Cans of Color ( Canscapes)

[gahspidy]

Canscapes. . . what do you think??
Thanks

[readingr]

Gary,

I really like these a great addition to your series.

The top - the right side on my monitor is a little too dark. I do like the cans and the colours that come through. How low are you when ypu take these photos?

The bottom - looks like the Can has hiked up a hill and looking over a lake at some other hills in the distance The lake obviously is being held back by a dam in the foreground. The sky and clouds really complement the scene. The foreground also gives me the feeling of abandonment which is added to by the crushed can and the rough surface of the sand.

Terrific.

[Chunk]

Real Good. Seeing one of your posts in the forum list is like finding a plate of danish on the treat table at work. I go get a cup of coffee to enjoy with the treat.

You are getting a great sense of depth in this series. Where was this (not that it matters to the photo)?

[Ultra Magnus]

I'm not much of a critiquer but I reall like these two. I instantly got the feeling of post apocalyptic setting where these cans are some of the last evidence of mankind. I guess I feel entertained. How did you do these? Did you just find cans sitting in that setting, and snap the pic, or was there some setup. It almost looks like the whole thing could have been digitally created, but can't tell for sure...

[Hightree]

Well done again, Gary. Looking at the pics I got the feeling that these could have been taken at the moon with that desolate background. I think this makes the subject (the cans) appear even stronger than they already were by retaining their color. Excellent work.

Cheers,
Frank

[villenadecorte]

Gary,
Great additions to your can series. The top one, I feel has a really great DOF. It is not too dark on the right on my monitor but it seems to be an unnatural darkening in comparison to the left of the picture. The only thing I could nitpick is the dark blotch (shadow?) of the leftmost can... my eye is constantly drawn to it.
The bottom picture is great- i wouldnt change anything.
Rebekah
VillenDeCorte

[Overbeyond]

Hello Gary
These almost have a look of a studio set up but I''m sure they are not. I say this because the background seems right behind the cans but I know this effect can be achieved with telephoto zooms. Either way they are up there with your very high standard.
Tom

[gahspidy]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.
This scene is actually just some sand piles set up for some future construction that will be going on somewhere near this place. This is in Floyd Bennet field, same place where I shot my " 55 on its side" scene. These "sand mountains" are about 6-8 feet high and the "lake" is just a few inches of water from some melted snow. but that was the whole idea, to create an environment that is interesting.
The time was mid day ( before heading off for work) and the sun was very harsh, so much so that if not for the dramatic clouds I would have postponed my shoot.
The composition and dof is an effect achieved by using a somewhat wide angle lens ( in this case, 28mm) with a close focusing ability.
Since the lighting was harsh that day, I worked on a lighting effect in PS that would appear as if the subjects were being spotlighted by rays of light breaking through some clouds.
I love the descriptions I have read here about apocolyptic scene, and surface of the moon, etc. This almost otherworldly environment is what I hope to achieve, to some extent.
These were set up. These are some cans that I have been collecting over time.
While shooting these, I had some guy in a jeep pull up and was watching me for quite some time as I was setting up and getting my scenes together in the lens. He finally got up the nerve to ask me what I was doing. I said," I was wondering when you were going to ask me" "I'm doing Canscapes"
His head tilted to the side like a dog hearing a strange noise. Oh he says. And then got back in his Jeep and drove off. I go through this sometimes while doing this series.
I' very happy these are going over well, as it would not be nearly as much fun if it were only I that enjoyed them.
I appreciate the critique and the kind words.

[mtbbrian]

You know Gary, I think these are the most interesting of this series, because the perspective and scale is totally different in these, than all the others.
Had I not read your details, I would have thought these were taken in some high mountain vista, somewhere out my way.
Again, I like the "View From Within" series way better than this, but that is OK!
I admire your desire to do a series!
Keep at it Gary!
Brian

[Aaron]

Gary I've been fascinated by the whole series, it would be great to see them all at an exhibition somewhere, these are certainly "keepers".

[jar_e]

You know Gary, I think these are the most interesting of this series, because the perspective and scale is totally different in these, than all the others.
Had I not read your details, I would have thought these were taken in some high mountain vista, somewhere out my way.
Again, I like the "View From Within" series way better than this, but that is OK!
I admire your desire to do a series!
Keep at it Gary!
Brian

I couldn't agree more. The perspective and proportion is just amazing on this shot.

Great series!

Jared

[gahspidy]

Brian, Aaron, Jared. . . .your comments and thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks for your time, as always

[Tuna]

Very nice, Gary. Great work as usual.

Tuna

[technicolor]

I love the color pop, mood, lighting, everything, the one thing I can find that I dont particularly like is that i can read maxwell house on the can in the top shot, i think the addition of letters on the cans, but I think if that can had be turned about 90* so i could only see a few of the letters I would have liked it a little more. not sure why, but im not liking the brand name.

[LauriePriest]

Lovely piece, really nice subtle color. Well done!