kenievans Loc: Dallas

One of the many things I am attempting to learn about photography is to make my images impactful. I recently read an article in Landscape Photography Magazine by Rafael Rojas. Here is the link to the article if you would like to read the whole piece.

https://landscapephotographymagazine.com/2015/impact-in-photography/

Here is an excerpt from the beginning of his article:

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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, something has impact when it produces a strong effect on someone or something. Based on that definition, we may assume that impactful photography would be something which produces a memorable experience in the viewer, transmitting a strong message and leaving traces on their mind and soul. The reality is, however, quite different – in fact, most of the impactful images we see nowadays draw our attention for a millisecond before being relegated to oblivion immediately after.

The important nuance for photographers is not whether our images have impact or not, but rather whether that impact, whatever its immediate force might be, is short-lived or long-lasting.
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I realize that based on our own unique life experiences we are all not effected in the say way by the same things and I think there are degrees to which we will be impacted as well. This is not a Pulitzer prize winning photo but I would like to know:

1. Do you find the photo to be of some impact or is it just a nicely composed image?
2. Which has more impact, the color or monochrome?
3. What makes it or does not make it impactful to you?

Thanks and I am looking forward to your responses.

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

It seems I can't read the whole article without subscribing to the magazine. So I'll go with my own definition

For a photo to have impact for me it has to be something I haven't seen before, or present a different and unexpected way of seeing something common, or have really incredible light and colors etc. I'm sorry that I don't find impact in this photo, Keni.

There is nice detail and exposure, but it feels static. The leading line of the train cars and the empty track don't really lead anywhere, so I'm uncertain what you wished to convey. I also have concerns about the clouds; they seem to be blue-tinted.

Hope you'll talk about your editing choices, as well as what drew you to the scene. Thanks for the opportunity to critique!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I 'enjoy' the color version more. I don't think either has an 'impact' as defined above. But, this high-bar definition doesn't lessen my enjoyment of seeing the images.

Consider if the image has too much. We have rails running away to the distance on the left. We have clouds in the background. We have industry of the grain silo and the railroad cars. And, a bit late summer golden colors in the foreground. What if you crop away the tracks and cars on left so the diagonal cars nearly exit the frame via the new lower left corner? Hopefully, you have an original with 'room' to modify the image in this way and allowing placement of the image elements in a good composition.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

For me, Kennie, impact is quite simple. If I say to myself or out loud "Wow"!! when I see it, then the photo has impact. I like the black and white image of these two; but it lacks contrast. Almost everything seems to be middle gray which makes it look flat. I might try adding contrast. I also think that a darker sky would help this photo. The sky is what is making the photo look flat. You do have a nicely defined black and white point in the silo and the trains; but the sky almost looks like it came from a different photo. Not sure how that happened. I might even try inversion of the black and white. I'm not sure that would be an improvement; but it would have more impact.
Erich

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Have to agree with Linda here. In her second paragraph she states that impact is gained from a different or unusual rendering of the subject. These structures although not as picturesque as the grain elevators they replaced still do have a look of industrial majesty about them. if this one is handy enough to where you live, look and photograph it in different light, different seasons and especially,anything but eye level if possible.

It is a pleasant photo. The left hand siding might be a bit redundant but does offer compositional balance. Color would be my choice as you include surrounding landscape. Personally I'm not a fan of saturation but every magazine one opens.... well I'm getting over it.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Choosing either B&W or colour won't give a picture impact, although, with some subjects, it might. Impact invariably comes from the subject matter. Impact comes in many different forms, a cutely dressed newborn, a shocking war image and all points between. What has impact with some leaves others unmoved.
I think that if your eye, while passing along a line up of images, stays on any one of them for more than three seconds that picture has had some impact on you.
A monochrome of your picture could have an impact.

Graham

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Linda my reason for posting this particular shot is two fold. I am trying to understand impact and I think you and the other respondents have helped with that by providing your understanding of it. I think impact is as subjective as everything else in photography to varying degrees and it is not always about emotional impact.

I wasn't particularly inspired to take this shot but why I took it and used it in this post brings me to my second reason. My dad took me on photography trip a couple of weeks ago. He had several locations he wanted to show me. As I have mentioned before he used to shoot and develop a lot of film back in the day. I was very happy with the locations and got some great shots. We drove by this particular location. Pop was very excited about it and thought it "could really be something". That is high praise for him.

The light was pretty good but I just didn't have a vision for it. I shot it anyway hoping maybe I would find something in it when I processed it. I even tried it in B&W because sometimes that can make a big difference or it has to me in the past but I just wasn't seeing it. It has leading lines, an interesting building, cool shadows and trains. It should work, right?

After all of your comments and suggestions I think the fog as cleared a little and I want to go back and look at it with fresh eyes. You sent me a couple of different crops based on Paul's suggestions and as I pondered everything I think I have an idea. Thank you as always for your help.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Paul I always appreciate your thoughtful responses. I do try and do non-destructive post processing and I always keep a version of the original, well now I do anyway. I have realized I tend to see a big picture and don't think about shooting closer in. Sometimes that's good but then I miss smaller, more focused subjects. I think that maybe the case here.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you Erich. I didn't replace the sky but I did add the clouds using a cloud brush. Your discussion about the sky gave me an idea and along with Paul's cropping suggestion. Thank you so much for your comments.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

I have done an edit of your picture Keni, with your permission I will post it in this thread

Graham

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I would love to go back and reshoot it after reading everyone's comments but it is almost a 4 hour drive from where I live. I am planning on going back in the spring but I am going to try and work on the perspective of what I have for now. Thank you for commenting.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Graham I am a huge fan of your monochrome work and I appreciate your comments. As I am thinking about reworking it I see it as monochrome. Hopefully it will have impact as well, as least for some.

pquiggle Loc: Monterey Bay California

I think the colors of the scene cry out for a yellow or orange filter during black and white conversion. I would try decreasing the luminance of the blue and increase yellow and orange. This should increase the contrast between the subject and the sky. I would also consider cropping out the tree on the left but leave the tracks. Like Linda, Paul and ebrunner I do not find it impactful but I do enjoy looking at the image.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you so much for commenting. It triggered another idea. I really do appreciate all the help and suggestions.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

I'm not much of an academic on any subject let alone the artistic aspects of photography. Getting back to your main questions on impact personally for a photo to have impact firstly it needs a strong theme. Using your example, if your intent was to show the industrial blot on an otherwise pleasant Fall landscape - including more surroundings would be in order. If you wanted to show the grain terminal as industrial majesty then maybe a stand alone cathedral like angle against the sky.... Going for industrial blight - close shot of the structure and train cars, go with high contrast bw as gloomy and grungy as your imagination and post comes up with.