Thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment!
You have a good eye for sure. The general subject matter, like nearly all photographic subject matter, has been done, maybe not to death, but certainly close to it. But your HDR treatment works well for it. The HDR doesn't appear overdone. (Many HDR efforts seem determined to show how wide a dynamic can be accomplished, like exaggerated stereo effects on the first stereo audio recordings.)
My favorite line about HDR is that it should be treated as a tool, not a look.
I think the ones that rise above the rest are #2, for its classic framing on the grid. Then a number of the interior/exterior shots provide a bit of relief from the somewhat morbid and claustrophobic nature of the decay. Particularly, #6. #10, and #14. It may be that the perspective of #13 and #17 is out of character with the rest. It might depend on where they were placed in sequence.
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It's interesting to hear you respond with "morbid" and "claustrophobic," I don't feel that way about these, I sometimes feel like the photos are overly 'pretty' in a way that removes one from the stark reality of the environment portrayed. But it is useful to hear such a response, it's a relief in a way.
And your point about sequencing is good, it's something I struggle with.
The perspective is something I have thought about, I like to shoot with everything aligned, but sometimes it just doesn't work. 9 is also one of those. I suppose I should look at adding more off-axis shots to make them not stand out...or eliminate them.
#14, "The Blues" seems out of place to me. The carpeted room does not quite fit with the other spectacular images. So much great texture and light. The room with peeling paint on the ceiling is a favorite of mine, the distorted perspective adds to the feeling.
Well done.
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Yes, I'm afraid I agree. I really like the shot, but you have confirmed my suspicion.
If you want to mix it up, you might try shooting some detail pics or maybe an exterior or two to help place these buildings within their environment. However, if it doesn't fit...don't force it. Just go with what you've got because this is some pretty nice work. Thanks for sharing it.
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I have gone back and forth on the issue of mixing in detail shots. I do like to shoot them, it was initially my attraction to macros of decay that brought me to visit these places more and more. But I started to feel as if the detail shots were less compelling than seeing the environment surrounding them. There is a possibility of combining these two perspectives, but I'm not sure the result would be as cohesive.
For example, here are some detail shots I have considered: