Burning Barrelsby
mystical2007Comment by amber: Hi From the Critique Club!
First of all, congratulations on your first entry to DPC!
One of the questions you should ask yourself when choosing which image to enter, is would I like this image as a print on my wall? If you can't see it on your wall then others won't either. Granted that is not the only reason for your choice, but you need to ask yourself what your motivation is. Are you trying to communicate a message - an emotion, a feeling, or presenting something in a new way. Will others understand that message? Or are you entering images to please yourself?
Your image has potential. Lovely rusting old barrels with lovely detail, texture and colour. However, you have chosen to photograph them from a distance, so we miss all that lovely detail. Moving in closer or focusing close up on one barrel may have had more impact.
Compositionally, the placement of the barrels is a little bland. Try moving around your subject looking through the viewfinder before pressing the shutter button. You can then find a more dynamic compostion and eliminate any unnecessary distractions.
The huge expanse of grass in the foreground adds nothing to the image. The greenery in the background is fighting for attention with the barrels...again moving in closer would eliminate this.
As it stands, the image could have benefited from some post-production work in photoshop or similar - some cropping, and some improvement of those washed out greens, would have improved your image considerably.
The only advice I can give is to look at other people's images that you like. Study how they use the rule of thirds, or leading lines..etc.Then incorporate those techniques into your own work.
Good luck with your next challenge entry!
Message edited by author 2005-07-08 00:07:40. 
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