jr168

I like the use of the fence/ wall as a foreground element. I do find the trees on the right side a bit distracting though. The main problem I have with this image is the lighting. Having a colorful sky from a sunrise/ sunset would be nice or even storm clouds would give it a different mood.

vonzip Loc: cape cod

Thanks jr for the feedback. vz

kocart Loc: Illinois

People made some good suggestions about composition and I guess I will weigh in with a little unconventional wisdom.

There are two types of photographs of a subject like this--a record shot, and a creative shot. The basic rules of thumb you have heard will be useful for doing a record shot, albeit with more visual interest, but with a simple record of the scene as its purpose.

If you want to express something more with a photograph you have to think about what you are trying to say with the photograph--that usually requires placing the subject in a context of your own choosing. The context is everything.

Here are a few ways to express the context of a barn by applying a setting that gets an emotional response.

Perhaps you want to express darkness or unease or tension: place the subject in wild weather, or in black and white with a tense composition, or allow negative space or unusual balance to get this response.

Or you may want to make your subject a member of a community by overlapping it with neighboring structures, allowing what is noteworthy about it to stand above its framing. You can make it small in a large field, if the setting permits, and observe the space around it. Or you can invoke peace and welcome by placing the fence line in such a way that it leads you to an entrance: to enhance the effect, make it twilight with inviting interior light.

I did quite a bit of grain elevator photography and I became adept at record shots with just enough space around the subject to get all of the detail. But a journalist photographer showed me how to add dynamic movement and context to an elevator image by showing rooftops or vehicles or city buildings around it, or by placing it far back in an overall scene. All of a sudden the pictures came alive.

If none of those things appear to be possible with your subject, you can either concentrate on a part of it to make an abstract photograph, or get close and shoot unusual perspectives, or make it a background for an interesting subject in the foreground. You can also give it a pass and go on to the next subject.

In this barn I like the roof line. The fence and planter distract from the most interesting part of the structure. Take away elements until you have exactly what you want to express, then give it just enough space. The lighting is of course not too great because of the time of day but all that technical stuff aside, you can make this subject work beautifully, I think.

vonzip Loc: cape cod

Thanks Kristen for taking the time to put ink to paper for constructive criticism. vz