The bits and peices of power. 44 magnum cartridge
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by Blackbox:
Why oh why do people keep, over and over use the words 'Bits & Pieces' in the title of their photo? We all know the challenge name is 'Bits and Pieces' - it' s like you're trying to convince us when it should be obvious. I see it's bits and pieces of bullet making equipment - why not call it 'Copper & Brass'? But then again, I see you may have access to a powerful weapon - you can call it whatever you want! };>)

Forgotten and over grown
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by levyj413:
This is a nice photo of an old building. I'd say your score reflects that.

But it's a pretty straight-on shot, with minimal visual interpretation. There's nothing breathtaking about it, and your score also reflects that.

Finally, when I first saw it, I thought "oh, a nice cottage in the woods." And that conveyed emotions of happiness. Whereas your title indicates you were going for abandonment. That stronger emotion needs a photo that grabs you or jangles your nerves.

There are two or three things you could try differently here to better convey abandonment. Two mean reshooting it, and the last means reprocessing it.

All of these are aimed at conveying stronger emotions.

1) Try a different angle. Low down along one wall, looking up diagonally. Looking down the length of the porch. Stepping back some and almost losing the outline in the trees. Those are just my ideas sitting here at my desk. Go try them out and try out anything else that strikes your fancy. Digital's wonderful for allowing you to play around.

Here's an example of something that'd be much less interesting straight-on:


2) Try different lighting arrangements. Even with the sun, you can vary it. For example, you could put the sun directly behind the chimney, which would darken the details, enhancing the dreariness. Or you could shoot from the inside looking out, like this pic:


I don't necessarily mean focus only on the window, but do you see how the brightness outside contrasts with the dim, emotionally draining interior?

3) Try this in B&W. I find that to convey negative emotions, esp. sadness, abadonment, despair, etc., B&W is terrific. Depending on the angle of the shot, you might be able to get a feeling of the trees looming over the house.

Look at this one, for example:


Those are just some ideas. Basically, they come down to trying angles, lighting, and post-processing beyond the typical "stand in front and shoot it" thing.

Message edited by author 2006-08-04 13:57:05.

The bits and peices of power. 44 magnum cartridge
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by bood:
scary

Geno's Famous Steaks
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by Louis:
In response to your request for a comment on this photograph:

The most engaging thing about this photograph is its vibrancy of colour, which is usally a very satisfying element. Beyond this, for me anyway, there is not much else that strikes me as interesting, and the technical merits of the photo, from my limited experience, are not particularly ground-breaking. You've chosen what comes off as a dead-centre composition, which, as I'm sure you know, must have a specific purpose in the frame in order be carried off well. Consider another angle, where your subject remains the sign, but where there's more to the right or left of it to consider. If this is the only angle that works, and I kind of infer that from some of the other photos of it in your portfolio, then in my opinion this subject will remain kind of static and unappealing, unless it means something to the viewer. Specific meaning isn't a reason not to take a picture, but you have to expect others not to "get it". This is especially true of literal representations of something, such as this image.

Having said that, I do like the way the roof at the lower portion of the sign lifts up and supports the rest of the composition. The clouds are a nice frame to the rest.

columbine_sm.jpg
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by tinky2:
Beautiful flower shot. I've only briefly played with raw conversions, but I think you did great.

cardinel4-copy1.jpg
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by macrothing:
Nice capture of the two together. Perhaps a crop variation here to try to gain more balance and show more detail (quality dependent) would make this even better. Apologies in advance if wrong and/or it is natural, but seems a slight purple tint/tinge to this as well.

Philadelphia at Night
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by blondmcfly:
Nice concept but I think it could have ben sharper.

Philadelphia at Night
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by sherpet:
Some great night shots taken in this challenge and this one not to bad...

Philadelphia at Night
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by larryz:
Too much noise...

Philadelphia at Night
by Phillydigishooter

Comment by lkn4truth:
Composition is ok. The choice of subject matter is ok. The image quality is a little below average. - 4