I hadn't planned to enter this challenge but was at the Mill Mountain Zoo (Roanoke, VA) and spotted this little guy posing for me on the bleached out skull. I couldn't resist. Not sure if it's "desolate" enough, but I'm pleased with how it turned out and the prairie dog was a VERY cooperative model. I got some great close-ups that I will post after the challenge is over.
PP included: crop; selective layers of: curves/levels, burning/dodging, contrast, lighting/exposure, gradient blur, change hue; Mr. Contrast filter, added border, save for Web.
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What a cool shot to get to critique. I love this one and I thought it was well suited for the challenge. My challenge in critiquing it will be to find some constructive things to suggest for you.
I love the tones here and the monochromatic feel. I love how contrasty you made it, too. I think both really enhance the mood of the image. The little prairie dog is perfectly sharp and you got great texture in his fur.
My favorite part of the image is the composition. I really like how you broke the rule of thirds and put him so far over in the frame. I think it is especially appropriate for the 'desolation' theme. It draws attention to all of the empty space in the frame that he is facing. In fact, if you had room, I think you could have made this an even skinnier aspect ratio (like 5x7 maybe?) and had even more space for him to look into.
I can't tell exactly what your aperature was, maybe it was F10? You mention gradient blur in your notes, so I am thinking you used the blur to make it look like shallower DOF than you really had. If this was shot at F10, I would suggest opening up more and letting the DOF fall off more naturally. It seems like there is a kind of abrupt transition where you faded the blur in, right about the middle of the frame if I am looking at it right. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks, but it looks a little off to me.
Zoo shots are tough to get a good angle, I know. In a perfect scenario, I would suggest getting a little bit lower for this shot, but that probably wasn't possible.
Really cool shot. In fact, I am adding it to my favorites. Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions about my comments.
Jimmy, this has excellent texture and a multiplicity of meanings. Sorry it didn't fare better. I rememeber going as a child to Mill Mt. Zoo and waiting FOREVER for one of those guys to come out. You lucky boy! Sis
I loved this Jimmy, on several levels. It's different, with the guy standing on the old weathered bleached out skull. Sorry it didn't do better for you.
Nice shot Jimmy! Love the contrast between life and death and felt the position of the animal really emphasized the desolate aspect...like it realizes where it is and is searching for someplace better to be. Well done!
Cute picture, I think I'd like to see just the skull and surrounding area, not the prairie dog(?). I think just the skull and land would be perfect for this challenge.
this is such a Georgia O'Keefe picture, with extra fur. The addition of a living creature who seems to be at one with his surroundings the way Georgia wanted to be at one, adds a profound twist. 8.
INteresting without doubt. But the position of the protagonist within the frame is a bit odd. I expect you had very valid reasons for it being that way though - perhaps there was a Macdonalds restaurant just to the right ;-)
What a refreshing change from children at gravesites and heads in hands! I love the horn of the old dried skull pointing right to the prairie dog's hole. Nice off centering. This is really good. Love the title. ;=D
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