Break Up?by
Steveo77zComment by CEJ: Hello from the Critique Club!
I have studied your image and have the following to offer:
Composition/perspective - I get the concept you are going for, but the picture in the foreground is more of a distraction. It takes a while to get what it is and by then your attention has been drawn away from the main subject, the note. Compositionally, I feel this could have been a much stronger image without the pitcure and the note placed such that is looks 'thrown away' (see below) or the bottom third of the picture cropped out to make it less of a distraction and keep attention on the note. Your angle of approach is good to the subject allowing for spot on focus in that area with good detail - the wrinkles in the paper, etc. (see below) The text is placed well by rule of thirds in this crop.
Color - b/w, nice contrasts and balance between the black/darker areas and the white/lighter areas. The shadows blend nicely with and help balance the papers white.
Lighting - well controlled lighting and good placement. There are not blown out areas on the paper, the strongest white, and the lighting is not overpowering as the wrinkles and ruled lines are still plainly visible. The shadows are not overpowering and on and around the paper enhance the scene.
Challenge requirements - the requirement was for 'garbage.' The composition here does not necessarily portray garbage. If the note and or picture were say, in a waste basket, this would be garbage as well as support your title better as well. I think this is where this image fell short a bit.
Overall/my opinion - with a different composition this would be a much stronger image not only for the challenge requirements, but on its own as well. The theme is there and the realization of the idea is well done. Removing the distractions would help bring out the emotive force as well.
Photographer found comment helpful.