I am new on this forum and am looking to gain more understanding of the digital medium. I took this shot 2 weeks ago in Old Salem NC. I like the feeling of the 1/2 closed gate with the tall building in the background, like they were trying to keep it out. please point out anything you feel could be improved. Thanks

walt

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd272/immolder/timemarchingon.jpg

First, welcome to the forum. This is a great group who will likely give you a lot to think about.

As for the image, you are right to go after the contrasts. They can provide the viewer with a fun thing to consider. This particular image tries to do that but for me it is a bit busy and unclear about its purpose. Maybe a verticle crop that would have limited the field of view to the gate and the building and leave the rest of the items off. Just my thoughts...

As for the image, you are right to go after the contrasts. They can provide the viewer with a fun thing to consider. This particular image tries to do that but for me it is a bit busy and unclear about its purpose. Maybe a verticle crop that would have limited the field of view to the gate and the building and leave the rest of the items off. Just my thoughts...

I agree with the afore, and it is an attractive image. I think the colors look a bit too obviously on the vivid at least for my taste, might just be me.

I think the composition includes too even a balance of sky and foreground. Notice that the lowest point of the sky is almost exactly in the center of the image and that tree on the left is pretty much wasted space. I suspect that a different crop or making it a vertical format would make this image much more dynamic.

From the shadows it looks like you shot closer to noon than sunrise or sunset. That always presents lighting issues to landscape photographers as the light is usually too harsh which is reflected in this image with your whites almost blown out and all the contrast. Go back and shoot this earlier or later in the day.

I took the picture around 10 am, so the lighting was not the best. I will try some different crops and try to post them today. I do plan on going back up to take some more pictures. Thanks for taking the time to offer input.

walt

After reading your thoughts, I tried some different crops. I was not pleased with the vertical, because I felt like it was missing part of the layers. The gate and split rail fence roughly 1800's, and the white house 1900's and today with the tall building.

Thanks for the previous feedback, tell me what works and what doesn't. The lighting I can't adjust now but want to see about the composition so when I reshoot.

thanks walt

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd272/immolder/timemarchingon1.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd272/immolder/timemarchingon2.jpg

I like the first crop.

Welcome to the forum. I agree with much of the comments /suggestions given to you already. I notice there is a street going out beyond the gate into the "new" city. I think it would be interesting to shoot this again moving over to your right some more to let us see the view of the road leading out to the new building. This will bring some much needed depth to the scene. It will also move the tree from behind the chimneys so they do not appear to be growing out of them. Don't forget to do it earlier or later in the day.