A shot I have been dying to try

[AlphaBjerke]

Hello, folks:

I have very often driven by this barn and vineyard and I have had a firm vision of what I want to accomplish: Barn dead center, with the vines leading smack dab into it. Because I was trespassing, it isn't exactly what I wanted (am trying to get permission to go back with a ladder), but it is approaching what I had envisioned.

My questions for this critique:

Do you agree that I need to be higher up? (I did this with my hands over my head and on tip toes).

Does the placement of the horizon line dead center along with the barn dead center work? I purposely broke a couple of rules there.

Should I go for a little less vineyard leading up to the barn and sky and go with a bigger barn in the center?

Thanks so much in advance!


"Leading Vines"



EXIF

f11
ISO 200
1/160
Single shot HDR
17 mm on a cropped sensor (equivalent 25mm)

[zona5101]

Neat shot. I think that there is enough going on in the foreground and sky that the centered horizon isn't a shot killer. I think your vision of shooting from a higher vantage point would work out nicely, especially if you can do so and add a bit more emphasis on the barn itself. I hope you get permission to shoot there, i can see why your drawn to it.

[Jo.T]

i was thinking maybe lower, move over a row or two, shoot down the middle of the rows down low, the vines will still give you a leading line with the barn towering above them at more of an angle, not just the flat front, add a sunrise or sunset would be nice ( dont ask for much do i) Have a play with different heights and angles and see what you come up with, you have found a great subject that will be perfect in every season have fun.

[cristen]

Originally Posted by AlphaBjerke

Does the placement of the horizon line dead center along with the barn dead center work? I purposely broke a couple of rules there.

Many people here in DPS say it's ok to break the rule of thirds if it works for the photo. In yours, I think it did. How I wish the photo has more vibrant colors.

Originally Posted by AlphaBjerke

Should I go for a little less vineyard leading up to the barn and sky and go with a bigger barn in the center?

The barn at this angle didn't quite look like it's the focal point even if it is at dead center and there are lots of leading vines, which "lead" us to Jo.T's comments.

Originally Posted by Jo.T

i was thinking maybe lower, move over a row or two, shoot down the middle of the rows down low, the vines will still give you a leading line with the barn towering above them at more of an angle, not just the flat front, add a sunrise or sunset would be nice ( dont ask for much do i) Have a play with different heights and angles and see what you come up with, you have found a great subject that will be perfect in every season have fun.

I agree totally.

[katia]

i think the composition is absolutely fantastic, the centered horizon really works here. i'm not sure if i would like this photo taken from higher up, or lower down. try both!

however the HDR kills it for me...it looks like a painting rather than a photograph, which i'm not huge on.

[thatBilly]

Originally Posted by katia

i think the composition is absolutely fantastic, the centered horizon really works here. i'm not sure if i would like this photo taken from higher up, or lower down. try both!

however the HDR kills it for me...it looks like a painting rather than a photograph, which i'm not huge on.

Couldn't agree more. I love the viewpoint but the HDR is too heavy for me.

[Bruce A]

Unlike some I like the use of HDR as long as it isn't overdone for the particular shot. I would like to see the barn more prominent in this photo as it is the focal point. The colors seem just a little flat to me but I'm on a new notebook and I haven't calibrated the monitor yet. A higher or better still an offset viewpoint and a larger barn so its perspective and detail is brought out would imo, be worth a try. Nice shot though!

[AlphaBjerke]

Thanks for all of your comments, folks!

I tried the shot from a few rows over, but the width between the rows is too wide and really didn't work for me. You pretty much see a long green swath leading up to it.

As far as getting lower, I can't see how that would work. Believe me, I take a lot of shots lying flat on the ground, but I don't think it would work with this because you would barely see the ground. I will certainly give it a look when I go back, but I am pretty sure this won't work.

A couple of people mentioned the color not being vibrant enough. Personally, I don't get it. I toned down the color on the vinyard (not the barn) because it was too rust colored and detracted from the barn, which I was trying to make stand out better.

I am pretty sure when I work on this some more, I am going to make the barn bigger, as some suggested.

Again, thanks so much!

[wings of a bluebird]

I like the composition but to me it feels very "horror movie"esque - is the barn covered in vines? I can't actually tell what it is about it - but it just looks freaky to me... *hides*

[mshockley]

I can see why your drawn to this shot! Agreed with Zona, I like the idea of getting higher up, and would really love to see that barn better! Find the owner and get permission while we wait anxiously for take 2.....