Serendipitious Sign
by candycorn

Comment by GeneralE:

Originally posted by Neuferland: Even cropping closer on the sides (putting my trusty envelopes up to the screen) makes a HUGE difference in the shot.

Hahaha I use envelopes I find lying around too! While I agree that a tighter crop would help a lot, one also has to be careful of running afoul of the DPC "other art" rule, so including some background is a good idea.

Starting with this frame, I'd crop top, bottom, and left, leaving just a little room around the sign and including the tree to the right, making it about a 2:1 panoramic, and with the arrow pointing off towards the "empty" area. You could take off the "Closed" sign, but if left on I'd title it Serendipity -- NOT! or something similar ...

Too bad you couldn't get in to shoot the stained glass.

Rustic Wheel
by candycorn

Comment by Neuferland:
This is a great shot and since I just did the critique on your Serendipity challenge entry I thought I might make some comments on this one as well. I love this shot. One of the best in your portfolio without a doubt. The overall composition is very well done and the cropping is perfect to me.

What it is lacking is contrast or something that really makes it pop out of the screen to me. The colors look flat and boring, a touch of post processing to help bring them out just a touch more could really make a difference. Hope this helps!

Deannda

Serendipitious Sign
by candycorn

Comment by Neuferland:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Hi! This is an interesting catch, how serendipitous that this sign is there for the challenge, LOL!

It's a good idea but the execution of the shot and post processing or lack of is probably what did you in for the challenge. I looked at your profile and really like some of the ideas you have but it's the pulling of them off that is probably a bit fustrating to you. I know, it still fustrates the heck out of me when I can see the shot I want in my head but when it's on the screen it's not even close!

This shot has great potential and if you ever get a chance to reshoot it may I first suggest getting closer to the sign. Too much background and other items distracting you from the sign itself. For the challenge a much tighter crop on all sides would have probably helped a great deal, really making the sign the main focus of the shot. As it is right now there are trees, fences, house and all manner of things competing for my attention. Even cropping closer on the sides (putting my trusty envelopes up to the screen) makes a HUGE difference in the shot. You don't have the blow out light on the left and the darker shadow side on the right competing for your attention.

Also a touch more contrast in the shot would really make the sign pop out and bring out the colors.

If you make changes I would love to see them.

Good Luck In Future Challenges!

Deannda
DNeufer@stny.rr.com if you have any questions or want to discuss this further!

Stop Light for All Occasions
by candycorn

Comment by L1:
Like the colors and the lines, but IMHO I would crop off the top and bottom, and level the parallel lines to the right a tad. Very interesting.

Before and After
by candycorn

Comment by indianzfan:
Wow, some who actually knows what proportion is!

Before and After
by candycorn

Comment by reevey:
Now THERE'S my kind of beer mug! (the one on the right :-P)

Before and After
by candycorn

Comment by kghoshal:
should have used some other light source.anyway this is a fantastic snap

Before and After
by candycorn

Comment by hughletheren:
Nice idea and spot on challenge. Taken with flash? Might have been better taken without flash with a long exposure, might remove the vertical flash flair in the middle. Maybe placing the background further away would remove the shadow?

Before and After
by candycorn

Comment by doctornick:
Lighting is a bit harsh. A diffuser on the flash would have made the light softer.

Before and After
by candycorn

Comment by DefyTime:
this looks like something I would see in a history text book, I think a different background would fix this