I'm back to deleting extraneous photos from the past few years, prepping for next phase of rebuilding my LR library. While deleting hundreds today, I came across a few that were worth saving. I wasn't sure about the processing in this one -- what the focal point is or should be -- the buildings in the fog or the bird and lampposts in the foreground. I decided to process so it could be either. Will be interested to hear what you think.
Update: Based on feedback from Sebastian and Jackie, I moved the bird to the higher lamp and removed the lower one. If interested, it's on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffyraphael/33897708005/in/album-72157640179172166/
Snappy title! (I always look at the title first as it give an indication of how the artist wants me to think of the shot)
One can always revisit a process and crop with the benefit of time passed and make different decisions, but I like it as it is very much. As it appears on my screen the crop on the lower lamp is very tight. All in all, first class as one has got used to seeing in your work, Taffy. Fav.
@casablanca I actually was photographing the buildings and was planning to clone out the lampposts, which is why it's also so tight on the lowest one. As I started cloning, I noticed the bird! Lesson learned -- compose in camera but shoot wider than you think you'll need! @365projectorgsebgritt
I'm torn about the bird and lamp post and keep asking myself what a camera club judge would say. Im not sure the bottom corner is distracting from what is a wonderfully atmospheric image?
@jackie8 Exactly! That was my issue with it -- and @365projectorgsebgritt Sebastian's too. I couldn't let go of the bird, once discovered, but I had a thought after your comments -- move the bird to the next lamp up, and clone out the lower one. What do you think? If I do this I'll tag you but put it on Flickr.
@taffy - if it was a photo of a bird on a lamp as the main focus with the buildings more in the background, for me, that would work better. But this is the great thing about art, it's subjective and what one person/judge likes another maybe not so much. Either way, I love the mysterious atmosphere and mood within the image. Yes, I'm on Flickr so I'll keep a look out.
The lights in the bottom left are an important element to the feel of this image, but either include the whole of base of the light fitting of the bottom light with a bit of space below it or crop the whole light out.Always good to review old images as there are plenty of overlooked gems.
Very atmospheric and I would definitely keep the little bird too so great idea to move it to the other lamp post. For me the glass on the lamp post could resemble a tear, perhaps sorrow on the part of the little bird for the loss of his natural habitat!
Love the buildings peeping through the fog. For me the crop is too tight with the lampposts and I find them a distraction. My own choice would be to crop them out. Love the fog though!! Fav!
Perfect, Taffy. That's the one. There is exactly the right amount of concealment by the fog on the buildings, that bird adds hugely but the tightness of 2nd lamppost, hey presto, gone. Producing what? Photo of the month in my book. Congrats.
I liked it the way it is first, then thought I might not like how dark the lamps and bird are compared to the misty buildings, and then went back to liking it because the contrast of the foreground being so sharp and dark highlights how thick the fog is around the buildings. Great shot- glad you saved it!
I just love that you can casually discuss moving the bird to the upper post and remove the lower one. :). What a journey! I like the changes demonstrated in the Flickr shot better, but the mist, tones and composition are compelling.
I do end up liking the Flickr version better but like Sheila, I prefer the two...just wish this shot had a bit more along the bottom. I think the processing is stellar.
@jgpittenger Isn't there a way in Photoshop to add to one of the edges? I could kick myself for not going vertically on this - but honestly, I didn't even notice the bird until home on my computer screen.
Think it would have taken me longer to notice the bird had I not read the title. My eyes go right to the amazing fog and buildings. I like the flicker pic better, I think that bottom light pole is just to close to the edge. Love the shot.
This is great shot.
I do like the bird but it took a while to find it, and I wonder if you could get rid of the two lamp posts it would give it a 'fine art' feel.
Either way it's a great photo. :)
April 10th, 2017
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One can always revisit a process and crop with the benefit of time passed and make different decisions, but I like it as it is very much. As it appears on my screen the crop on the lower lamp is very tight. All in all, first class as one has got used to seeing in your work, Taffy. Fav.
Here's the edit driven by your comments: https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffyraphael/33897708005/in/album-72157640179172166/
I do like the bird but it took a while to find it, and I wonder if you could get rid of the two lamp posts it would give it a 'fine art' feel.
Either way it's a great photo. :)