Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Bob_B on July 04, 2019, 01:48:30 pm

Title: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 04, 2019, 01:48:30 pm
Six chairs waiting for the parade, that is.

Backstory: Each Independence Day, Catonsville -- my hometown -- holds a big parade down its main street. It's a huge event, with many marching bands, military units, federal, state, and local politicians, drum corps, flags, etc. This is followed at night by a fireworks display that I think is one of the best in the area. Several days in advance of the parade, one will start to see chairs lining the parade route. The chairs come in every imaginable variety, and are placed 'first come, first served' irrespective of local. (These six were in front of the Post Office.) This year, chairs started to appear about three weeks before the parade, following a trend where they appear earlier each successive year. There's quite a lot of debate on whether this habit is a good thing or a bad one; frankly, I don't care, but it does provide interesting subjects for photography.

Thanks for viewing, and please leave your C&C.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: 32BT on July 04, 2019, 01:56:45 pm
Interesting repetition. The perspective is very pronounced, giving an unbalance due to the crop though.

This might also be one of those cases where "the elements in half tell the story in whole" might apply. That is: if you cut off a chair on one or either side, it suggests there are an infinite number of them which makes for a more puzzling image perhaps.

And the parking meters may go entirely, or fit one in the frame with a bit more space. It makes for a funny addition.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 04, 2019, 02:03:38 pm
It looks as if it would have been better taken from a few feet to your left.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 04, 2019, 02:11:09 pm
Just for fun, here's a couple of more.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 04, 2019, 02:40:20 pm
Interesting repetition. The perspective is very pronounced, giving an unbalance due to the crop though.

This might also be one of those cases where "the elements in half tell the story in whole" might apply. That is: if you cut off a chair on one or either side, it suggests there are an infinite number of them which makes for a more puzzling image perhaps.

And the parking meters may go entirely, or fit one in the frame with a bit more space. It makes for a funny addition.

Thanks. I like your cropping suggestion.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 04, 2019, 02:43:43 pm
It looks as if it would have been better taken from a few feet to your left.

Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy. I agree, but a lamp post and parked truck made that choice difficult at the time I was took the shot. Next time...lol
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 05, 2019, 10:06:08 am
Another version of "Six Chairs Waiting", taking suggestions in mind. Better?
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 05, 2019, 11:25:43 pm
That works for me.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: 32BT on July 06, 2019, 02:27:49 am
I actually liked the window frame in the back. It shows a similar repetition, and suggests "a view" which is what the chairs are for as well. The parkingmeters are interesting and provide a nice narrative contrast. I would certainly try to include one. Something like the attached. Don't mind the extension, it is snapseed smartfill. It was merely added to show the desired framing/crop.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on July 06, 2019, 03:01:26 am
I actually liked the window frame in the back. It shows a similar repetition, and suggests "a view" which is what the chairs are for as well. The parkingmeters are interesting and provide a nice narrative contrast. I would certainly try to include one. Something like the attached. Don't mind the extension, it is snapseed smartfill. It was merely added to show the desired framing/crop.

It's a different take on the photo, but I find the loss of symmetry very destructive.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: 32BT on July 06, 2019, 03:28:13 am
It's a different take on the photo, but I find the loss of symmetry very destructive.

Jeremy

A symmetrical version with parkingmeters included on either side could maybe provide the same narrative and appeal to the autistic mind at the same time. In that case though, I concur with your original suggestion of moving to the left, so the perspective supports the symmetry.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 06, 2019, 06:55:48 am
Thanks Eric, 32BT and Jeremy for your thoughts. Your ideas and suggestion give me plenty to think about when next I work on this one.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Peter McLennan on July 06, 2019, 12:28:29 pm
It's a different take on the photo, but I find the loss of symmetry very destructive.

Jeremy

Agreed.  Also on your suggestion to move to the left slightly.  May not have been possible.

I'd be tempted to remove the parking meters altogether.
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: 32BT on July 06, 2019, 01:32:28 pm
If by "destructive" we perhaps mean "unnerving", then as an art expression it might be considered more effective...
Title: Re: Six chairs waiting
Post by: Bob_B on July 07, 2019, 03:04:48 pm
32BT et al: I very much enjoy the discussion on how to present my photo. So much great ideas and information. Thanks!