I can't say why, but I really like this image of the rotting fence. Please tell me if I'm confused or if you like it too.
I can't say why, but I really like this image of the rotting fence. Please tell me if I'm confused or if you like it too.
First off Michael, If you take only one thing from this group take.... you create art for you!
If you like this image that is, or should be, all that matters.
Trying to please others, especially in a time and place where every camera owner is a "photographer" is beyond impossible.
This image is a good example of your love of the little details, the beauty in the wabi-sabi of everyday life that you find compelling.
I am not going to pixel peep in to the meaningless technicals, nor am I going to ramble on about classical composition dogma, all I'm going to suggest is that you keep on exploring (and sharing your work with us) and you will come to know for yourself what works and what does not.
First off, Michael, I agree wholeheartedly with Julian's response!
Also, if you're confused, but like the image, that's probably a good thing. I'm not sure we can understand why we like things to any great extent. Photography in particular largely involves an intuitive response to the world - you have to frame up something you've selected, and expose. Only later do people often "see" the composition, read symbolic meaning in the image, and so on.
I like this image, and can see one reason on reflection: the knot reminds me of an eye, especially a reptile's eye, which in turn is slightly startling - am I up close and personal with a crocodile? And then I go back to enjoying the forms and textures for themselves. And I do find your composition pleasing and harmonious, without reference to any rules.
Awesome critique. Thanks for the input. It is greatly appreciated.
I'm never confused about decaying wood !! The textures, colours, swirls, fungi and cracks all combine to become natural art from nature. I actually nuture pieces like this in my greenhouse .. as weird as that sounds 😬!!
Hi Michael. I am pleased that you really like this image. As with Julian and Chris I feel it really important that we shoot to satisfy our own artistic tastes and as you have achieved that then the picture is a winner.
I really like the idea and your eye for interesting composition, detail and color. For my own personal taste my immediate impression is that this is a little too saturated - to qualify that I also tend away from the over-saturated landscapes that seem very popular (more so in the US for some reason) and more toward subtle toning.
The take-away here is that you have discovered something of interest and produced a credible image that you enjoy. The fact that you are open to critique indicates you are willing to listen to varying viewpoints, which whether you agree or now will ultimately lead you to taking better images (use feedback you agree with to strengthen your work, that you don't agree with to understand that we are all different).
Keep shooting, and always remain true to yourself.
BTW - being a community it is important that we hear feedback from others in these discussions. I hope you will be willing to offer your voice and help others - there is no right or wrong, only opinions.
.... as a further footnote.... have you considered converting to B&W? You would have so many options - here's a quick/dirt (near) B&W conversion just to give you an idea of what the base image may look like.
What Alan said! :-D
Thanks for the advise. And i have probably shot more B&W than color if you only count film, and it does look good. I didn't see it before I guess because i liked all the different colors, which is why I cranked up the saturation.