Hi everyone,
I love coming to this site because everyone is extraordinary in their photography expression, and I would hope to one day have half the talents you all carry. I'm relatively new to photography, I've always loved taking pictures, but this year I have been trying to get serious about it. Please no put downs, just give me your honest critique on this photo (it's my favorite). I guess I'm just worried that someone will laugh at my amateurish pictures- just keep in mind, I am only a beginner. Please tell me what I could have done to make this picture better, and what you honestly think about it. The title of the photo I have named "Man's Destruction" and I'm sure you will get the message when you look at the photo. Thanks for looking:
//img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/OceansWave/Freelance%20Photography/MansDestruction.jpg
I am situated in front of my terrible monitor at work, so it is being viewed at its worst possible, and it still comes through as a very powerful image, as Gusto said. Judging by this one image, it looks like you have a great "eye" and know what to do with a camera! Welcome.
I love B&W, and this photo, although simple to look at first time, carries a strong message. I like its stark reality...a simple, but powerful photo...Well Done and show us some more soon.
I agree with what you've said about the purple sky, and would go further to think of a selective de-saturation, leaving only a "bleached out" yellow ribbon.
I think I would desat only the sky. The bits of green and the yellow bow would not be overpowered by anything besides the purple and they add a depth to the starkness.
Not that I'm old enough to have been there, but this reminds me of the destruction in Vietnam. (battle, napalm)
Even though construction tape is yellow, I think the color version could be confused with the currently pervasive symbolism of the yellow ribbon. What ever side of the political debates, everyone in the US is using the yellow ribbon to represent the American troops in Iraw and Afghanistan.
Thanks for pointing out the symbolism with the yellow ribbon, something I didn't think about when selecting colors. So, I changed the color of the ribbon, as to not send across a different message. Okay, here is my final piece, just tell me once again, if you like the B&W or this final version. Thanks everyone for your input.
I agree with the most here - the black and white is really a wonderful photo. I just loved it. It's powerful and interesting and it needs no retouching!
Jinjit, nico blue, jonpink- Thanks, I think you guys are right, perhaps I am overdoing what should be more simple. I appreciate the critiques, I guess I've just been wacko with photoshop trying to see what I can do (didn't have much luck before, and now I'm starting to "get it").
Kyebosh- I like what you did with that, I was unable to get out the purple & hints of green, that looks great.
