desert resort -- enough contrast?

[lisakathleen1961]

Hi everyone. This is a pic from a resort outside Phoenix. I was captivated by the lighting and composition of this picture (one of the hotel's courtyards), but I don't sense much in the way of a "wow" factor from others who see the picture. Is it the composition? Lighting? I find it appealing, but I'm afraid others find it outright boring.

No ego here... I'd love some constructive feedback.

Thank you! -- Lisa

[kstiltne]

I would say the biggest issue that you have with this shot is the lack of a solid focal point. The colors are pretty good, though maybe a little too hot in some spots, but I find there's not much here to really hold my interest. It does however, look like a very nice place to stay.

[KansaiGreenie]

Hi Lisa,

This is an interesting image. If I were at the same hotel, I think that I would have taken it as well.

Without the EXIF data, especially the time of day that this image was made, it is a little hard for me to talk about it. I like the composition, although I think that the foreground elements (the wall of a pool? or a walkway? and chair on the left?) are a bit distracting mostly because I can't quite tell what they are. I think that if you had stood on the wall and shot down a bit you might have been able to remove them from the frame.

As for the light, the shadows are interesting, but I don't think they really work in this image. To me this image is all about the interplay between the red and white walls and the green cacti. I think that I would prefer it on a cloudy day with soft light (hard to come by in Phoenix) so that there are no shadows or at twilight when the shadows would really overwhelm the scene and be the dominate force. Another option would have been to focus in on the shadows so they completely filled the frame and were the main subject. Of course, since I wasn't there, I have no idea if any of these would be possible.

I don't think this a boring image and while it may not have a lot of 'wow' I think it is an attractive image.

I hope that helps.

KG

[lisakathleen1961]

Originally Posted by kstiltne

I would say the biggest issue that you have with this shot is the lack of a solid focal point. The colors are pretty good, though maybe a little too hot in some spots, but I find there's not much here to really hold my interest. It does however, look like a very nice place to stay.

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe the lack of focal point is the problem. I was drawn to the contrasting architecture, colors and shadows. Maybe from another angle I could have made the cactus the focal point. Or maybe I'll crop the photo to rid it of some of the clutter in the foreground. Oh, and yes... it's a great play to stay. Sheraton Wild Horse Ranch in Chandler. I was there for a conference.

[lisakathleen1961]

Originally Posted by KansaiGreenie

Without the EXIF data, especially the time of day that this image was made, it is a little hard for me to talk about it. I like the composition, although I think that the foreground elements (the wall of a pool? or a walkway? and chair on the left?) are a bit distracting mostly because I can't quite tell what they are. I think that if you had stood on the wall and shot down a bit you might have been able to remove them from the frame.

As for the light, the shadows are interesting, but I don't think they really work in this image. To me this image is all about the interplay between the red and white walls and the green cacti. I think that I would prefer it on a cloudy day with soft light (hard to come by in Phoenix) so that there are no shadows or at twilight when the shadows would really overwhelm the scene and be the dominate force. Another option would have been to focus in on the shadows so they completely filled the frame and were the main subject. Of course, since I wasn't there, I have no idea if any of these would be possible.

I don't think this a boring image and while it may not have a lot of 'wow' I think it is an attractive image.

I hope that helps.

KG

Hi. That helps a LOT. Thank you!

I forgot to include the EXIF:
f/8 1/250 ISO 100; Shot at 55mm at 4pm in the hot desert sun! Although I've had my D60 for a year now, I've learned a lot since taking that shot last month -- like when NOT to shoot. Next time I'd choose some time closer to dusk.

Regarding the shadows, that's what drew me to the photograph to begin with. I took another shot zoomed in on one of the windows. I like that one because it really plays up the shadows. The other review felt there was lack of a focal point, which I agree is part of the problem. You're right... there's a lot of clutter in the foreground. I can't go back and retake (I agree with you... a different angle might have reduced the clutter)... but maybe I'll just play around with the cropping some off the bottom.

Thank you again. Very helpful feedback.