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Empty Chair--A quiet shot demanded PP
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Aug 29, 2019 16:26:15   #
artBob Loc: Near Chicago
 
To get this shot as I saw it in my mind demanded much post processing. I tried to hide it, "Art hides Art," by not overcooking, not letting Lightroom tell me what the white balance and color "should" be, and not doing simplistic cloning.

I hope it's enjoyed, and any feedback on personal response or technical aspects is appreciated. Feel free to modify if you want to see a change--it's the only way to know what the words mean exactly.


(Download)

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Aug 29, 2019 16:34:58   #
L-Fox
 
artBob wrote:
To get this shot as I saw it in my mind demanded much post processing. I tried to hide it, "Art hides Art," by not overcooking, not letting Lightroom tell me what the white balance and color "should" be, and not doing simplistic cloning.

I hope it's enjoyed, and any feedback on personal response or technical aspects is appreciated. Feel free to modify if you want to see a change--it's the only way to know what the words mean exactly.


Bob, move the chair & shoot again. I like the idea.

-- Larry

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Aug 29, 2019 16:45:02   #
UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT
 
A very engaging capture, Bob!

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Aug 29, 2019 17:04:57   #
Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida
 
I really like this. Excellent balance of light between the dark room, lamp and window!

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Aug 29, 2019 17:45:26   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
The chair is lost in the background.

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Aug 29, 2019 19:23:11   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
artBob wrote:
To get this shot as I saw it in my mind demanded much post processing. I tried to hide it, "Art hides Art," by not overcooking, not letting Lightroom tell me what the white balance and color "should" be, and not doing simplistic cloning.

I hope it's enjoyed, and any feedback on personal response or technical aspects is appreciated. Feel free to modify if you want to see a change--it's the only way to know what the words mean exactly.


Use the spot brush in Lightroom to highlit the dark wall and chair the open up shadows. That chair is lost in the wall.

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Aug 29, 2019 19:26:45   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
I really like this Bob. To me it has a "someone is missing" feel to it. I like that the chair is there empty and waiting for someone. The only issue I have with it are the squiggly lines in the window. I don't understand them at all. Other than that, very nice job processing.

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Aug 29, 2019 21:48:19   #
artBob Loc: Near Chicago
 
Thanks to all.
Those squiggly lines are moire pattern from a screen. I don't like to drop in a false sky. However, I think I might have to, now that it really is noticeable. But first, I'll try some of the suggested methods found by googling. I'll share any discoveries.

As for the darkness and the chair, I like them. Most of my work has areas that gradually reveal something. ACR easily fixes the problem, but it's not a problem for my expression, the "content" of this photo, as opposed to the subject matter. However, I'm certainly not ruling out further discussion about the darkness.

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Aug 29, 2019 22:47:41   #
srt101fan
 
artBob wrote:
To get this shot as I saw it in my mind demanded much post processing. I tried to hide it, "Art hides Art," by not overcooking, not letting Lightroom tell me what the white balance and color "should" be, and not doing simplistic cloning.

I hope it's enjoyed, and any feedback on personal response or technical aspects is appreciated. Feel free to modify if you want to see a change--it's the only way to know what the words mean exactly.


I like it.....

The mix of warm lamp light and cooler outside light is beautiful. Nice to see subdued colors.

But the chair....Ah, the chair. From your title, the chair is the star of the show, the "storyteller". But for me it's not really a welcome sight in the image. As some have said, maybe it's too dark. Maybe it's in the wrong place (would it be better if it migrated to the left side? Turned sideways?) Maybe it's just an unwelcome visual intrusion....

I don't mind the "squiggly lines". They're not really noticeable unless you zoom in. That takes us to a subject that's been touched on in other topics, that is, how should you view an image? If you blow up an image to a large size you should stand back to view it, no?

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Aug 30, 2019 07:58:46   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
I like it just the way it is. You’ve given it a somewhat dark, somber feel. Don’t take out that chair because it adds to the scene, somewhat like a missing man formation in a twisted sort of way (does that make any sense at all?).

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Aug 30, 2019 10:20:04   #
artBob Loc: Near Chicago
 
srt101fan and jaymat, thanks for your comments, even though contradictory. As photographers, you both know that such contradictory comments are not unusual. I like to try out the critique, side by side, and decide. (Hey, maybe a career in rap?) Here's the comparison.


(Download)

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Aug 30, 2019 10:34:40   #
srt101fan
 
artBob wrote:
srt101fan and jaymat, thanks for your comments, even though contradictory. As photographers, you both know that such contradictory comments are not unusual. I like to try out the critique, side by side, and decide. (Hey, maybe a career in rap?) Here's the comparison.


Bob, you flipped the image. I was just wondering about moving the chair to the left side of the frame, and maybe partially turning it towards the right. But that would mean a reshoot....

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Aug 30, 2019 11:03:36   #
magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK
 
I like this Bob. Including the chair the way it is - it’s silhouette effect is flattening and it becomes part of the dark foreground, adding depth to the desk. It’s a peaceful image apart from the ghastly yellow squiggles, they do need attending to. The colours of the image tell me ‘cosy inside, mildly pleasant outside’.

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Aug 30, 2019 11:45:30   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
Perhaps if the seat was back from the table a bit it would look more like a vacated seat and not a parked seat. I can't quite identify what's on the table, but you could include something that reinforces the suggestion that someone was at the table doing something and then presumably was tempted outside by the pleasant view (which I'm guessing is part of the story-telling that you intended).

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Aug 30, 2019 14:26:29   #
artBob Loc: Near Chicago
 
I appreciate the comments. "Emptiness past" and/or "future potential" were my reasons for treatment of lake and chair.

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