Robinson Crusoe's pan

[StormRider]

I don't know what's wrong, but somehow this shot didn't quite turn out as intended. Don't get me wrong, the camera did it's job correctly, but I feel that something is not quite right about this picture and I don't know what. I already adjusted the levels, added contrast, ... but still something is missing/not right.



Any idea what is wrong here or how this picture can be improved?

[jiminyClickit]

StormRider,

As an ordinary human being, there are things I'm used to: trees, even stumps or parts of trees are usually vertical and have branches that begin large and taper off gradually. Often they are shown coming out of the ground. This is none of those things.

Objects that depend on lighting to show their shape and identity are more recognizable when lit well, especially simple items like pans. The contrast has turned this pan into an oval "something."

Background sometimes is important to see clearly as part of the whole photograph's effect; since your title indicates open water may be near, this is another uncertainty.

So I'm uncertain about most of the parts of the photo, while still believing it's an idea worth doing again, differently. Titles sell, but only when reflected well in photo.

[StormRider]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

StormRider,

As an ordinary human being, there are things I'm used to: trees, even stumps or parts of trees are usually vertical and have branches that begin large and taper off gradually. Often they are shown coming out of the ground. This is none of those things.

Objects that depend on lighting to show their shape and identity are more recognizable when lit well, especially simple items like pans. The contrast has turned this pan into an oval "something."

Background sometimes is important to see clearly as part of the whole photograph's effect; since your title indicates open water may be near, this is another uncertainty.

So I'm uncertain about most of the parts of the photo, while still believing it's an idea worth doing again, differently. Titles sell, but only when reflected well in photo.

Thanks a lot!
Indeed, the water shouldn't be blurred in this picture and the black pan totally lost it's look due to the lighting.
Too bad I can't go out and try it again since it's 3000 miles from where I live, but it surely teaches me to try to get different exposures when I see something that might be a good idea

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[RexK_Cozumel]

I'll have to agree with Jimmy on this one. While the tree branch being at an angle does not bother me and I can even understand wanting to zoom in on the pan cutting off most of the tree. What bothers me most in the picture is the fact that I can not tell that the big black ovalish thing is a "pan". from the picture it looks like if you walked to the other side of the tree and shot there you would have had a much easier time getting the pan and background exposed correctly. Try walking around the object to find the best angle/lighting next time.

Oh and the blurred out background does not work for me in this photo either.

[StormRider]

Thanks, I think I see what's wrong now. I'll try to get it right next time. Problem is also that this is shot at noon, which isn't the best lighting period, but one doesn't always have the choice of course.
In general a black pan needs good lighting to jump out...

[RexK_Cozumel]

Maybe use your flash to fill in subject?

[StormRider]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

Maybe use your flash to fill in subject?

I've never even considered this with fixed objects actually. I do use fill flash for portraits of people/animals and now I start wondering why I didn't think of using it on objects...

Great tip there, I'll certainly try that next time, thanks!

[JaxSnaps]

don't know how 2 explain why or how cos I don't have the knowledge but just having the feeling the pic doesn't work 4 me!

[RexK_Cozumel]

So stormrider basically you will have to go back to the Bahamas and retake the photo and while your at it I am sure a few people from DPS would volunteer to go with you to give you advice on how to get the shot as well as long as you paid for the trip

[jiminyClickit]

StormRider,

If you want to fix it a little before your next trip, there's enough information in the shot to work with: