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.