Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

This one is for you Linda :). A much simpler shot taken in a stairwell of the Capital Building in Lansing Michigan. I regret that I didn't get the mahogany railing in better focus. Do you think I should I remove it altogether? Play with it if you like.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I like this one. Not so much of a fun house feel to it. I like the lamp and the reflections and shadows it causes on the wall. I think a study of just this lamp; would be nice. The railing out of focus doesn't bother me, it puts the lamp and the arch in a stair way. It also completes a triangle of the arch, lamp and itself.
I wish I could remember to look for them while I am shooting, but I am getting so I find them in other's work so maybe there is hope. You have several in this composition.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks Dave! This is really lovely. A very pleasing study of light and curves and architecture.

I confess I tried a quick cloning of the railing just to see without :)

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Thanks CM, Thank you for your kind words.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

I'm glad you liked it Linda. As I said in the other post, I usually prefer the simpler compositions. Did you like the photo without the railing?

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hey Dirtpusher. I believe you have to be a little bit "Odd" to take this hobby seriously. :)

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

no chance of that... but it great like as is. rail lines make it..

dave there was no disrespect to you at all. when i saw that the picture. it reminded me of a brochure of long drapes i looked at. was was picture of long drapes on a wall. from a stair well. it was a twin almost to yours. if what i said offended you i do apologize, no problem doing that, nun intended.

guess the humor of it, was lil to dry.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

I think you need the railing to make sense of the shot and to give balance to the color scheme. The three items work together well. The focus looked reasonably OK to me.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Super composition. The rail is a bit soft; but it does not detract from the overall composition.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I'm the guy who thinks it should have been shot juuuussst enough closer to crop out the railing in camera (way easier than trying to clone it). Just holding my hand up and blocking the railing I like it. To me, the railing is incongruous; it's a third element in a picture that doesn't need the third element. There's the rigidly straight line of the hanging lamp, the rigidly straight lines of the walls, and the graceful arch disappearing into the wall. To me, the railing is an abrupt, jarring intrusion into the composition. I love the light and the shadows. I think it's a swell picture (yeah, I still say "swell" :-D ) but I don't care for the rail. I don't need to know that it's in a stairwell; I actually like the "where is it" mystery. :-)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I think so, for the reasons Chuck has since posted. However, it'd be way too much work to clone the original and have it look correct, what with the corner and shadows and light.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

No offense taken Dirtpusher. Thanks for commenting. :)

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Here's a quick lasso and fill. I'm not sure if I like it myself but I'd love to here what you guys think.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I have to apologize as my outside life has been crazy with my son's band. We just returned from playing at California Adventure Land and walked into a Pep Rally for our Football Team playing the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championship Game - They won! So I am a little behind and may be missing something, but... I don't get it?

Unless this is just not my taste, I don't get it at all as it looks like you pressed the trigger accidentally while walking down the stairs. I do not mean any offence Dave, but what is the story here? What is the focal point?

Okay, I am going to leave that behind and critique this based on the guidelines set by the forum.

1) Is there a clear center of interest? The overly bright light?
2) Is the image composed well? I think you tripped and pressed the shutter button by mistake
- Fill the frame. With what?
- Organize elements. I'll give you this one
- Control the background. Not at all
- Keep it simple. I'll concede to this one
3) Is the focus crisp and is the exposure appropriate? Yes and No
4) Does the lighting enhance the subject and message? I do not like the blue light on the rail
5) Is the approach creative? It got me thinking at least...
6) Does the photo tell a story? Of someone bored?

I'm sorry Dave as I am usually not so negative, and maybe I am just overly tired, but I really do not get it. Is this something you would show your family and be proud of? We are your family here, so obviously I am the crazy cousin, but I need more from you, the kind of images that make me go OHHH, not What The?
I hope this helps, Steve

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

The light is the center of interest for me, it’s what got my attention first, that and the light patterns on the wall. The unique architectural element of an arch with no vertical support was the other thing that appealed to me. I wanted to add a third hence the railing. Given the space on the landing I chose the angle I did trying to include the elements that I chose. I like the composition as it is simple and uncluttered. I really thought this one through, overcoming a few obstacles in the process.

I agree the light is to bright and for the life of me I don’t know why I didn't choose to use focus stacking to get better focus on the railing but alas I didn't, pointing that out in my original statement. The blue on the railing quite honestly I didn't even notice, thank you for pointing that out. But then that is the point of this forum isn't it, to take suggestions and constructive comments to improve our images.