This is a photo I submitted for the Unique Lighting contest in May and it fits the challenge for this month.
I saw this car and I knew one day I had to capture it and I envisioned in my mind exactly how. That scenario was taking longer to present itself so I took the closest opportunity and did my best.
This is actually my first attempt placing a flash at various angles to illuminate different areas and stacking them in PS to mask out unwanted parts. What's crazy to me is how unreal the scene looks. I've explained to many that it's an actual photo and not AI.
This ultimately garnered a 2.43 in the contest. What work do you think this needs?
Voters can be real cruel.
I like the composition and light placement. Is there a chance for a reshoot when there is a touch of fog? It's moody, but not moody enough. Perhaps that is what the Voters were looking for?
Definitely better than anything I could come up with, but don't use me as a scale for judging your photos 🤣
Thanks, Dean. Perhaps, but I thought it was pretty moody. I would definitely do a reshoot if the elements presented themselves. On this day, the fog had mostly burned off so I decided to capture what I could. I appreciate your input.
Sometimes you have to photograph with the cards you are delt.
You could always rent a portable generator and fog machine🤔.
Dude! I think this is super cool. The voting in these CTCs is always f’ed up. I think it’s definitely at least a 3 maybe bordering on 4. I’m not sure what else I’d do though. As mentioned before some fog might take it to the next level. But you can only control what you can control.
This has inspired me to try something similar. There’s an old abandoned race track near my house. It was actually the first ever NASCAR track and the only remaining dirt track I believe. But there are two old abandoned cars out there. Definitely going to try this. I need to use my flash more often but as primarily a landscape photographer I just never think about it. Great shot, and thanks for the inspiration!
Occoneechee Speedway?
I'm a Big Left-Coast NASCAR fan since the early '70's.
Yes! Exactly! I live about 20 minutes from there. I’m going to out there this fall and try some of what Bruce Grant did here. There’s a couple of old broken down cars still left out there.
Thanks so much Kyle. I appreciate the rating and maybe I pay too much attention to it in the contests. I am honored this shot has given you inspiration and I'm excited to see your results! It's amazing that there are still some cars out there. Should make for a great shoot!
Nice photo, Bruce. Also I appreciated the explanation (various flash angles and stacking). The lighting is lovely. It has the feeling of woods during a full moon.
Thanks so much Jennifer!
I think this looks wonderful Bruce, and can't begin to tell you how to improve it.
I wouldn't use the ratings on fstoppers as any sort of barometer. You are attempting to cater to the tastes of the masses and people seem more than willing to mark down if it doesn't meet their personal criteria.
I have seen many wonderful images savaged by the community, making me wonder whether some would recognize a good photo if it slapped them in the face.
I find competitions in general very hit or miss - you are really at the mercy of individuals who may have a completely different aesthetic to your own.
Thank you, Alan. You are spot on about CTC ratings and I've seen the savagery you cite.
For me, I try to rate based on the topic of the contest, which is hard to do when you see a four star image but has little to do with the topic.
"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer."
~Ansel Adams
Hey Bruce, I think the processing is cool and sounds like the image was a good exercise in lighting and processing. I'd rate it a 3 on technical merit in a CTC, but what would take it to the next level for me is more staging or a clear narrative (e.g., a clothesline from the car to a tree with hanging clothes and a small campfire to infer that it had become someone's home).
As-is, it's just another abandoned vehicle that's been photographed in a cool way.
I appreciate the feedback. I'll keep your points in mind for future shoots!