Desaturated Farm

[girlfriday89]

My first critique submission. I'm not sure if this works. I was going for a gritty, desaturated take on the standard barn shot. Usually I know before I even click the shutter if I shot works or not, but I can't decide on this one.

[uvsub]

I like the desat effect on the weeds, field and farm buildings. However, there really isn't much happening in the sky to justify it occupying such a chunk of real-estate. Giving us more weed with the great puffy heads higher in the frame would really emphasize the deal while minimizing a fairly dead sky.

[ELAY]

I like the low saturation look, and it is an interesting idea for this shot.

When I do low saturation I try to compensate for the flatter colours by going for lots of contrast. Try some steep S's in curves as a start.

If I were really working on this shot, I would probably try to process the foreground and sky differently -- going for dark greens in the grass, and a greyblue for the sky, again with lots of contrast to make up for the interest you lose in dropping saturation.

EL

[jiminyClickit]

girlfriday89, Welcome

As taken, the look is what one might feel in the middle of the day after working in that field, everything seeming to be too bright. The horizon has a look that a crop would disturb. More weeds, less sky would cool the look. More sky, less land would be minimally interesting.

Unless you want to retake it for other reasons, what you have can stand as it is. But without knowing more about your doubts, it's only a response to my own memories. What one thing bothers you most?