Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: graeme on February 27, 2014, 07:02:47 pm

Title: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: graeme on February 27, 2014, 07:02:47 pm

Comments welcome as always.

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: luxborealis on February 27, 2014, 08:59:43 pm

Very interesting photo. I can't help but think how much more powerful it would be if there was just one person, or even the shadow of a person, in the photograph (sign in the upper right notwithstanding). And here I am, a landscape artist, who prefers 'scrapes with no people.

Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 27, 2014, 11:39:25 pm

I agree with Terry.

On the other hand, the conspicuous absence of a real human figure gives a sense of loneliness to the place, which perhaps* enhances the mood.

* (Clearly, I'm not totally convinced.)

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: wolfnowl on February 28, 2014, 01:57:07 am

Quote from: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 27, 2014, 11:39:25 pm

I agree with Terry.

On the other hand, the conspicuous absence of a real human figure gives a sense of loneliness to the place, which perhaps* enhances the mood.

* (Clearly, I'm not totally convinced.)

I agree. Without anyone it has a forlorn look about it.

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on February 28, 2014, 02:58:44 am

But there's a sign which clearly tells no persons are allowed .... ;)
Cheers
~Chris

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: cjogo on February 28, 2014, 03:46:09 am

My kind of style ~!

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: brandtb on February 28, 2014, 08:34:23 am

There isn't anything compelling in the image itself...mostly uniform planar areas of med-gray and dark gray....and then the interior.  I think suggestions of having a "human figure" etc. etc.. are very well taken. While this is not the perfect analog by any means...you might look up Jerome Liebling's "Morning in Monessen, Pennsylvania, 1983" just as an excercise in considering how the "human element" can shift an image into the... /Brandt

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: RSL on February 28, 2014, 09:10:25 am

It's my kind of image, Graeme, but I agree with the others that a human figure would improve it. Might turn it into a modern version of Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks."

Title: Re: Wash'n'Dry
Post by: graeme on March 02, 2014, 07:58:59 am

Thanks for the replies & comments guys. The lack of a human figure hadn't even occurred to me, but then again I've never been accused of being a 'people person'.

'...mostly uniform planar areas of med-gray and dark gray....and then the interior '. Yes, I plead guilty as charged there: The interplay of planes and straight lines were what I was interested in. I've been getting interested in geometric or abstact compositions with graphic or pictorial elements included ( the shop sign in this case ). I'm also trying to get more subtle in my use of mid-grays and attempting to resist the temptation crunch large areas to solid black or white. I'm rambling, thanks for the input it's been very helpful - need to go & take some more pictures.

Graeme

http://mpdrolet.tumblr.com/post/76345813943/morning-monessen-pennsylvania-1983-jerome

Thanks Brandt, that's a beautiful image