very simple photos look good on the web, but not always great in large prints.

I do see something artistic in it too. I see the rule of thirds both vertically and horizontally, strong vertical lines and high contrast. I like that it's not distorted either.

I think if the same image were by Andreas Gursky and printed giant size, it'd be worth millions

Thanks!

 

[Espike]

Try cropping it so that the two pillars in the foreground are the edges of the frame, so that all you see is the repeating pattern. You can also remove the ground and leaves from the bottom.

And, as someone on Flickr mentioned, try it in B&W. If color isn't part of your composition, then remove it.

Here is a B&W version of the same thing with a little extra cropping for even MORE symmetry! I'm not used to B&W so I'm not sure if it works better or not...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eric_diaz/7253304526/#in/photostream

 

[scottkinfw]

I like the composition and the concept. I love the leaves in the foreground, the parallel lines, and the overall dark feel to it.

I think the focus is a bit soft however.

I would suggest going back with a tripod, and play with different exposure settings, and even go during different times of the day just to see what else you see when you pop it on the computer.

Nice job.

sek

Hey guys, I am new to the forums, but have been visiting the site for a while now. I've had a camera for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I was hoping to get some critique for this shot. What do you guys think?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eric_diaz/7253304526/#in/photostream

 

[serendipidy]

I am just a novice and like you, have just started joining forums. When I viewed your photo I liked it a lot. I was going to say exactly what DJL329 said but was beaten to the punch. I think by cropping you would remove some distraction and the repeating pattern which remained would focus the viewer's attention to your main theme. I like color more than B&W and if you could get someone with a bright red or yellow expensive sports car to park near the far window, I think that might add a focal point of interest. I agree with the comments made about sharpness and DR/contrast. Perhaps a bit of HDR to overcome that if you can't re-take it at a different lighting setup. Being a novice, I have never used Photoshop or Lightroom to PP so I don't know if that could improve the image also. My compliments on a very nice composition. Sounds like your shot was serendipitous

 

[RAKAMRAK]

Dear OP, Comparing the B&W and the "color" version, I prefer the B&W. In fact before you posted the reply saying that there is a B&W version, I was thinking of asking you to convert it to B&W, as the few points of color were not adding much value.

My second thought is that there is too much in the picture. Specially to the right and left of the two front pillars. So you might look at a cropped version of the photo and see if you like that or not. If you do not want to crop at all, then may be you can go back to this place again and try to capture the same scene with just one car parked. Think about that composition.

Third, I think it is a completely available light photograph. So if you have access to a tripod, then you might want to capture the same vista with a bit more exposure (or try to add fill light/exposure in post processing) to bring out a bit more of the shadow details. Or you may want to wait for change of season and see if the angle of sun does some trick or not.

But you have good eyes to see that such an everyday scene can also be captured. Enjoy!