I wasn't going to enter any challenges this week but I kind of got shanghaid into it. I was desperate since we have had nothing but sunless skies for days. Finally, at around 6 pm today (Sat.June 10) the sun peeped from behind the clouds. I grabbed my camera and during the intermintent times the sun actually emerged I grabbed some shots in my back yard. I love the peeling paint on my garage door and this empty beer bottle was sitting on the picnic table nearby. At first I just took pictures of the bottle but I felt it was lacking interest. I plucked some weeds from nearby and stuck them in the bottle and was fairly satisfied with the results. I don't expect to do too well, especially since I got a bit creative with the curves and selective color adjustments. I like how it turned out though. I also cropped a teeny bit from the top and converted to black and white before fiddling with selective color. EV -0.3
Statistics
Place: 80 out of 154 Avg (all users): 5.4944 Avg (commenters): 7.1111 Avg (participants): 5.3623 Avg (non-participants): 5.5766 Views since voting: 1118 Views during voting: 268 Votes: 180 Comments: 11 Favorites: 1 (view)
First impression and overall look:
My first impression on this photo is that it is very classical, composition wise. You used the rule of thirds well on the vertical axis, and the weight of the image is nicely distributed. There is a good balance between the heavy part on the left, and the quiet part on the right, although I'm not sure if you should have left the bit of wood on the right in.
On the horizontal exis, I feel that the weight of the image is slightly downwards and I think you could have included more of the ground. As it is now, the dark part of the ground is not adding anything to the image and maybe you should have included a bit more of it.
I like the texture on the wall, and the sepia tones are a good choice for this image. It sets the mood well.
Technical and post processing:
Not much to say here. Technically it all seems well in order. You didn't go overboard in post processing, which adds to the nonstalgic feel to the image. Personally I would choose either a black or white border. Having them both there does not add anyting.
Meeting the challenge:
Well, it's a shadow, so nothing to say here.
How to raise your score:
There isn't much of a wow factor in this image. Although it's technically all fine, there isn't anything that makes you come back to this photo to have another look. I realise that's the whole idea, but it doesn't make the voters of DPC give you a high score.
This is a lovely, thoughtful photograph. It has a lot more to offer than at first appears ... life, growth, decay, neglect; all that stuff and probably more. And it's quiet, too; nothing gimmicky, obvious or flashy about it. That gives it the durability and timelessness that any genuine Still Life ought to have. 8.
For an image that depends on a subtle graduation of light and shade, your border is extrordinarily imposing and clunky; your handling of the highlights of this image doesn't seem to be in your control either - and the broad white band of that border just adds proof to the sense that you've taken the highlights too far and lost all sense of detail. Compositionally, it might well have worked extremely well, but it shows evidence of not understanding whay exposure was required and controlling that in post-processing. You have, nevertheless, achieved a strong sense of heat, which might have stoof the image in good stead if the subject demanded it - but a still life - I can't see how this feeling of out-of-control exposure sits with the image you're presenting. Shows a strong sense fo composition, spatially, also.
A good attempt, I'd say; but needing more expertise to be brought to bear.
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