Waiting For God

[ColoradoBrit]

Nikon D5000
F29
1/6sec
Priority: A


Comments welcomed, on composition and post work?........



http://www.flickr.com/photos/castlerockbrits/

[jpamyers]

f/29???

You obviously meant to use that...you were in aperture priority...so...how come f/29?

[LeeR]

I often warn people that symmetry can be a killer in a photograph. People naturally tend to think that symmetry is a good thing, only to find it has ruined what could have been a great composition. There is, of course, an exception, and that is when nearly everything in an image has a symmetrical partner EXCEPT...something. Then our eyes are naturally drawn to the one thing that is out of place; the exception. This is a fabulous example of putting that technique to work for you to express an idea. Oh, I love the irony in your title as well!

[bbtom10]

There's something not quite adding up about this shot - I think it is great and echo LeeR's comments about symmetry, but I think that it is just slightly off balance and therefore doesn't quite scan.

Can I suggest a very slight crop to the right hand side, possible a touch of the bottom as well just to ensure that you have precisiion symmetry with the lights on both sides.

I love the processing work and the composition is great, just a small crop should make this one shine IMO.

Tom

[photogeek72]

The post processing is very well done. I like the sharpness and contrast you created. The only thing i would have done differently is the angle. I would have gone down to the floor and tried to take the shot looking up closer to the stairs. I think that angle would have given the picture a more dramatic look. Nevertheless, it is a great picture.

[ColoradoBrit]

Thanks for the feedback. When i was processing i converted to B&W which gave the picture more of a depressing look to it. But i still think the lines in the brick work are a little over-powering on the eye. Good idea though to possibly take a lower stance or indeed crop the image across the width. I do like the outcome of this picture, i do however feel that it looks businer than i first thought with too many lines (if you get my meaning).

Many thanks for the feedback.

Regards,

Garry

[bbtom10]

I have to say that the lines in the brick contrast nicely with the sharpened grain in the wooden doors - I thin kit is a great pic - good idea about change of angle, but I think this one is a keeper!

Tom

[Michael_2010]

Man, that tells one sad story. I like pretty much everything about it, except that for some reason my eyes immediately travel to the top of the entryway. The architectural detail of the arch should terminate in a more appropriate way. Right now the curves on either side lead up to a flat top and my mind's eye keeps rejecting that idea. lol

[BryanC]

I think it's an interesting candid with a matching title...very nice work.

I sort of studied this for awhile, trying to figure out exactly what was a little off for me. There is that little bit of lens distortion near the edges and the 'perspective' angles, but that wasn't it. I put a grid overlay on top and looked more in the center of the image. Although the railing lined up just about perfectly vertical, all of the other lines were a little tilted clockwise, especially the doors, the windows and the stairs. I rotated it counterclockwise until these were fairly square to the grid. It seemed (to me at least) to make it more pleasing to the eye. It's just one guy's view of it, but, try it out, see what it does for you.

As for it being too busy with too many lines...I don't think so at all. I'm looking at it in another way and I see the two people that are lying down almost becoming part of the lines, if that makes sense. What really makes this work then is the third guy, sitting on the stairs. He is that added element like Lee mentioned, that breaks it all up and adds the interest. And, even though he doesn't fall into a 'rule of thirds' position, it still works for me. I can't explain why, but I think that because he doesn't, makes him less significant, mirroring the subtle sadness of the image. Sorry to get all deep on you......but it's what I see...again, just one guy's view of it.

Added: Oh yeah, I was curious about the f/29 choice, also.

[candleman]

very cool...

my only problem is that it isnt straight.
notice the stair at the bottom rises on the left, and the lights at the top of the frame have a diferent amount of space above them.

i also noticed that the handrail/walls on either side of the image have more of the wall showing on the right hand side.

i think if you straighten, and crop to that it is identical.. it will "settle' the image more and realy make this incredible.

EDIT:
the contrast in the bricks ins too much for me... thats whats buggng me too
if you tone down the cntrast in the bricks, and upof the doors and guy sitting down.. i think this will take this image to the next level.

nice job.