Japanese Garden

[PlantedTao]

Comments and critiques appreciated.
Ilford 400 B&W, Yellow #8 Filter.

[dadas115]

This is an interesting shot but I really wonder what it would have look like in color. I like the composition with the rock and sculpture in the foreground to give the scene a sense of depth but I think color might have made the background more interesting.

Greg

[Seb]

Comments and critiques appreciated.
Ilford 400 B&W, Yellow #8 Filter.

Hello PlantedTao. Good film for a good subject (I used to love Ilford when I shot film).

Your picture is technically well executed and I enjoy your compostion but the dof doesn't work at all as I see it. You could have either used a much shallower dof to only focus on the thing (dunno how to call it) in the foreground or a broad dof to have everything in focus. As it stand right now the background act as a distraction. It's too defined for me to simply focus on your subject in the foreground yet not sharp enough to really hold any interest (I hope I make sense here).

regards

Seb

[jar_e]

Interesting shot. Love the simplicity of it actually, and it's quite the interesting subject (besides what others posted). I think it's quite interesting. Just with the shadows, it adds a harsh affect in black and white, and the centre of this piece, in the bottom, is a tad odd looking with the shadow. I agere, a color shot might be interesting to look at,

Nice shot,

Jared

[gahspidy]

Tao, I like the tones and contrasts your getting with your set up. Is this the same set up used in your other post called " Natures Peace"? I agree with Seb here o the dof issue, and I'm also thinking that getting down lower so as to place the top of the sculpture in the sky or standing taller to place the top in the water would have helped to define it better. Still ,, nice for the tones and an interesting scene.

[PlantedTao]

Thanks for helpful remarks everyone.

dadas115 & Jared - I agree that this would of made a stronger image with color as the image now stands. The object (Anyone know what this is?) in the photo would of stood out more. Unfortunately I will be concentrating on B&W for some time, so it may be several months before you get to see a color shot. Maybe by fall

Seb & Gary - The dof was actually on purpose It was the opening ceremony for the garden and there were lots and lots of people in the background. I did not want them in the photo, so used a shallow dof. I'm going to take both of your advice and do a reshoot. I will try a higher perspective to get the object top in the water and a deeper dof.

Gary - I guess by set up you mean camera?...Yes this is the same set up (conditions, film and I think shutter speed). All my shots have been done with a Voigtlander Bessa R2 with 32mm classic lens. LOVE IT! It is a basic camera (doesn't even need a battery!) and is forcing me to learn the mechanics of photography.

Thanks for all the help! CHEERS!

[Outdoorsman]

You know, this works very well for me except for two things: 1) As others said, the DOF isn't quite right. Personally I would like to see even less, to really soften up the bg. 2) I might have tried a red or orange filter. The yellow just didn't quite give it that b&w pop. Just those two things. Otherwise, this is one of those quiet, serene images that I could stare at for a while. Very nice!