The Dam Steps
by ecameron

Comment by EricMGB1974:
A vertical composition emphasizing the ascending steps might have worked better here.

The Dam Steps
by ecameron

Comment by SandyP:
What an awesome photo. The angle of the hill with that striking structure there make this so interesting to look at. I love it.

Once upon a farm
by ecameron

Comment by mpeters:
Hi from the Critique Club,

Ahh, a photo from a great state for country life.

First Impression: Some say a title doesn't matter. I disagree and think you did a great job of choosing a title for this image. The photo certainly portrays a side of country life, just maybe not the side that usually comes to mind.

Composition: Overall, I like the compositoin. My only suggestion would have been a little more space to the left of the house and just a little more on the top of your frame. IMage might have been strengthened by cropping out the trunk of the small tree on the right, leaving only the large one. This cropping would have still left the circular plow marks in the field which are an important part of the image. I noticed some commentators felt that the trees were a distraction, they may have a valid point and a tighter crop to the building might yield a stronger image.

Technical: The lighting seems a little flat(I'm guessing an OHIO winter day??) A little bump in contrast during post processing may have added some depth to the shadows. That being said, your exposure appears to be very good.

Challenge: Its likely that some voters didn't feel that "life" was portrayed very strongly. This is not as "pretty" as some of the other pics in the challenge, but makes the view consider the different side of life in the country. I also had the same thought as some of the commentators. If you get a chance to reshoot try some close ups of the dilapidation. I think you could find some very compelling images in close-up. Keep shooting and make sure to pm me if you have any questions.

mark

Once upon a farm
by ecameron

Comment by ShadowBox:
Nice subject matter with the dilapidated, run-down house. I think from a different angle this might have been a better shot, simply because the tree to the right, along with all the trees in the background, give this picture a very busy feel (at least for me)

Once upon a farm
by ecameron

Comment by Tammer:
Since winter and cold produce such drab colors, I wonder how this would look as a black and white or sepia image. Black and white might give it a nice, nostalgic feel - just a thought.

Once upon a farm
by ecameron

Comment by emayner:
a closeup of the abandoned house I think would have been more dramatic - too far away

Once upon a farm
by ecameron

Comment by floydrowe:
Beautiful... a winner in my book!!!

Once upon a farm
by ecameron

Comment by sherpet:
Rustic feel and well done.

Blueberry Cosmo
by ecameron

Comment by michael_p:
lose the shot glass its really not need here, otherwise the absolut in the middle and the martini glass and shot glass on each side to help the composition out, a sloped background would also help to irradicate the line you have running through the shot which is distracting. Last point is maybe on the blue on white to saturate the blue a little more to offset it from the whitey grey background

Blueberry Cosmo
by ecameron

Comment by Caillie:
The blueberries look black.