Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: luxborealis on February 19, 2012, 12:51:04 pm

Title: Barn Board
Post by: luxborealis on February 19, 2012, 12:51:04 pm
A typical (stereotypical) "photographer's" photo of barn board - but I like it. Why?
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Rob C on February 19, 2012, 01:07:47 pm
A typical (stereotypical) "photographer's" photo of barn board - but I like it. Why?



Why ever not?

Rob C
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 19, 2012, 01:21:27 pm
Sometimes a photo is just about patterns, textures, balance, and the nice way that the light interacts with them.

Very pleasing (except for the type of viewer who is offended by any image that remotely resembles one s/he has seen before).

I'll admit I even still enjoy (some) photos of Antelope Canyon.

Eric
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Roberto Frieri on February 19, 2012, 03:57:39 pm
Just for the light and shadows...
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Rob C on February 19, 2012, 06:26:59 pm
Sometimes a photo is just about patterns, textures, balance, and the nice way that the light interacts with them.

Very pleasing (except for the type of viewer who is offended by any image that remotely resembles one s/he has seen before).

I'll admit I even still enjoy (some) photos of Antelope Canyon.
Eric



Dangerous territory, Rob, play on mute!

;-)

Rob C
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: ivan muller on February 20, 2012, 07:03:34 am
Yes. I like it very much too...it just has uncle Ansel written all over it....!
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: francois on February 20, 2012, 09:45:44 am
Sometimes a photo is just about patterns, textures, balance, and the nice way that the light interacts with them.


Yes, I agree and Terry's image is a perfect example. Simple but beautiful!
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: jalcocer on February 20, 2012, 12:49:13 pm
the texture is really nice, the lighting and the shadows make it more appealing, nice shot
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on February 20, 2012, 03:10:10 pm
A typical (stereotypical) "photographer's" photo of barn board - but I like it. Why?
Because it's likeable. I like it too: it's my kind of photo.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Isaac on February 20, 2012, 03:46:58 pm
A typical (stereotypical) "photographer's" photo of barn board - but I like it. Why?
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: luxborealis on February 20, 2012, 04:05:10 pm
  • because it's your photo
  • ¿because it places you within a particular photographic tradition?

Actually, neither. It's not a unique photo by any stretch, yet when I see photos of this same type/genre done well, I get a visceral response to them that I can't exactly explain. I don't subscribe to the "I can do what Ansel can" mindset, so I guess I'm trying to nail down what it is that makes subjects like weathered wood (and rusting metal) attractive in the first place.
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Dave (Isle of Skye) on February 20, 2012, 05:04:29 pm
... so I guess I'm trying to nail down what it is that makes subjects like weathered wood (and rusting metal) attractive in the first place.

I think we like these types of subjects because they look old, weathered, seasoned and interesting. We love chaotic patterns in nature and the beauty of detail, because it is always more deeply and infinitively defined than anything man could ever create.

Dave
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: churly on February 20, 2012, 06:39:36 pm
Terry - I think you are posing an interesting question and there are clearly several factors at play.  For me - I think the image frames complex patterns inside of a simple and comfortable geometry that is enriched by the tonality.  Perhaps you could say that it is cozy and provocative at the same time.

I hope you don't mind - I have added a different example that to me does sort of the same thing.  It doesn't stand up to your image but perhaps it adds to the conversation.  By the way - I just managed to pick up the copy of PhotoLife with your article.  It is well done and I like the focus on really exploring the near-far possibilities.

Cheers,
Chuck

(http://churly.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v17/p170491614-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Barn Board
Post by: Isaac on February 21, 2012, 08:48:56 pm
... when I see photos of this same type/genre done well, I get a visceral response to them that I can't exactly explain.
I thought you were asking about that specific photo rather than photos with that kind of subject.

I'm trying to nail down what it is that makes subjects like weathered wood (and rusting metal) attractive in the first place
Well, attractive or attractive as a subject for photography?
As a subject for photography they have -- texture, colour, regular shapes, irregular shapes -- and the huge benefit that they stay put and change little over the years, so we can keep returning to play our photographic game.

It's the rich reddish-browns of weathered wood I find attractive-- so the B&Ws (this one of yours and those by AA) leave me cold ;-)