Pre-made Still Life: I was visiting an historic village a few days ago and saw this scene. I dabble in still life photography and thought that this scene was a pre-made still life.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I was visiting an historic village a few days ago and saw this scene. I dabble in still life photography and thought that this scene was a pre-made still life. When I got it on the computer I noticed the subtle shadows in the scene and tried to emphasize that in pp. Did I go too dark? Does this scene appeal to you or evoke any kind of emotional response?

Pre-Made Still Life
Pre-Made Still Life...

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

I don't find it dark at all and can understand your taking it. The shadows don't seem emphasized to me Erich, they must have been very subtle as I still find them so. No real emotion here for me but I've slim knowledge of still life so take my thought for what they are worth. Not sure but the lower left portion appears to be falling out of the dof focus plane.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Frank2013 wrote:

I don't find it dark at all and can understand your taking it. The shadows don't seem emphasized to me Erich, they must have been very subtle as I still find them so. No real emotion here for me but I've slim knowledge of still life so take my thought for what they are worth. Not sure but the lower left portion appears to be falling out of the dof focus plane.

There are shadows around the book and a vase. They are not very pronounced and I think it would have been unrealistic to have deep dark shadows here since the scene is indoors. No emotional response from you is noted. I get it. Thanks for answering the question and for commenting. Very much appreciated.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

With understated lighting and balanced arrangement, it feels serene. Emotion would be just kind of relaxed. Pleasant to view, not stimulating (in either a good way or bad).

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Linda From Maine wrote:

With understated lighting and balanced arrangement, it feels serene. Emotion would be just kind of relaxed. Pleasant to view, not stimulating (in either a good way or bad).

So, pleasant to view. I think that is what I was aiming at. There are no great shakes here and no real "wow" moment; but if it is pleasant, that is good. Thanks, Linda.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

ebrunner wrote:

... I noticed the subtle shadows in the scene and tried to emphasize that in pp. Did I go too dark? ...

You would not be asking if you did not have the uneasy feeling that you overdid it. Sometimes you can't tell how far to take something until you go too far. Yes, I think you did that in this case.

The shadows have become too much a part of the image, too apparent. The original image is probably more subtle and attractive.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

selmslie wrote:

You would not be asking if you did not have the uneasy feeling that you overdid it. Sometimes you can't tell how far to take something until you go too far. Yes, I think you did that in this case.

The shadows have become too much a part of the image, too apparent. The original image is probably more subtle and attractive.

The question was legitimate. I tend toward underexposed; and what is fine in my view is often perceived to be too dark by others. One could make the argument that: "If you like it, it is fine."; but I don't learn anything taking that tack. I am always interested in what other people think of my photos. I think, based on your assessment, that I might want to go back to the original and try to be a bit less heavy handed. Information that I can use. Thank you.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

ebrunner wrote:

The question was legitimate. I tend toward underexposed; and what is fine in my view is often perceived to be too dark by others. One could make the argument that: "If you like it, it is fine."; but I don't learn anything taking that tack. I am always interested in what other people think of my photos. I think, based on your assessment, that I might want to go back to the original and try to be a bit less heavy handed. Information that I can use. Thank you.

A lovely, serene image. Your concern about darkness has some reason.
I do think that just a touch of lightening the shadows to bring out some detail in the rim of the sconce would be worth the effort..

Dave

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

ebrunner wrote:

The question was legitimate. I tend toward underexposed; and what is fine in my view is often perceived to be too dark by others. ...

It's entirely appropriate to the subject at hand. That's one of the challenges in photographing places like Williamsburg - you want to keep some of the dark to preserve the mood.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Uuglypher wrote:

A lovely, serene image. Your concern about darkness has some reason.
I do think that just a touch of lightening the shadows to bring out some detail in the rim of the sconce would be worth the effort..

Dave

That seems to be the consensus. Noted. Thank you for your input.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

selmslie wrote:

It's entirely appropriate to the subject at hand. That's one of the challenges in photographing places like Williamsburg - you want to keep some of the dark to preserve the mood.

If I got this right, then balance seems to be the main concern hear. With the dark shadows that I have posted, the detail falls off. Too light and the mood would be wrecked. A happy medium, then, would preserve the shadows and still get a bit more detail into the composition. That seems to make sense. Now let me go back and see if I can make that work. Thank you for the input.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Just for the looking ... the world is full of subjects. Old rule 3 subjects, triangulation.

Each season I buy Holiday props... Halloween is my favorite. UV bulbs, rich colors, spooks ....

Dave Chinn

ebrunner wrote:

I was visiting an historic village a few days ago and saw this scene. I dabble in still life photography and thought that this scene was a pre-made still life. When I got it on the computer I noticed the subtle shadows in the scene and tried to emphasize that in pp. Did I go too dark? Does this scene appeal to you or evoke any kind of emotional response?

Erich, I'm not much into still life. Although there are some thats appealing to me and this is one of them. It doesn't appear to be too dark to me and the shadows are just right, IMO. Excellent work.
Dave

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Still life's are often done in studio with very controlled light for ultimate drama. While there are elements of appeal in this image, there is not enough drama and there is conflict. The actual light source in coming from the bottom which creates shadows on the subject but the actual light source should be coming from the candle and that is a conflict. In studio, the strobe or flash would accentuated the candle's light and created shadows in the opposite direction. In addition the mantel is cut/framed inappropriately. While there are elements of a still life here the light does not produce the desired results.

Snap Shot Loc: California

Erich, nicely done! Interesting composition and well composed!