Back Lane Tenement: As this birdhouse isn't going anywhere soon and is most likely not slated for a reno, any ideas as to a reshoot would be welcome. .

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

As this birdhouse isn't going anywhere soon and is most likely not slated for a reno, any ideas as to a reshoot would be welcome.

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

dansmith wrote:

any ideas as to a reshoot would be welcome.

I'm just thinking tighter crop.

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RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

If you can reshoot it - take a ladder and try to fill the frame with the bird house.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Frank2013 wrote:

I'm just thinking tighter crop.

Might work, kinda wanted to keep that old fence.

..how about this angle, just get it in more favorable light

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dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

RichardTaylor wrote:

If you can reshoot it - take a ladder and try to fill the frame with the bird house.

like this idea Richard, maybe wait for leaves in the bushes and some tenants?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

dansmith wrote:

like this idea Richard, maybe wait for leaves in the bushes and some tenants?

Even better.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

dansmith wrote:

As this birdhouse isn't going anywhere soon and is most likely not slated for a reno, any ideas as to a reshoot would be welcome.

.

If the birdhouse is your main focal point, then the fence becomes secondary. I like the ladder idea and I would definitely try to fill the frame with the birdhouse. The other thing I would do is to walk around and see if you can find a place where the background is not so prominent and busy. Alternatively you could get close to the birdhouse and try to blur the background using a wide open f/stop approach to control depth of field. (Could also blur in post). If you can safely get high enough, then you could shoot down slightly and maybe still keep some of that great fence. Whatever you do, stick to black and white. It works with this subject.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

ebrunner wrote:

If the birdhouse is your main focal point, then th... (show quote)

thanks Erich,
guess this one isn't working for me or you. I walk past it almost every day and as it looked promising in person somehow the camera thinks otherwise. Hasn't got me beat yet. Perhaps a season change or a cap of late Winter snow would do it.

Thanks for the help everyone.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

dansmith wrote:

As this birdhouse isn't going anywhere soon and is most likely not slated for a reno, any ideas as to a reshoot would be welcome.

.

I like this original version best. The human type house in the rear balances the rather extravagant bird-hotel from a compositional standpoint. The fanned-out bare branches give the separation between the two. I like the slightly open or bent gate. The presentation shows the slightly run-down condition which adds to the charm. So i differ with the group, not a new thing for me. I could see other variations on the processing approach to get slightly more nostalgic looks either favoring the romantic or the grungy side of things.

I think this is worthy for more work, thanks for it.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

minniev wrote:

I like this original version best. The human type ... (show quote)

Thanks for commenting minniev. I walk past this birdhouse almost every day and saw a potential arrangement of birdhouse, equally run down fence and gate surrounded by unkempt vegetation. Including these three elements in harmony is the challenge.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I enjoyed all the viewpoints, crops and advice. This is a very interesting subject, Dan, and I like your original as well as several other ideas. Well worth spending time exploring all the possibilities.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Linda From Maine wrote:

I enjoyed all the viewpoints, crops and advice. This is a very interesting subject, Dan, and I like your original as well as several other ideas. Well worth spending time exploring all the possibilities.

So did I. Good subject to keep coming back to for certain.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I am trying to pin down why I like the third version so much better than the first. It might be the dark broodiness of the fence.

I like how the fence recedes in one direction, the gate in the other direction, and how the birdhouse rises out of their junction surrounded by the harsh light catching texture of twigs and branches.

I'd be curious to see this same shot against softer leaves. I like the composition and subject very much.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

pfrancke wrote:

I am trying to pin down why I like the third version so much better than the first. It might be the dark broodiness of the fence.

I like how the fence recedes in one direction, the gate in the other direction, and how the birdhouse rises out of their junction surrounded by the harsh light catching texture of twigs and branches.

I'd be curious to see this same shot against softer leaves. I like the composition and subject very much.

I'm thinking all along that a reshoot of that one with more emphasis on the fence and earlier in the day for more direct light would get what I'm after.
Soft spring foliage would enhance the BG. Thinking colour for that one.

Thanks for your suggestions Piet