Done in the Gardenby
OneSweetSinComment by e301: hello from Critique Club Anna
Now, before I go any further I'm going to say that I don't like this shot: I'll try not to be overly harsh in my thoughts.
Not only is the broad range of tones very low, there's also remarkably little contrast - to the extent that the metal shaft of the shovels almost blends in with the wood behind them, and also with such even lighting any real sense of texture has gone. This leaves very little visual interest for me: I would think that some side light on the whole set-up is needed, because I think there probably IS good texture there, and contrast between wod, metal and leather. There's no depth here, no sense of the real shape of these things, of what they'd be like to hold.
Compositionally, I find it strange too: that empty space to the left of frame - why did you keep it there? And why place to boots so far toward the bottom of the image? There's an absolutely classic composition just waiting to be released here: move the spades a little to the left and you have a triangle between their shafts, and toes and the ankles of the boots: a very strong shape, and it would also allow you to place the shovels on one of the strong lines, rather than almost-but-not-quite central as here. And why shoot such an orthodix study at an angle to the fence, which brings that odd diagonal and edge of the step into the picture, but not in such a way that they contribute anything? Don't get your reasoning ...
And I don't really 'get' the sepia toning either: feels like an attempt to age the shot, but somehow those boots just don't look old or weathreed or used enough to be appropriate to that treatment.
I'd certainly have waited for light, or added some myself, to this situation. Sorry to be so negative, but it's a honest reaction to this shot - it feels like a wasted opportunity, like a very rushed submission.
There's the focus issue too, on the nearer of the boots.
But it's lighting, it's all about lighting. Looking through all your challenge entries, I'd say that's the one area your work could really use some guidance, or research, or just help: I think you'd be amazed how your scores would improve (presuming that's what you're after!) A lot of your shots are taken with a very front-on light, which flattens out all the textures and shapes in images - try shooting things with the light to the side, or just slightly behind - just try a couple of experiments: I think you'll be surprised.
Good luck
ed
Photographer found comment helpful.
