Tractor on the side of the road
Jan 31, 2016 11:03:41 #
I drive up and down the rural road a couple times a week. There are several opportunities for good shots and I took this one. What do you think?
olc
olc
Jan 31, 2016 12:10:36 #
Personally, I think I would have filled more of the frame with your subject. There's a lot of distractions surrounding the tractor.
Respectfully.
Respectfully.
Jan 31, 2016 12:17:45 #
Jan 31, 2016 12:29:01 #
It's a good subject and I don't have a problem with including a bit of context, but the lighting could have been better (more even). It sounds like a re-shoot wouldn't be difficult, or failing that a bit of PP to lift the shadows and even out the lighting would help.
Jan 31, 2016 12:47:20 #
Technically it looks OK
Esthetically a lower POV, and as bit closer may make the subject look a bit more dramatic.
Esthetically a lower POV, and as bit closer may make the subject look a bit more dramatic.
Jan 31, 2016 14:22:28 #
Chefneil wrote:
I drive up and down the rural road a couple times a week. There are several opportunities for good shots and I took this one. What do you think?
olc
olc
Old vehicles make interesting subjects and this one is no exception.You've captured it in plenty of detail, with good color. I agree with RG that shooting this monster in more even lighting would help here, or good pp to handle that chore a bit more in post. You might could try different angles, from very low to straight on, and see what seems to work best. The background distractions could be diminished with shooting choices, or worked on to some degree in post. I'd be sorely tempted to use some more crunchy processing - HDR, A touch of Topaz detail, on a layer at reduced opacity, to bring out the rust and detail.
The watermark is distracting too, because it almost looks like it is something in the picture.
Jan 31, 2016 14:45:08 #
Old equipment make great subjects and this one has nice coloring and rust accents. Everyone's suggestions would go a long way to making this a better shot.
Choose a different time of day for more favorable light, and as RT said get right personal, zoom with your feet - I prefer a slight wide angle for old gear. Go nuts, shoot lots of close in detail shots too.
Choose a different time of day for more favorable light, and as RT said get right personal, zoom with your feet - I prefer a slight wide angle for old gear. Go nuts, shoot lots of close in detail shots too.
Jan 31, 2016 17:15:37 #
Chefneil wrote:
I drive up and down the rural road a couple times a week. There are several opportunities for good shots and I took this one. What do you think?
olc
olc
I like this ol' rusted cat in "slow recycling mode". I suggest you would it more pictorial justice with better light and a lower camera position. This looks like an excellent opportunity to "work" the scene. With wide-to normal zoom on my DSLR I'd likely capture 25-30 exposures of this darn before moving on....maybe more...and after editing would likely love one or two!
IMO you are at the beginning of a wonderful creative experience!
Best,
Dave
Jan 31, 2016 17:16:22 #
Respectfully.................A bulldozer(aka a crawler) is a continuos tracked tractor. As per my father who was a heavy equipment operator and I never questioned my father.
jaymatt wrote:
:DIt's a bulldozer, not a tractor.
Jan 31, 2016 19:15:20 #
OK, while I usually accept UHH criticism at face value, Better Lighting? This shot was taken 20 minutes after sunrise. Tell me what can be better than that!
Having said that, What I am hearing is better composition, most want more foreground.
Some of you have said a lower POV. Now this is a good idea. But better lighting?... at 20 minutes after Sunrise? Not so much. I suppose maybe I could wait a few seconds and get a different shadow effect...
olc
Having said that, What I am hearing is better composition, most want more foreground.
Some of you have said a lower POV. Now this is a good idea. But better lighting?... at 20 minutes after Sunrise? Not so much. I suppose maybe I could wait a few seconds and get a different shadow effect...
olc
Feb 1, 2016 07:47:13 #
Feb 1, 2016 10:29:54 #
Feb 1, 2016 12:17:44 #
A bit closer, as others have commented, would be good. I struggled to understand what was lurking above and behind the tractor in places, then noticed somebody mentioned a watermark - is that what it is? Wrecks the shot for me. Not keen on the text either, but that's just me. The picture is crying-out for some gentle HDR and, I reckon, would make a good image with some careful pp.
Feb 1, 2016 14:26:58 #
Chefneil wrote:
......better lighting?... at 20 minutes after Sunrise?.......
Light during the golden hour is considered ideal only if it doesn't produce long shadows with brightly lit areas in between. Waiting till the sun is a bit higher may well produce the optimum lighting for this location.
As Magnetoman pointed out, shots like this are very often given a touch of HDR - how much depends on personal taste. People like Travesty have a well developed ability to take the HDR look quite far while avoiding an overcooked look, but just moderate amounts of HDR processing can lift a shot to another level and still leave it looking normal.
Feb 1, 2016 22:50:01 #
Chefneil wrote:
I drive up and down the rural road a couple times a week. There are several opportunities for good shots and I took this one. What do you think?
olc
olc
Neil,
A good bit could be done with this. I downloaded the large image and brought out quite a bit of detail. I think this one is begging for post processing.
--Bob
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