Church gate

I would really appreciate the forum members opinion on this. Not at all colourful, but something grabbed me about the potential of the scene before I took the shot, and I am pleased with the result. Please be honest, in case I am losing my marbles.

I can see why you like it and took the photograph. Great colours and textures so well caught. Only comment I'd make is that at first sight it looks a bit central, neither one side nor the other. I think I'd try cropping from the left a bit and get rid of that stone on the ground. Well spotted and well composed!

Mike

OK, I am being honest now......

I can see what you mean,Peter. It has potential (a lot) but I would have gone in closer. The corner of the old weathered fence, combined with the rusty metal on the side.It is screaming to get used. But from an other angle IMO. The earthly dirt, left and right of the fence doesn't add much.

In fact .....it breaks down the overall impact. I think there is to much detail found in the wood structure
to use the DOF as you did. I hope it makes sense.

Martin.

Martin I'd have hoped to have taken the photograph from a bit further to the right so less space on left but keeping the top end of the gate in the same place just making its angle change a bit. I wouldn't go in any closer as then surely you'd lose the base of the gate and have an upright leaving the frame and then the gate wouldn't have a firm foundation as it does now?

The texture looks wonderful & the limited dof suits it well, I know what Martin is saying in his last statement but I think it is more that the weathered area on the top bar is leaving the frame whilst still sharp, rather than fading nicely out of the dof as it does on the vertical & diagonal bar.

I think there is a case for a wider shot & a very focal shot on the metal area. There aren't many here that would argue about stopping to photograph this gate, although non photographers watching you would have been a little bemused.
Mikew produces some great abstract & detailed shots from everyday surroundings & I'm sure has been labelled cuckoo by passers by more than once !

Have you tried a mono version Peter ?

Hmmmmm, don't know Mike.
Obviously it has to do with my own style in approaching these kind of subjects (which I love, BTW) The angle just doesn't seem right.

I would have concentrated more on the frontal and horizontal approach, particular from the left side, leading the viewers eye to the the middle half, including the strong diagonal within the fence as a key element. Throwing the background complete OOF, and thereby accentuating the weathered wood structure. That way you won't miss the earth as a foundation. But off course.... that's only my opinion, and certainly not the Holy Grail.

Martin.

I really apreciate the comments guys.

RR , i see the point you are making about the top bar going out of shot while still in sharp focus, and I think you are right, a fade-out would be better.

Martin, I am not sure if a closer image would be better , or just different. But the place is not far from where I live and I will go back and try to produce some different ideas.

This is why i love this forum. What I suddenly think is a great shot, can possibly be made better.

Thank you.

You know Peter....
When I see something like this subject, the first shot I usually take is something similar like this. But I always force myself to explore, and try every angle that is possible, to finally (after a lot more frames) catch the essence of the subject that made me take the picture in the first place. Maybe this style has every thing to do with the light. IMO the light makes the subject, and as long as the light is beautiful and shaping the subject I keep on taking pictures. No second chance there if there is no good light left.

Good light to you on your quest,

Martin.

Thanks Martin What a great website you have by the way.

I like what you have done here, Peter. Beautiful use of narrow DOF and focus point.

I think I would agree with Mike in that it may be a tad central and could have the gate moved to the left a few mm, but that is just my opinion.

That's a quality shot Peter i love the overall colours of the pic and the texture

I feel I should thank Peter for prompting an intelligent and interesting discussion quite apart from the excellent image!

Mike

Hi Peter
There is miles of potential here. Personally I would have stooped down a touch and there by altering the angle a bit and probably improving the dof. Whatever is done that truly lovely piece of woodrot must be in there because that is your no.1 eye grabber then after that its just a matter of the angle and probably a small amount of cropping. I am envious though and well stopped.

Ian

Agreed wholeheartedly!

I like the shot, but agree with RR about the top stopping in focus.

What I'd like to say about Martin's comment is something Don told me when I asked about "The Artistic Eye". Find a subject and photograph it from 25 different angles...at least. Until you find what you are happiest with.
Now, I've got to admit, I still don't go that mad (especially if I'm out with wife/kids in tow), and I know my shots don't yet have that extra sparkle, but it is still a rule of thumb I keep in the back of my mind.


Still a well seen shot though. I agree with RR about non photographers being bemused by you taking the shot. It's only 12 months ago I'd have walked straight past