Butler Wash Ruin: An image I was playing with this afternoon. Looking for reactions to the composition, mood, overall aesthetics. Have at it.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

An image I was playing with this afternoon. Looking for reactions to the composition, mood, overall aesthetics. Have at it.

Butler Wash Ruin: Utah

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I'm not a fan of the white on white border as it competes with the overcast mood. If I may suggest, fill the inner border with a darker color.

To verify, I copied the image and did a quick fill with black on the inner portion. You may want to experiment with a dark grey as it would probably work better, but it confirmed my suspicion that the white on white competes with your image.

I hope this helps, S-

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

St3v3M wrote:

I'm not a fan of the white on white border as it competes with the overcast mood. If I may suggest, fill the inner border with a darker color.

To verify, I copied the image and did a quick fill with black on the inner portion. You may want to experiment with a dark grey as it would probably work better, but it confirmed my suspicion that the white on white competes with your image.

I hope this helps, S-

Thanks you for commenting, Steve. For sales I use either a double 4 ply mat (white or off-white) or single 8 ply mat. (This will be done in off-white) I don't use color matting. Too often, buyers have their own ideas on how they want to use color in their framing, and my choice may not be theirs. I keep the matting neutral and uniform. Also, this mockup does not include a simulated frame, which would alter the effect.

For competitions, at our club white mats are preferred.

My interest is in the reaction to the image itself.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Photographer Jim wrote:

... Also, this mockup does not include a simulated frame, which would alter the effect. ...

I think the frame would do it! Cheers, S-

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Strangely compelling springs to mind as a first reaction. It grabs the attention and holds it. Cannot really fault the composition.
It makes one feel at peace I think I would say about the mood of the post.

Aesthetics - Something that tumblr weirdo's say way too often and use it for every damn thing under the sun. A generally annoying word. Best definition of aesthetics ever written lol

So I will just add I do find it very pleasing to the eye.
Some may wish for a little more detail to be shown in the shaded entrance way but its OK for me as it is.

davefales Loc: Virginia

IMHO. Excellent, but the color and texture of the cholla (?) seem to demand a more prominent position. If there was more image to work with, I would zoom out slightly and give it more of a stone border (lower right corner.)

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Billyspad wrote:

Strangely compelling springs to mind as a first re... (show quote)

Thank you. I'd ask what tumblr is, and reveal my lack of social network savvy, but I won't! :P

I can bring up a bit more detail in the entry way. I'll revisit that area.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

davefales wrote:

IMHO. Excellent, but the color and texture of the cholla (?) seem to demand a more prominent position. If there was more image to work with, I would zoom out slightly and give it more of a stone border (lower right corner.)

Dang. That was my major concern, that I had positioned the cactus too far into the corner. I was waiting to see if anyone reacted to it as well. I have a few frames where it is better positioned, but they have their own concerns. Thanks for commenting.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

St3v3M wrote:

I think the frame would do it! Cheers, S-

The Antique White matting will help as well. It has a noticeable color cast similar to the color of the UHH page backround, just much lighter. It should take away a lot of the harshness of the stark white. (Next time I'll remember to tint the mockup before posting).

The frame I use is dark walnut with a black fade on the sides and inner bevel. Works well on other prints I've done of similar subjects.

Nightski

Photographer Jim wrote:

An image I was playing with this afternoon. Looking for reactions to the composition, mood, overall aesthetics. Have at it.

Jim .. The really cool desert plant seems like more of a distraction than something that belongs there. I think it's the angle of your shot. I think this is one of those shots where you should have gotten up close and personal with a wide angle on that plant. It may do well as a b&w image so the colour from the plant is not such a distraction. It just seems disjointed to me. If I was commenting on any one else's image I may not have been this blunt, but I've seen your work and I know you will take my comment as intended.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Photographer Jim wrote:

An image I was playing with this afternoon. Looking for reactions to the composition, mood, overall aesthetics. Have at it.

Jim,
Having participated in several "digs" in rock shelter "dry caves" in the SW. i am absolutely enhralled with your image. It's from the low perspective familiar to one accustomed to on-the-knees scraping away of thin strata of the accumulated debris of millenia of habitation. I can smell and taste the dust of ages and feel the heat and sweat endured in a summer excavation. Its the image of a beautiful, seemingly undistirbed site redolent of the simplicity of needs of the past generations of its inhabitants.

Oh yes...the low-perspective dictates of the composition have been well fulfilled! Well-perceived depth!

Simply, beautifully captured ...and matted!

Dave in SD

davefales Loc: Virginia

Nightski's comments caused me to look again. I like the cholla as a subject by itself. I think you could crop horizontally with it and the two rock slabs filling the image. I'd still like a little more rock in the lower corner along the cholla.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Uuglypher wrote:

Jim, br Having participated in several "digs&... (show quote)

Thanks for weighing in! Those who know this site are aware that I am shooting from a position on a 45 degree incline. It pretty much necessitated that I shoot from a fairly low angle. I was aiming for a "near-far" type of composition, although not as pronounced as one like David Muench or Jack Dykinga would do. While happy with the perspective, I am in agreement that I could have given more room around the cactus to better position it in the frame. One of those cases where I neglected to take a loosely composed shot to provide some insurance.

The ruin is in very good condition, considering it is well known, and easy to get to. Thankfully, visitors have shown proper respect and not damaged or marred the site. If you have not been there, I'd recommend adding it to your itinerary the next time you are in the area.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

davefales wrote:

Nightski's comments caused me to look again. I like the cholla as a subject by itself. I think you could crop horizontally with it and the two rock slabs filling the image. I'd still like a little more rock in the lower corner along the cholla.

I agree that a shot focusing primarily on the cactus would be worthwhile, but having said that I would leave that to another photographer. I have never had much interest in "flower images" per se. Probably why I never considered taking an image of the cactus as the sole or primary subject. :-D

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Photographer Jim wrote:

Thanks for weighing in! Those who know this site ... (show quote)

Jom,
Glad to hear your mention of Muench abd Dykinga; your image dfinitely called them to mind...and extremely favorably in comparison with their works, I should add!
Dave