ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I took some liberties with this one. First, I angled the lens so that I would get the branches creating an upward angling diagonal. Then I desaturated the green needles because I wanted the focus to be on the red leaves. Finally, I used Nik and the Midnight preset. My question concerns composition. This does not really follow the rule of thirds and I'm wondering if it appears as just a mess of leaves or if you think that the arrangement makes a worthwhile composition. I like it; but I'd be very interested to hear what you guys think.

diagonals

(Download)

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

I’m thinking the front set is worthwhile…………as is, the back set is distracting me. I feel I would like them better if they were in focus for some reason, without seeing them that way I’m not sure.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I noticed, when I was developing them that I wished for more dof in this image. I get that the back branch could be distracting. Thanks.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi Erich,
I particularly like the manner in which the two main branches define a plane that divides the space in front of you into the upper left region and the lower right region, both of which extend from FG to BG. Gives a very real sense of depths to space encompassed by your captured scene.

Dave

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Good morning Erich from a rainy South Seas.
If you like it its successful simple as that. You did however invite opinion and mine may be very different from those who have commented before me and may indeed comment later.
This forum seems at times to produce a a headlong rush to produce artistic images or indeed what some call art. Your images when they contain subject matter can be sometimes quite stunning ie your recent book in a crate still life. You and I have about as much chance as producing art from our cameras as we have of dating Elle Macpherson.
There seems to be a belief that if one takes a picture of a branch or a lump of rock we can produce artistic images and call it art?
The very tiny percentage of people that can do that I envy. They are gifted with that ability by their Maker. It cannot be learnt or taught.
My Creator gave me charm charisma good looks and humor in abundance lol and Im sure your Maker gave you many gifts as well.
They did not make either of us artists so you have ended up with exactly what I would have got which is a mess of leaves and twigs.
You did not presume to give it the title of artistry I know but it falls into that category and the titling is mine.
The world is full of interesting subject matter I think so leave this type of thing to those who have the vision I lack. We can have fun taking proper pictures my man.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

It is yours, you like it, enough said.
As-is, to me, is a mess of leaves. However, take a section of the download that will fit on screen from the in-focus portion and I see several that would not look out place on the wall as a semi-abstract (is there such a thing?). I have seen many on this forum that contain several decent images out of a mess. If you have a box of lemons, make lemonaid. :)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thank you. I was worried about the rear branch being out of focus. I appreciate your comments.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I've been pondering your definition of "artist" lately (since the topic came up in your surreal composite photo of sputnik strafing the southern oceans). Your contention that there are only a very few gifted souls that have the stuff to be artists, precludes a very human penchant for striving. By that definition, the only race car drivers would be Juan Manuel Fangio, or Michael Schumacher or Rudolf Carraciaola. The rest are just punters lucky enough to get a chance to strap on a Formula One car and scare the bezeesus out of themselves. I don't know if I totally agree. I'm not going to say that my photo is art; because that evaluation is up to the people who view it. I suppose it was meant to be "artistic" only in the sense that I hope it is an interesting enough image to evoke some kind of emotional response. I like the photo I made of Helmut Kohl in the plywood box; but I also like this image. They are very different, I'll agree; but they are not mutually exclusive. I really appreciate your comment because it makes me think. It also keeps me humble. My creator endowed me with neither good looks nor the ability to be Ansel Adams. I guess I'll just have to keep trying things until I find out what he had in mind for me. Oh, wait, is Ansel Adams an artist or is he just a guy taking pictures of trees and rocks? Hell, he didn't even shoot in color which is the way the world was made. Keep the comments coming. They encourage me to continuously evaluate what I'm doing and that is important. In a vacuum I can have the highest opinion of my own photos; but they don't stack up until you put them out there and let the world decide if they really do stack up. Does this mean that only other people's opinions of one's work are valid?........Where does this all end? Perhaps it doesn't and that is the point.

So we are left with a picture of some twigs and leaves, half of which are out of focus. Guess I better keep striving. Have a great day in the South Seas.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I agree with you. This one missed. I can always redo it with a different twist (like you suggested). I can go into the lemonade business or start thinking about making orange juice. Either way, I do appreciate the comment. Thank you for taking time to look at my photo.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I had a great day thank you Erich. It is now evening and time to finish my picture of the day to post here and get savaged no doubt lol
Like you I only post what I like and just consider it a bonus if others like it.
I was joking about my good looks and many will tell you the charm and charisma as well!
Adams in my opinion was a superb craftsman totally at ease with equipment ie camera and darkroom but not an artist. I know the bullets will fly for that one but I am firm in my beliefs and prepared to state them.
Keep safe my man.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I like the shiny reds against the blacks (neat idea to remove the green), the diagonal.

I'd like a bit of negative space, maybe something like the crop below - just a bit more focused.

I could definitely see it in a group display of similarly colored leaves. And also with a tiny lean towards abstract, as mentioned by neilds37. Maybe with your having removed the green and added the touch of Midnight filter, it's on its way already :)

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Good suggestions and I have to admit that crop is really working for me. Thanks, Linda. It is worth pursuing.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm interested to know who, if anyone, you would call an artist in the realm of photography. Maybe the whole of photography is just craft and not art?

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I sorta said I would stop discussing this Erich but you asked a definite question so here goes and if it offends anyone blame this guy ebrunner!!
I believe its very rare art comes via a camera. The camera is a machine and the sensor or indeed the film merely captures what is in front of the lens. Its a craft and a hard one to learn. But it can be learnt unlike art which comes from within and cannot be translated or communicated via a machine and then Photoshop.
So called artistic snap shots are just a case of photo manipulation like my boot you commented on.
And no I do not know any photographer who I consider to be an artist. A very few produce very artistic pieces now and again which do cross the line. But its rare. A machine like a camera struggles to capture what the eye saw or what an artist felt. Nikon make some great stuff but it has no soul.
Remember my friend this is my personal view and others here or indeed in the big wide world who wish to think of themselves as artists or indeed photographers are quite entitled and welcome to their opinion.
Hope that answers you question my man. Its a fascinating subject for discussion but with no real end.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

...and that truth has been demonstrated on UHH a number of times.