14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Off I77 where???

SuKai Loc: California

I couldn't resist. I processed 2 of them in Photomatix and here's how the outcome was. The one with the walk way didn't look good no mater how I tried it so I used Picasa and just saturated it with more color, contrast and highlights. I didn't spend much time on that one.

Grunge effect in Photomatix warm filter


Grunge effect in Photomatix


Lighting, Contrast, and Saturated in Picasa

Timarron Loc: Southwest

I could be wrong, but it appears these three shots were all taken from a standing position, which is a common thing a lot of folks don't realize often results in an average photo. Sometimes, getting down low or shooting under something or along a wall or fence line gives a sense of movement and perspective you can't get by standing in front of something and just clicking the shutter.

I tweaked the image just to show what a little playing around in post can do. I'm not in love with my own effort here, but just post it as an example of how an image can be altered a bit.

Added a little Tonemapping, just a quick example

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

A very strange building. Where is the dog? lol

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I think Biker_Chic is on the right track with some HDR and other effects. I would also try cropping different parts of that first picture. You might pull out something interesting.
Somehow I get the impression it was some kind of religious building.
One more thing...try to erase the power lines & other signs of civilization.

forbescat

Now that the conversation has turned to HDR instead of the original pictures, a different message is being sent to beginning photographers. The new message is to forget about doing any kind of thoughtful work and to just use other means. I have enjoy all of the wonderful pp work we have seen in other posts but this op asked for comments on these pictures, not how to mask weaknesses.

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

(sigh)...let us not forget that art, abstract or not, always impacts different people in different ways. I had a student that wanted only shoot water towers. Although I did not find the subject interesting or revealing, they were enjoying the experience. The test is to see that they can improve the techniques and the eye. It takes some people a while to develope abilities to "see" the result. Some will never make it, but I personally make allowances for talent. It is usually not a genetic trait...all I'm saying is that disparaging remarks should not be the first response.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

[quote=Bobber]I have some difficulty with reacting to pictures offered for criticism with out some input about what the photog doubts about it, or what they are unsure of, or what direction they want reactions to come from. It is like putting up a problem photograph without the meta details.

But, it takes some time for folks coming here to find out how the forum works best, and it can't be helped.

Then there is a lot of praise that is laid on that does not say much about what makes the praise worth the trouble. Pretty and its ilk are not much of a reaction. It is as much benefit to the commenter as it is to the proud parent. Stopping to recognize what it is that is liked might be something useful to remember. Say something specific about what in the photo contributes to its quality. But, that is going to be the way it is and I'll pass over those comments to something more interesting.

I have the same attitude towards negative reactions. Ugly, or what ever, such a characterization is not enough to contribute much of value to any process. It is a dog running on one leg. I would prefer that people would be [i] direct [i/]in that they not only pull their trigger, but also call their shots. I want to hear specifics. If not, then be quiet. Such short-of-legs negative reactions serve only to crush without any redeeming return. Running people away from the forum defeats at least part of the function for which the forum to exist. Not all of us are prepared to suffer direct put downs, deserved or not, and plow on. Do we ever become so expert, that we need not care where our where our whips of righteous observation land? If there is medicine to be given, a little sugar certainly is a fine carrier to get it to where it will do some good. Medicine should be healing, not merely poisonous. True, poison eliminates the problem, but there are better ways.[/quote]

House? What house? The conversation between you two is far more interesting.......guess that's my comment on the pics too.

mdeman Loc: Damascus, Maryland

Sometimes less is more. I tried de-emphasizing the house and focusing on the pathway into the empty future, with hazards along the way. Do any of you get that kind of emotional hit of off this variation?

ISO100 Loc: Richland City Indiana

Leading lines, diagonals, rule of thirds, c curve, s curve, pattern, symmetry, texture, depth of field, framing, perspective, space, balance, color. . . . .All of these are elements of composition that you can teach people to look for when they are shooting photographs. If a person does not know of these things and what they are they can be taught to look for them and use them to improve their photographs. No photographer uses all of them in one photograph. If you don't know S Curves in composition then I can show you examples -- therefore teaching compositional elements. I know of no one that comes into photography knowing everything, and I have taught photography classes for nearly 40 years. Bottom line, if you don't know the elements and someone shows and explains them then you have been taught. Respectfully posted by a UHH member.

forbescat

And I would put the responsibility for learning on the photographer. Information is available without much effort but a lot of folks seem to want to be spoon fed each and every step. Personal pride should spur this learning. Why have a camera if you don't know how to use it beyond what button does what. A hobby does not need to be all consuming but if you are going to post on a public forum, have respect for the medium and for the people from whom you are requesting time and brain power.

Judddude Loc: Missouri

Building cool, snapshot bad. Yep, you jumped out in a hurry a took a snapshot.

forbescat

LOL, that's boiling it down to its essence!

northshore Loc: St. Paul, MN

I find the subject intriguing-- I'd love to spend some time there in different lighting conditions, and just walk around, trespassing to my heart's content and hoping the dog is long-gone. Close-ups, different angles could be interesting, and there may be some truly good perspectives just out of sight from the road/front/right-of-way. Then comes the question-- how much trespassing can you get away with.

I can certainly see what you found compelling. It's now a question of how best to capture that feeling.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

Forbescat...why did you get up so grouchy today?
Maybe you should give us some examples of your
photos that "prove a point"