Doorways

[dcclark]

Hello all -- apparently my photos are outside of the normal categories, so I'm posting for a critique here! Here is one of my photos, taken at some truly massive local mining ruins (these are part of an old stamp mill, at which gigantic stamps would crush ore from the mines).

I would like comments on:

1. The use of black and white, and the level of contrast and detail.
2. The composition: has the "window in a window in a window..." effect too clichéd?
3. Anything else you particularly would like to critique. Feel free to be tough! I'm considering using this as one of my main portfolio pieces.



EXIF, for fun:
Shutter speed: 1/80 sec.
Aperture: f/9
Focal length: 42 mm
ISO: 100

[AlphaBjerke]

Ok, I kinda don't like to say much because I certainly don't feel qualified to critique, but I want people to tell me things about mine so...

I can't really say much about the B and W until I see what it would have looked like in color; however, it seems to me that it lacks a good range of color in between the darkest parts and the lightest. Also, I kind of feel that the foreground is overexposed.

The window in window is not too cliche for me, but it looks too much like a optical illusion for my taste and it doesn't grab my interest. I don't know how you could do window in window and done this, but I wish there was more of an angle to it instead of straight down the middle.

I hope that helps.

-Eric

[Vegastar]

I like it, but you have to look at the history behind the photograph and the area. Think about how it makes you feel, and go from there.
If it were my photo I would continue with the B&W, but Id add a black vignette around it and try to maybe make the B&W darker.
I live in W.v and there is a large amount of coal mining here. That makes me think of dirty, dark, scary So I would edit using those words to describe the outcome of a photo if I took one of the coal mines.
I may just be rambling, but I hope it helps

[RoyL]

The composition is fine.

The image is flat, this should be a fairly high contrast image to be effective. I am guessing that you have done some editing.

I ran it through photoshop and tried to adjust the contrast a bit, sharpened it a little and then applied a very very fine vingette to the outer edges........



You probably can do a lot better as you have the original image and I was working with a screen copy.

[dcclark]

Roy -- I like your edit, but here's why I didn't do something like that myself: I'd already pushed the levels as far as I could without losing detail in the hilights (except the very bottom) or the shadows. So in yours (for example), there is no detail inside the first door.

The "gritty" feel definitely reminds me of photos from that era, however.

What do you think -- keep the detail, or bump the contrast higher?

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Roy -- I like your edit, but here's why I didn't do something like that myself: I'd already pushed the levels as far as I could without losing detail in the hilights (except the very bottom) or the shadows. So in yours (for example), there is no detail inside the first door.

The "gritty" feel definitely reminds me of photos from that era, however.

What do you think -- keep the detail, or bump the contrast higher?

You want both, and it is achievable.

I never use Level's. Much prefer to spend half an hour tweaking each of the colors until I have what I want, assuming the image is in color and if it isn't then the same amount of time on the contrast. Curves is a far more useful tool and you would be amazed at the amount of detail that it can bring out in an image.

Curves would work perfectly for you because you can fix the highlights with markers and then you can work the midtone and shadows. And most editors have a Curves adjustment or you can get plugins. Don't know what software you are using.

Looks like it was shot in the Middle East to me, just has that look.

[dcclark]

Roy -- you are a great help, I've ignored curves for too long. Attached is my go at re-editing my photo -- I kind of like it...

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Roy -- you are a great help, I've ignored curves for too long. Attached is my go at re-editing my photo -- I kind of like it...

That is much better, you now have some contrast. The image still looks like it could use some sharpening to bring out more detail. It only need's a fine sharpen. Using Unsharp Mask I would go for 70% 1.1 or 1.7 Radius and 0 Threshold. You could apply this setting twice. Most people don't realize that sharpening not only enhances detail but draws it out as well.

I like the work on your photo gallery.

[dcclark]

Roy -- yep, sharpening does help it pop out a little bit more. Thanks very much for the complements! I'm starting to put together a portfolio, so I'm glad that my work looks good to someone else.