The old clutter

[gahspidy]

Had this one for a while. Initially I was uncomfortable with cutting off some of the window at top, but after playing with some crops I think I'm good with that aspect now.
So.... yay, nay, or total dismay?

Thanks.

[Asmarlak]

The overall image is dull, I think it has to do with the color. I'm bothered with the right window that doesn't offer anything but distracting large white space helped with also white space in the other window. I'd close the large window by putting some kind of panel on top of it.

[Greg McCary]

I think the clipped window is fine. I didn't even notice at first. I think it's fine...

[jetrim]

I like this one as is, and think it fits well with your processing style on your other images in this genre. In my opinion the right window is absolutely essential. Without it, you'd lose all that wonderful texture on the left wall. The branches beyond also add a strong sense of disparity to the scene. :thumbsup:

[arne saknussen]

There is a lot of character in this photo. Some objects are neatly placed, like the coffee pot trying to be noble in all this mess.. I don't see dull at all.

[ksbryan0]

I like this image, it makes me want to search through the rubble to see what treasures abound. There seems to be an odd glow along the top of the window on the right side which distracts me a little. Perhaps some faint light rays (vmlopes style) coming in from that light source would add to the intrigue of the scene.

[shootme]

What a beautiful room at least you made it look appealing for someone behind a camera (me). I like the tones, it provides a feeling of age and a time gone past. Don't know how you processed it but it works well. The details are captivating and I can spend some time looking at all the different things. Great shot in my humble opinion.

[armando_m]

This can work as the illustration to a novel

Lots of details and a mystery mood

[gahspidy]

Thanks all for the feedback on this. I had this for a while because I loved the subject and the various items in the clutter but i was uncomfortable with the crop and composition initially. Did not like that I cut off bottom of bookcase for whatever reason, as well as the top of the window. I wanted this to be in a 4x6 format as is another i have from this house but that format in this one looks off balance. i have more room on the right side but leaving that in (just blank space with wall) feels wrong.
So, this 8x10 seems to work, and apparently everyone is ok with the comp.
Ken, are you reffering to the right window and all along its top? Thanks, I'll see what i can do.

[shootme]

This can work as the illustration to a novel

Lots of details and a mystery mood

Exactly Armando. The crop is fine as you are led to the center then work your eyes around.

[draymorton]

I love it, but I'm wondering what it would look like if the windows weren't as bright. I do like 8x10 format.

The desaturated colors really work well for the subject matter, too.

Fascinating image.

[LeeIs]

i like it as is. I understand what Seth is saying, but I DO like this with the semi blown out sky. If they weren't I don't think i'd like it as much. It's much more realistic this way. I know it's more because of the grey skies that day than a blow out really.

but having said that, since it's really an illusion of a bright window, i think the shadow that results from them has to be a tad darker. the room is perfectly exposed for all areas, except i think the area, for example right below the window should be dark and the darkness tapering off. i'm sure you got what i mean already. lol. i can't explain it. let me know if i'm babbling and u need clarification of what i mean. it's 4:26 am :P not my fault.

[gahspidy]

Thanks for the thoughts on this. Seth, I was concerned by the blank areas and overall brightness of the windows as well. Liban, I've always been turned off by HDR images that have the windows reduced to the same brightness as everything else in the room. I wanted this to be natural without being too distracting..the branches on the right upper corner were actually added in later to fill the empty space. Judging by the feedback, perhaps I am somewhere in between that mark. I get your drift on the darkness under the windows being needed. In this last edit I did some darkening under both, although very subtle. Thing is I think is that each window was illuminating the shadows of the others

Here is the 4x6 aspect ratio that i had originally wanted. I added more canvas and room to the left so that the meat of the image balances in the middle somewhere.

Does this work, or is the first 8x10 ratio better?

[GB1]

Gary - It's a pretty powerful image overall. Although it is the title of the image, I wonder if the subject - the overall mess - holds everything together and makes it a strong image, for I see so many things in this pic it is just a bit distracting. Perhaps it's the two windows there bother me a most.. Not sure. Also, perhaps a little more of the bottom floor area would have been justified, just to 'ground' the image.

Overall, a good direction for a change. I see another unnamed poster's influence is rubbing off

G

[LeeIs]

Thing is I think is that each window was illuminating the shadows of the others

ah!! no need to say more. I get it. you're right. there definitely will be cross illumination going on.

I like the original tighter crop. I like how that table on the right is almost the last thing you see before the picture cuts off. In the 2nd crop there's a bit of a space for the eye to wonder to the right of that table but all of it is pretty much a pattern.

[gahspidy]

Gary - It's a pretty powerful image overall. Although it is the title of the image, I wonder if the subject - the overall mess - holds everything together and makes it a strong image, for I see so many things in this pic it is just a bit distracting. Perhaps it's the two windows there bother me a most.. Not sure. Also, perhaps a little more of the bottom floor area would have been justified, just to 'ground' the image.

Overall, a good direction for a change. I see another unnamed poster's influence is rubbing off

G

Thank you for the words, GB. I'm influenced by much of the great work I see here, but this one happens to be 1 1/2 years old. I'd been sitting on this pic having been unsettled with certain aspects of it. Finally went back to it and felt I might have come to terms with it.

So, you think the clutter is good, and, you think its bad? lol I have felt it might be too busy myself... thanks for that.

[gahspidy]

ah!! no need to say more. I get it. you're right. there definitely will be cross illumination going on.

I like the original tighter crop. I like how that table on the right is almost the last thing you see before the picture cuts off. In the 2nd crop there's a bit of a space for the eye to wonder to the right of that table but all of it is pretty much a pattern.

I appreciate your getting back to me with this crop dilema, and....possible waste of everyones time lol
I am also feeling the tighter crop is more effective here.
Much appreciated, Liban

[gahspidy]

OK, one last edit in case this is worth saving...

Added some cloud definition to the window and back to the 8x10 crop. A bit brighter inside.

Any better?

[daq7]

I really like the lighting and the tone and the color of the tool box. I find the overall cluttered look to be a bit off putting in general. Stupid as it may sound to say so I would like it better if the clutter were a bit more organized.

[gahspidy]

I really like the lighting and the tone and the color of the tool box. I find the overall cluttered look to be a bit off putting in general. Stupid as it may sound to say so I would like it better if the clutter were a bit more organized.

Thanks for that, Daq. Might just be one of those "close but no cigar" deals.

[LeeIs]

I like it Gary.

the tilt has been correct. btw, didn't think it had such a problem. lol. but yeah straighter now.


area below the windows are much nicer.

a little more detail in the scenery on the right window. i didn't think it was necessary but it's definitely good edit.

i love the more detail on the right table.

overall very nice. ˇ

[draymorton]

The windows in the last edit look much better - to me, anyway.

[starriderrick]

I really like the edit,Gary.This image is strong,in my opinion "excellent concept & execution" I enjoyed how much constructive feedback was posted. Good stuff!

Rick

[Frog]

I like this photo a lot. The window has been pointed out so often that now it is hard to focus on the sll the good aspects.
Can you clone out the right half of the right window? or You could make the canvas larger and fill in with cloning but that would be very tedious on the left side.

Overall, I love the photo.

[chuckdee]

Cool stuff! I'm a big fan of HDR and use it from time to time on my wedding photos. Keep up the good work!

__________________________________________________ ___
Chuck Dee - AKA Chris
"A good photograph is knowing where to stand." -Ansel Adams
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