Overgrown Manseby
NikonJebComment by Louisa: Greetings from the Critique Club!
This shot instantly reminded me of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. I think you chose great subject to overexpose.
I like the angle you used for this shot. It gives the house a grandiose presence, and captures the plant growth that has invaded. I particularly like the plants that seem to be bursting through the ceiling on the porch. The delicate branch reaching towards the house on the left is great too. It brings some good detail and life to the mess of foliage.
A couple of my favorite elements of this shot are the lines along the top of the roof, and around the roof trim. The subtle line outlining the very top is excellent. Without this, I may have thought it was too overexposed. The shadows and contrast in the trim also bring some nice detail to the shot – and a perfect place too, since my eyes are drawn to that corner.
I wasn’t so sure about the hanging leaves on the upper left at first. I thought they seemed too out of focus, and looked almost like a painting. However, the more I look at the shot, the more I like them. They really add to the mood. The plants at the bottom are also well lit, without being overexposed. You left the overexposed-ness to the main subject of the shot, the house. Well done.
I also think you made the right choice by going black & white. My only suggestion for improvement may have been to bring a tad more detail out of the right column. It’s not really necessary though. And I’m not sure how’d you manage it.
Overall, a great shot. The more I look at it, the more I like it. IMO, your score should have been closer to the 7-8 range.
Photographer found comment helpful.
