Pet Cemetery pic

[Max P D]

I've chosen this photo for critique after posting a series of pet cemetery pix shot with a Holga camera in the ViewFinder forum during the past week. The series ran in black & white except for the final image. I thought the photos worked better that way... I've posted the color version just to be different (I prefer the b&w).

What I like best about this photo is the weird foliage in the foreground and how the Holga camera produced a swirling, out-of-focus effect for the background (in the trees).

I'm interested in hearing other takes on the subject - constructive critcism is encouraged.

You can see the series here: http://forums.photographyreview.com/...ad.php?t=25107

Thanks,
Max

[Frog]

I like the composition except for the looking through a tube effect even if that is what you are doing.
I do like the 'weird' plants and that the marker needs to be studied a bit to be read.
Just personal taste so don't change it if you like it.

[Seb]

Originally Posted by Max P D

I've chosen this photo for critique after posting a series of pet cemetery pix shot with a Holga camera in the ViewFinder forum during the past week. The series ran in black & white except for the final image. I thought the photos worked better that way... I've posted the color version just to be different (I prefer the b&w).

What I like best about this photo is the weird foliage in the foreground and how the Holga camera produced a swirling, out-of-focus effect for the background (in the trees).

I'm interested in hearing other takes on the subject - constructive critcism is encouraged.

You can see the series here: http://forums.photographyreview.com/...ad.php?t=25107

Thanks,
Max

Interesting! I like the fact that the signs are almost glowing. The vignetting (or light fall off) works very well here. The color rendition complement the subject. Which film have you used?

Seb

[mtbbrian]

Originally Posted by Max P D

(I prefer the b&w)

Then why did you post a color version of it?
I think the b&w version adds to the mystery of the subject matter.
I like this photograph but I think you have better from this series.
Maybe that its the fact that I have seen this in b&w that makes it harder to comment on the color version.
I really do love this series!
Keep shooting!
Brian

[Max P D]

Originally Posted by Frog

I like the composition except for the looking through a tube effect even if that is what you are doing.
I do like the 'weird' plants and that the marker needs to be studied a bit to be read.
Just personal taste so don't change it if you like it.

Hi Frog! Thanks for the input. The "tube effect" you mention is what you generally get by using a Holga a.k.a. "the Holga effect." I guess I could have cropped it tighter to avoid the vignetting, but I think it's safe to say that most of the folks who use Holgas on this site encourage that look... Just my .02.

[Max P D]

Originally Posted by Seb

Interesting! I like the fact that the signs are almost glowing. The vignetting (or light fall off) works very well here. The color rendition complement the subject. Which film have you used?

Seb

Thanks Seb! I used Fuji 800 - and in addition, I used a polarizer to cut the light if I felt the scene was too bright for using that high speed film in daylight.

[Max P D]

Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Then why did you post a color version of it?
I think the b&w version adds to the mystery of the subject matter.
I like this photograph but I think you have better from this series.
Maybe that its the fact that I have seen this in b&w that makes it harder to comment on the color version.
I really do love this series!
Keep shooting!
Brian

Thanks Brian!

Like I said, "I've posted the color version just to be different (I prefer the b&w)."

Also to see what kind of reaction people might have about the color version since I shot most of the series in color (and there's a part of me that enjoys the color shots), but I feel the series works best in b&w...

Another reason I posted this pic, and maybe it's not the best shot of the series, was so I didn't just get "great shot" compliments and no constructive critcism. I like each photo of the series for different reasons and have a hard time choosing one I feel is "the best." Hope that makes sense.

Happy trails...

[Max P D]

Here's the b&w version in case anyone was wonderin'...

[Seb]

Originally Posted by Max P D

Here's the b&w version in case anyone was wonderin'...

Well, I hardly ever say this but to me, this is a draw. The color version and the b&w both have a whole lot of appeal and they both work extremely well for me.

The b&w allows me to further appreciate the quality of the light as I don't have the color to "distract" me (so to speak...) but on the other hand, the color rendition is especially beautiful. I can't decide which one I prefer.

Seb

[Godfather25]

I think this depends on what you want the picture to be saying, if you want the focus to be the sign....then black and white, i think with the color there is too much confusion up front...but in color i think it shows the whole scene better.

[GB1]

Max,

It has a nice feeling about it. What I immediately noticed here, though I am not sure it was your intent, was the low angle, like something low to the ground's vision. Like, a dead animal? Sometimes angles and vintage pts can really make a photo.

Gb

[Max P D]

Originally Posted by Godfather25

I think this depends on what you want the picture to be saying, if you want the focus to be the sign....then black and white, i think with the color there is too much confusion up front...but in color i think it shows the whole scene better.

Godfather,

Your opinion pretty much sums up how I feel about each version. Thanks for putting things into pespective!

Max

[Max P D]

Originally Posted by GB1

Max,

It has a nice feeling about it. What I immediately noticed here, though I am not sure it was your intent, was the low angle, like something low to the ground's vision. Like, a dead animal? Sometimes angles and vintage pts can really make a photo.

Gb

Thanks GB1!

I shot low to the ground to show the spindly foliage surrounding the marker. Whenever possible I tried to avoid the typical stance of a standing photographer shooting down at a grave marker.

Max

[Chrislowshow]

Well i am new to this site and kind of new to photography altogether, ive been shooting for about 2 years but dont really have the resources to develope my own, but still i think the color version has more life to it and brings things into a better perspective, but the b&w gives it more of the background swirl (which i really like btw, good job on that) and it brings the foreground out more.
--Your friendly newb
Chris

[Max P D]

Originally Posted by Chrislowshow

Well i am new to this site and kind of new to photography altogether, ive been shooting for about 2 years but dont really have the resources to develope my own, but still i think the color version has more life to it and brings things into a better perspective, but the b&w gives it more of the background swirl (which i really like btw, good job on that) and it brings the foreground out more.
--Your friendly newb
Chris

Hey Chris! Thanks for responding!

Not sure if you're familiar with Photoshop, but all it takes to convert a color image to B&W is a single mouse click.

I hear what you're saying about not having the resources to develop your own. I guess it depends if you want to shoot color or B&W. Black and white is relatively inexpensive (and quite easy to do).

I shot most of the Pet Cemetery series on color film, but posted the majority in B&W. I had to drive about 40-miles round-trip to have the 120 film developed at about six dollars per roll.

In hindsight, if I knew the series worked best in B&W, I would have shot B&W film and developed it at home. A couple of days ago I figured out the cost of B&W chemistry and it came to about $34. Of course you need to buy a tank, reel(s), thermometer, and jugs to keep the chemistry in (I'm probably forgeting something, too).

FWIW, my chemistry usually expires before I use it all up. I guess it depends on how many rolls you'll expose - and for that reason it may be most economical to take it to a lab.

Man, I am STILL on the fence about which version works best... I think Ansel Adams said something like: most color photography looks like the color has been gratuitously tacked on (sorry, couldn't find his quote ). And I tend to agree.

Keep on keepin' on,
Max

[Chrislowshow]

yea, that is why i prefer to use b&w film, that it i just think it looks better, but i always have multiple color and b&w roles just in case. though i dont often visit a shop to get it developed, so i have about 5-6 roles that still need it lying around here somewhere.....if i could just find them lol