MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photo Critique => Topic started by: nothingness on January 25, 2009, 01:33
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Hi to all:
I enjoy shooting in low light condition; to me, the dramatic effect of the sky and clouds moves me. The following links is a picture that I have taken of a gloomy day by the aqueduct. I didn't do too much post-processing on the image. Feedback is much appreciated
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1945696&op=1&o=all&view=all&subj=2212022944&aid=-1&oid=2212022944&id=697478065 (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1945696&op=1&o=all&view=all&subj=2212022944&aid=-1&oid=2212022944&id=697478065)
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You are right, it is gloomy.
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Hi-ho,
I often shoot landscapes in low light as well, not always successfully. :-).
I think this image would have been better off taken using an ND grad filter, or if you had a tripod, shoot a bracketed set and layer or HDR the image..
The blown out highlight in the sky I find quite distracting, although it is on a third which makes it not quite so bad, but you're lead into the image by the canal, and then your eyes fix on the bright spot.
Also, I find the horizon line being right in the middle of the page to be too rigid. If the sky had more detail, you could loose 1/2 of the canal image. If the canal had more interest you could loose 1/2 of the sky.. If you see what I mean.
I think when you saw this image in person the sky looked very dramatic and organic, and it contrasted with the harsh, straight lines of the canal... Shooting it as an HDR would have kept that drama I think.
Thanks for sharing.
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I'll ignore the technical problems and critique the image as a commercial stock photograph.
It's message/meaning/purpose immediately escapes me, which is not good. I find it lacking in interest, and I would likely pass it by as I browsed thumbnails. I also find it to be in 'no man's land' with respect to copy space. Yes, there's some room available, but not enough: either make less of it or add more. The colour of the grass is the biggest barrier this shot has to success: alive and green attracts people, dead and brown repels them.
On the positive side, there are some very nice lines to work with, and with a bit of work this might prove to be a moderately good seller. Consider adding a woman with an umbrella (http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-18522835-lonely-woman-walking-with-umbrella-on-country-road-panoramic-frame.html) or two people with backpacks (and maybe even a dog) walking on the road to market it as a 'rainy springtime', 'exploring nature', or 'spring adventure' shot. Those with a more business slant might stick in a businessman with briefcase and umbrella to make a creative 'trouble on the horizon' shot, but it might be tough getting that to work well.
... good luck!
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Thank you all for the feedback; I do find them to be of tremendous help. Thanks again.
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This sells good (in fact the whole series from that session):
(http://69.90.174.247/photos/display_pic_with_logo/113008/113008,1230934456,1.jpg)
Do it good and it'll work fine for you.
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Under the picture you wrote, "this image projects the look and feel that I wish to convey." If this truly projects the look and feel that you wish to convey, then you have succeeded.
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Consider adding a woman with an umbrella ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-18522835-lonely-woman-walking-with-umbrella-on-country-road-panoramic-frame.html[/url]) or two people with backpacks (and maybe even a dog) walking on the road to market it as a 'rainy springtime', 'exploring nature', or 'spring adventure' shot. Those with a more business slant might stick in a businessman with briefcase and umbrella to make a creative 'trouble on the horizon' shot, but it might be tough getting that to work well.
wow SD, you gave me so many idea for my very own future shoots. i am amazed of how you create all those possibilities in just one empty shot.
i can see why you are so successful in micro stock ;)
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On the positive side, there are some very nice lines to work with, and with a bit of work this might prove to be a moderately good seller. Consider adding a woman with an umbrella ([url]http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-18522835-lonely-woman-walking-with-umbrella-on-country-road-panoramic-frame.html[/url]) or two people with backpacks (and maybe even a dog) walking on the road to market it as a 'rainy springtime', 'exploring nature', or 'spring adventure' shot. Those with a more business slant might stick in a businessman with briefcase and umbrella to make a creative 'trouble on the horizon' shot, but it might be tough getting that to work well.
I don't know. Just from that image, I don't think adding people to it will make it any less dreary. I mean I can't picture anything in there saying "spring adventure" or "exploring nature" - I'd want to see people in those, in a park with green leaves and rain coming down through the trees. This one says "lonesome traveler", or "lost on vacation" or something.