fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

The color pallet and bits of geometry attracted me to this. The fence was there so it had to be. All comments are welcome

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artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Geometry and palette are lovely.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Glad you liked it Bob

R.G. Loc: Scotland

If you'd shifted the field of view slightly to the left you could have got the fence uprights playing a more balanced role in the composition.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

This post was a spur of the moment impulse, and I admit I did grab one of the many I took. Initially I was, above all, conscious of the fence as an obstruction, and did take a great many shots with exactly what you mentioned in mind. With the compositional emphasis dictated by the fence, I felt something was lost. As I looked at all of them later, I much preferred the curb included, and the positioning of the buildings more important, and now tend to prefer those I took as if the fence were not there. It was an interesting dilemma that I approached in as many ways as I could think of. Thanks RG. I appreciate your input.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I like coming to a topic after the conversation has begun; gives me more to ponder I would think tension, rather than balance, would be more appropriate for an abandoned facility with the barbed wire "keep out" fence so prominent in this posted image.

Mark, if you have time, would you post a couple more to expand on what you replied to R.G.? I really like reading and seeing the way photographers go about dealing with "what is" in order to arrive at the strongest viewpoint for what they want to say. Thank you!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Where and what is the story? If cropped to the wet ground between uprights and beyond the sidewalk then the image is indeed of geometry and varied palette and is communicated.

Depending on how this photo is cropped, there are many different possible messages; it is up to the photographer to communicate which the viewer should see. Titles also direct.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Glad to Linda. I think most of these are pretty self explanatory. There are two different sets of buildings. The first photo from the first view, of course done to eliminate the poles altogether. I knew then I didn't like it but I was there, so I took it, just for an occasion such as this :) The first set had the red doors going for it, but the geometry in the buildings in the second view won me over. Among the many things I really disliked about this closer angle of view, is that the light changed, and all the interest in the pavement was lost. The other main thing was that it made a really lousy composition. Moving on, what was really apparent in the second set, was the complication of the leaning uprights, achieving RG's said objective. Moving enough to make the uprights appear vertical, ruined the curb line, and dictated a straight on view. The more centered the fence, the more noticeable the lean, so I backed away and photographed as if the fence were there but not there, and some of those I deemed bad for not placing the poles carefully enough. Here you go.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I seldom if ever crop photos in pp and prefer to work with the variety of compositions that come to mind while I am there. Believe me I went to my 70-200 and took many vertical shots. They all cropped away all but a narrow view of the entirety, and didn't begin to capture what I thought was meaningful. As for the message? Well. Other than that this place still sits here untouched and tidy, and looking splendid, at least to me, there is none.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you so much, Mark! You explained your process very well and I enjoyed being inside your head for this terrific learning experience.

wayne barnett Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon

Great set showing different perspectives. In the series number one has particular appeal to me.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Thats interesting. 1 made me feel even more isolated. Closer but farther away. This is the small jpeg sooc. I have not pulled it into PS to explore possibilities.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I am enjoying the pale yellow of the old buildings and the water soaked pavement. I like how the curb bases it all. I like the moodiness/vastness/looking through the fence of the first one, second set. I like how the sidewalk and the building share similar color.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I really enjoyed your input. The color of the buildings was what grabbed me the first time I saw them. Without the wettness, the pavement would have been somewhat bland. Upon seeing all my shots later it became obvious to me that those including the sidewalk made a better composition. At least to my eyes.

rdfarr Loc: Floridian living in AL

Nice. I've spent some time at Sikorsky as a visitor. It was in connection with the Blackhawk starting service.