Window I - Comments Please - DPChallenge Forums

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

07/22/2003 01:22:41 PM · #1

Greetings...

I would love to hear any of your thoughts on this photo...

Damitriel

Sony DSC-F717

07/22/2003 01:30:17 PM · #2

It's symmetrical and I like the tones. But the wow-factor is very low.

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/22/2003 01:53:31 PM · #3

I don't like the symmetry actually. I wish there was more context to it, or something happening, even a person standing by it, under it, leaning, looking away, anything. It seems like the scene of something.

I like the tones, too, but that's true for most of the pictures you do - they are pleasing on the eye and this one is the same. I don't care as much about dpc-wow as dpc does, but it feels something is missing.

e301

07/22/2003 02:03:27 PM · #4

I like it: though it has a weird and unaccountable feeling of being slightly off-vertical. Would love to see a colour version - from the contrat it looks like the ones of the brick and the wood would make an intersting contrast. The reflections in the glass are eye-catching too.

Ed

ellamay

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

07/22/2003 02:07:37 PM · #5

I agree, a bit too centered and would love to see a splash of color in it perhaps.

07/22/2003 02:26:40 PM · #6

Originally posted by e301:

The 'slightly off-vertical' is the key here. This is the part I want to discuss eventually :)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/22/2003 03:21:34 PM · #7

I like the shot for what it is, a really neat old window. The range of tones in the bricks really makes the pictures. The actual window was kind of an afterthought for me due to the interesting bricks. I also feel it is off vertical. I copied it to Photoshop to check...
I checked the horizontal and vertical aspects of numerous lines in the photo using guidelines in PSD. Most lines are dead on vertical and horizontal, but some are off, which is to be expected in an old building that has settled and shifted. Here is what I found:

The red lines show where the horiz and vert elements are off a little. All other lines I checked in the image were perfect.

The window panes themselves have a great deal of detail and character, but they seem to get overlooked in the image. I think this would be worth visiting again, but bring along a prop. (reminds me of your apple on the urinal idea). Maybe put a small vase with flowers on the sill... Something to add a splash of color, and do some closeups of just the window and the prop.

As for the overall composition, I think the arch at the top feels a little crowded, as compared to the vast space below the window. I would try a shot with more room above, and also a shot with the wall and window, but with the window off center...

Just a few thoughts!
JD Anderson

Message edited by author 2003-07-22 15:36:59.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

07/22/2003 03:22:50 PM · #8

The gist of this shot, to me, is in the interplay between the weathered imperfections/markings of the narrower frames and panes (i.e. the top right one) and the wonderfully ambiguous reflections on the glass.

Another contrast dynamic takes place horizontally between the absolute shadow-to groove-to board-to shadow, just above it. The surrounding brick wall, although rich with detail and serial variety, curbs my visual delight by providing approximately 200 pounds of visible cement (in the cracks). The arched brickwork at the top also adds a rudimentary ornament, which does little to support the potential use of 'a sea of bricks' as a complimentary context.

I welcome the almost imperceptible vertical 'tilt' in the photo (it seems balanced horizontally). It suggests, appropiately 'leaning' and 'age'.

07/22/2003 03:22:51 PM · #9

OK... so how do I embed a photo from 'My Portfolio'? I always do it from Pbase, but that was my first try from a DPChallenge portfolio image.

07/22/2003 03:24:37 PM · #10

Originally posted by smellyfish1002:

OK... so how do I embed a photo from 'My Portfolio'? I always do it from Pbase, but that was my first try from a DPChallenge portfolio image.

Forum Code How-To

07/22/2003 03:28:00 PM · #11

'['mg]//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=30007[/img']'

Using the directions in the tutorial (which is what I did to begin with) I get this (minus the apostrophes I inserted so it doesn't look like more code to the server...
It doesn't work.

I went to the image page in my portfolio, copied the url, pasted itinto the dialog box when I hit the add image button...
When I do so using a Pbase image, I have to add .jpg to make it work. That does not apply for the portfolio image

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

07/22/2003 03:29:48 PM · #12

Message edited by author 2003-07-22 15:37:15.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

07/22/2003 03:29:58 PM · #13

right click the image, go to properties, you'll see the image url is //images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/5475/orig/30007.jpg

Thats the 1 u wanna use :)

07/22/2003 03:30:22 PM · #14

Thanks for the comments so far...

the 'tilt' problem here is twofold... first of all, i doubt that the buklding is perfect... secondly, I was shooting at a slight up angle with the camera... the camera was below window level and it is also possible that my camera was not centered properly for this composition.

My question is:

When making a photo like this one, which elements need to be used for lining up the composition? When I composed this particular photo, I used the brickwork at the top of the frame as a reference point. I did this because I felt that any problem with those horizontal lines would be a larger distraction/problem than the slight tilt of the window itself... Any ideas on that?

07/22/2003 03:38:59 PM · #15

Originally posted by Konador:

right click the image, go to properties, you'll see the image url is //images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/5475/orig/30007.jpg

Thats the 1 u wanna use :)

Thanks, Ben, that's what I needed. The tutorial should provide the correct instructions. If you follow them as is, copying the url from the browser address window, it doesn't work!

Thanks for your help.
JD

autool

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

07/22/2003 03:43:42 PM · #16

John,
Are you hell bent for taking it straight on or could you go for a slight angle? Wouldn't that change the perspective enough to make the misalignment more on purpose? How much would that change the effect you are after? If you were after a shot of the window and the oldness/ texture/ or relationship of all the elements, couldn't you get that from another spot?

Dick

Message edited by author 2003-07-22 15:44:30.

07/22/2003 03:56:37 PM · #17

Originally posted by autool:

I'm sure I could have taken this shot from several angles which would offer perspectives that aren't available in this one. In this particular case, and in a few other recent photos I have done, perspective and depth has not been my objective as much as tone and texture.

I may go reshoot this window because I think I can improve it some. When I do, I will shoot a snapshot of the environment that it's in as well... probably try a few perspectives also. Adding too much of a side perspective to this shot is going to introduce the top edge of the building into the frame... dunno if that would be good or bad...

autool