PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

What say you, good, bad, so so???

Don

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Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Hi Don,

Not too bad... There are some things you can do to improve this kind of image though. First, have a central point of focus. Choose one thing and make it stand out. Like a red cap laying on the counter. Something that draws the attention of the viewers and stands out. Even though it may not seem obvious, this is actually a "pattern" and when this happens, you need something that breaks it up a bit.

Next, I think the items at the lower left side of the image are a bit distracting, and if I had shot this, I think I would have moved forward. By moving forward, you would eliminate two issues. First, the distraction mentioned already and next, you would eliminate the exterior light on the right side of the image. Our eye sees the brightest object and is automatically drawn to it. Normally a good thing, but in this case, your true interest in the image is the tools and work-bench, which ARE very interesting. So, moving into the scene will eliminate this. DOUBLE BONUS, by moving in, you also add detail to the items you truly want to show, so even better.

Now, lets discuss the GOOD things here. An interesting scene. I am a sucker for "old" and this speaks to me of old world craftsmanship. The tools are interesting and it's all "period". Nothing electric here. I also like the lighting on the tools as well and think it is well-seen. I also like the roof and details within it as well, and the post processing is well done with both highlight and shadow detail visible and what appears on my calibrated monitor as fairly correct color as well. So, all in all, some good things going on here and a few other ways you can improve the next time you shoot this kind of scene. The big questions you need to ask are:

What is the subject that I want to stand-out here?

What do I want to show in my image and why? When you answer this, cut EVERYTHING ELSE out of the frame. Here, it's all about the tools, so move in, show the tools in greater detail. A good effort though and hope this is somewhat helpful. If you have questions, please ask. happy to help.

Stephan G

Your recommendations are good, but for ensuing specialization. I wholly disagree with the penchant to isolate the items in the shot and miss the entirety of the shop itself. The proverbial not seeing the forest because of focusing on the trees.

What is the subject? "Old Boat Building Tools". It is a representation of the environment. Some of us can just about smell the wood, sealer, and varnish in the air.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

For me it says "workshop", and as shown it could be any kind of workshop. If your intended subject was the tools then you would need to be a bit closer to them, or alternatively have some easily identifiable tools clearly visible in the immediate foreground. With some careful composition you could have the best of both worlds.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Perfectly OK to disagree. In normal "storytelling" you break the story up into smaller parts. Look at any good photo essay and you will see this. You don't typically show everything in one image. So, if you're telling a story about ship building, you can do it in 4-5 different shots that together tell the story more fully. But again, is perfectly ok to disagree.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

I spent some time exploring the overall contents of the picture. It adds to the story of this old shop.

ediesaul

I hope you don't mind my editing of what I see in your photo, which I think is gorgeous, especially the lighting.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Thanks Pixeldawg for taking the time to critique this image.
I could have narrowed down the focus to just one or two objects for a better focal point. But, as I saw it the whole range of tools was needed to show how complex a process of building can be.
The next two items you mention was the objects in the lower left of the image. The area was roped off so I could not get any closer. I sort of agree with you and sorta not. I can go back and re-work the image and see how it looks without those objects. I mage a big mistake, you caught it, with the light on the right side. I was working on a couple of ways to PP this image and I posted the wrong image. The one I meant to post had that distraction on the right cropped out.

I will address this image again and see about "moving closer" by cropping (only option now) and see if that enhancing my story.

Thank you for the time you took to address this image and the insight you gave me.

Don

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

This is where I am kinda torn in two directions Stephan. Maybe just a slight crop in the lower left bottom will still preserve what I saw and also draw more interest to the tools in the shot.

Thank you for adding your helpful comments.

Don

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

The area was roped off not letting you get closer BUT I certainly could have used more zoom from the lens R.G.
Let me try to incorporate some of the suggestions I received and fiddle with the image some more.
Thanks for taking the time to provide your insight.

Don

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Very interesting place to roam around in SoHillGuy. I might be able to revisit this place as it is local for me but will have to check on what kind of COVID-19 restrictions they have in place.
Thank you for your comment.

Don

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

No I don't mind in this case as I am asking for help. I see that you gave it a little more light on the left side Edie. It also looks like you did a little cropping. Will give it some more study time.
Thanks for taking the time to assist me.

Don

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Try this, Don... Shoot wide and as you shoot, move in closer and closer and closer still until you get down to one or two tools and see what you prefer. In my journalism work, this is what I do. Establishing shot to a very detailed shot and everything in between those two. Options are always a good thing. Good luck and hope you will post here for us to see,

ediesaul

I tried to change the angle of perspective, and filled in some of the cabinets below.

Stephan G

And you insist on maintaining a misconception about photography. It is not about "breaking it down". It is not a book with chapters. Each image represents a differing view. Other images are not necessary to an image's impression. You forget that Poetry is not a book, not governed by book writing rules. Photography can be easily Poetry without being Book.

Apparently you have not had the pleasure of visiting a shop from the past. There is the undefinable aspect of seeing something in its totality, something that can be accomplished in a photograph.