The Old Barn and I
by nards656

Comment by kirsty_mcn:
to be honest, i was shocked when I scrolled down and saw the score - definitely underrated in my book. Its a good, understated self-portrait, strong atmosphere lent by the old barn, and challenge link right on spot. The darkness leading in to the brighter centre works well, but when you look at it more its clear it is underexposed at the far outside, and overexposed. As this was Advanced Editing, I would have thought you could rescue some of it, although the best approach would have been to combine 2 exposures (so obviously out-of-challenge), keeping the dark a nd lihght, but saving the extremes.

Having now read through the other comments, I disagree with the challenge-meeting part - this portrait is nothing without the context of the barn, it does exactly what the title says it will. Guess everyone else has their own opinions of course

Division
by nards656

Comment by Node:
Too easy. Yeah, nice work.

Division
by nards656

Comment by buzzrock:
Is this drift wood? Interesting shot.

Division
by nards656

Comment by ClubJuggle:
Nice abstract, I like the flow though the image.

Division
by nards656

Comment by szalona:
doesnt fit the challenge unless youre trying to pull off this as being orange or perhaps it jsut looks very red on my screen.
ill give you the benefit of the doubt so ... it fits the challenge.
the title isnt interesting and i think that devalues the photo in my eyes. it doenst add anything to the photo and the photo has alot of potential. 7

Division
by nards656

Comment by cheekymunky:
So coo: 8 I'm so glad you havent really got any shadows, that would have ruined the impact.

The Old Barn and I
by nards656

Comment by tngrndream:
ok, my first thoughts are:

the dark is too dark and the brights are unappealing.

it seems that the "subject" is the barn and that should garner just a bit more light to help show it off. i also think that maybe a prop (tractor, cow, saddle) would help give it more of a barn feel.

The Old Barn and I
by nards656

Comment by DanSig:
this is a beutiful image, but not for this challenge.. unless you really feel that old ;)

the barn is not the subject in this photo but merely the frame, and that's what voters disliked..

since this is the image then lets concentrate on that rather than thinking of better ways to photograph...

there is some loss of details on your arm and back wich means the image is overexposed, and there is loss of details in the shadows that means the image is underexposed.. that can be a problem.. to get the correct exposure you need 2 images, one lit for the outside and one lit for the inside, and merge them together.

I think composition is good and I like the pose, looks relaxed.

this is a great photo for the family album.

The Old Barn and I
by nards656

Comment by Louis:
I'm a fan of naturally framed compositions. This is a good one, as your highlighted area is balanced well with the lower portion comprised of the ground, and the left, right, and top, which allow a part of the brighter background to "bleed" through in an interesting way. Your subject (you) is well placed, offering further interest.

I believe this composition has a slightly "busy" feel to it that, to me, detracts somewhat. There's a lot going on in that bright background that we are asked to consider, giving the overall effect of a lack of compositional focus. Though I do indeed like it, your natural frame is rather heavy, and "pinches" the highlighted areas in a way that narrows the field of vision too much.

Despite the requirements of the challenge, I may have liked to see more emphasis on you, either with lighting or a different composition. Perhaps had you not opted for the rather formal and heavy framing, and just concentrated on a portion of the old building, the effect may have been strengthened.

The Old Barn and I
by nards656

Comment by chalice:
I always find this kind of picture difficult. You've done well. The lighting on the barn wood is good. I can see alot of detail in what is an obviously dark location. However, the grass in the background seems too light or washed out to me (the trees are better). I know the grass is a light color, which makes it tough, but I think the picture would be even better if there was not so much contrast between the barn interior and the grass. As for putting yourself in the picture, the pose you are striking tends to make the photo a 'snapshot' rather than a natural composition. If you were doing something that suggested that a person belongs in the picture (perhaps working with a shovel, fixing an old wagon wheel, or whatever) I think you would have strengthened your composition. I don't object to having you in the picture, it gives a focal point to an attractive setting. Overall, though, I think you did a good job (I know I wrestle with the same issues in my photos).