Spring Time Melancholy - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/11/2003 12:32:01 AM · #1

Hello all, I've been resisting this for some time, as we all have many images to vote upon and critique, but the following shot is one of my favorite shots, but most folks seem to think it unexciting.

I'd like to know how to make it better so that more enthusiasm could be generated. Thoughts?

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=17327

frisca

Nikon D70

05/11/2003 12:38:48 AM · #2

david..what is it? To me, it looks like someone cruelly hung the antlers of a creature in a barbed wire fence. and its all juxtaposed with that field of gentle purple flowers. I'm not sure why its "unexciting" to me, its got quite the message (if I understand what I see correctly)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/11/2003 12:41:41 AM · #3

I don't know that it has some deep "message," but I thought the juxtaposition of the antlers and the flowers to be interesting and very engaging. Hmmmm....

frisca

Nikon D70

05/11/2003 12:46:28 AM · #4

it felt almost shocking to me. Like a murder in the middle of a garden. (though not quite so graphic!)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/11/2003 12:54:46 AM · #5

So you perhaps did not find it "uninteresting," instead you found it slightly disturbing or even offensive (in perhaps a good way--I hope?).

Here is another shot from that same place:

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=18005

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/11/2003 12:59:16 AM · #6

I like it. I know it is weird but I see this stuff all the time. We have plenty of hunters around here. I for one don't save the antlers after we go hunting, but some do. I have seen arches made with antlers. Pretty cool stuff. Great pictures david!

frisca

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/11/2003 01:00:26 AM · #7

no, I didn't find it uninteresting at all. the second shot you posted felt actually disturbing to me, but its like photojournalism. Its truth telling in a very stark way.

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/11/2003 01:26:13 AM · #8

The second shot would be great without the flag. ;)

I posted a comment on the first.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/11/2003 01:53:09 AM · #9

Something to remember...deer and elk shed their horns every year. So, it does not mean any were killed. Not to say some were not.
I have seen (and want) some very elaborate and striking pieces made from antlers. Chandeliers, coffee tables, etc.
It may intone certain some kind of "cruelty" or guttural feelings to some, but to others it is a way to live and a way of life.
I have a very nice antler handled knife made by my stepbrother (who is full blooded Native American) and treasure it because it is natural and is not "wasting" animals.
To me, if we weren't so technically advanced...how else would we be living? But, I am totally into the outdoors and nature (not a granola (C: ), and work to preserve it. And that does mean the need to control populations, too.

tracy

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/11/2003 04:12:13 AM · #10

Originally posted by dsidwell:

Tracy,]I really like this shot; I would suggest is increasing contrast a bit, and possibly just a very small increase in saturation. Your sharpening also seems conservative, though again not by much.
I played with it in PS, and the result does have more impact.
I don't know how tight your crop was, but if you have room you may want to play with alternatives there as well. The antler protruding in at upper left is just a bit of a distraction.

e301

05/11/2003 04:27:27 AM · #11

Apart from the extra bit of antler top left, which is a little distracting, I think light is your problem here. As it stands the composition is pretty flat and even - could just imagine it with a low evening sun sweeping across the field, cross-lighting the antlers: would also perhaps help the depth of the blue, and light even bring out the metal of the wire. Also wonder if getting closer would help - could you concentrate on the area where the antlers are wired to the fence, to get more detail of the barbs, and the horns still be recognisable? That might give you a chance to use DOF to lightly blur the field, just enough to give it a soft-focus efffect.

Just a couple of thoughts if it were me. Though I suspect the light thing is what a lot of people will be meaning if they find it uninteresting. As a subject, it's excellent ...

Ed

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/11/2003 10:18:57 AM · #12

Very helpful! Thanks!

sherryk471

Olympus C-2100UZ

05/11/2003 11:09:04 AM · #13

I agree that the lighting could be better here however,this shot would be more interesting to me if the live critters were attached to the antlers. Sorry...just me.

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/11/2003 11:26:38 AM · #14

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

My grandfather used to make cribbage boards and end tables out of the antlers and drift wood. He had a whole garage full of antlers at one time. I would love to see a picture of you knife. Sounds interesting.
Sonja