Retro Texaco Pumps

[lcumings]

while driving through Independence, WI I saw this retro Texaco station, still in business, so stopped to take some pics. This is a single .nef file tonemapped in Photomatix Pro and run through Photoshop. Still a bit new at this game and would appreciate comments, especially re saturation.
Photo handheld; taken with Nikon D90 with Nikor 18-200; ISO 200; f5.6 1/50th.

[daddyoproductions]

I personally love those old gas pumps and they make for good subjects. As far as the saturation and HDR, it's a little over done for my liking. It kind of makes me feel like a drawing not a portrait. If that's what you were going for then it looks good under that category. Just like in life, everything in moderation. Also, don't forget your rule of thirds when it comes to composition. You could always crop it some. But always remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some might love it but for me, it's a little over done.

~G

[lcumings]

The heavy HDR was intentional. As for the rule of thirds, I agree. It looks better when cropped 8x10. Thanks for the input.

[Sterling]

I bet this would look great if shot from a little closer and from a much lower angle to place the pumps against that dramatic sky. The exaggerated angle would complement the heavy HDR much more than the conventional snapshot angle. By getting lower, you would remove the disracting background elements and concentrate on the subject of the photo - the old pumps.

[milosh]

Originally Posted by Sterling

I bet this would look great if shot from a little closer and from a much lower angle to place the pumps against that dramatic sky. The exaggerated angle would complement the heavy HDR much more than the conventional snapshot angle. By getting lower, you would remove the disracting background elements and concentrate on the subject of the photo - the old pumps.

This is exactly what I also thought.

[ecate78]

Hello !

I totally agree with the two above me comments. Plus I'd like to add that the dramatic sky is gorgeous and seems almost made of water. Finally I am a bit puzzled by the difference in lightning between the sky and the ground. Usually the sky is brighter, unless it's night and nearby you have a source of light. Don't know if these kind of details matter in a hdr.
About the colour of the gas pumps is overly saturated, especially with such a dramatic and dark sky, I think you should allow a darker color for the color pumps: the way it is now I only see the sky, the gas pumps being too light.

Like the picture's sky very much.