[Steve]

With the current theme for the photo competition being Black and White I thought I would show you this picture which I took last week while up in the north east. It didn’t make the grade for the comp so I figured I would let you all rip it apart in here.

I would have just thrown it up in the photo sharing section but Kenco would have called me chicken



As always I will take the bashing with good humour

[SammyC]

I like it! Although I do feel it is missing a something....

[fingerz]

I realise this is uselessly unspecific but... I don't really see the point of the photo. There's nothing in it that grabs me.

[SammyC]

Oh you realists! It's abstract dude!!!!!

[Matt]

Your still working at this abstract millarky.

It has potential.
To me it looks a bit flat, what I mean by this is, it all seems to be the same tone of gray.
Have a go adjusting the levels to get some more shadow in the structure and brighter highlights in the sky.
I would also crop the left side from around the angle at the top of the main arch, as this side of the structure over powers the image a bit.

Keep working on it mate, your getting there.

[Matty]

i think this would have worked so much better if the sky was blue

[Adrian]

I like it because I've photographed the damn thing so many times it's good to see someone else's take on it! That said, I think it could do with some robust adjustment to curves.

You should have dropped me a PM saying you were coming to God's country and I'd have given you the tour.

[petemc]

Yer it is abstract, but it doesn't really make me go "ooooh funky". Maybe it is the shades of grey, maybe it is missing that magic something.

[dod]

I'd agree with Matt, it's not so much B&W as shades of grey, it just seems to lack a bit of oomph!

[jewel]

Originally Posted by dod

I'd agree with Matt, it's not so much B&W as shades of grey, it just seems to lack a bit of oomph!

See, I wouldn't pick up on the shades of grey thing. Looks black and white to me,lol. As for the shot as a whole, doesn't do much for me either. I think it's just the composition in itself. Maybe a different angle would work better I think.

Jewel.

[KenCo1964]

Obviously unmistakeable especially for us in the NE, I’ve only once taken a pic of this which turned out like the countless number of other snaps you see of it. Being of a subject I am familiar with, I find it interesting to at last be able to see your take on a subject that I can relate to. It’s an unusual angle and not one many would dare but I think that is the reason why I like it. Looks like another miserable day down there which compliments the construction giving a very cold feel to the steel, but like others think it is just missing something. (don’t know what that is though) Hope you enjoyed you time up here and would like to see other shots from this area if you have anymore.
Ken.
Ps. I only call the wife chicken, don't know you well enough.

[Steve]

Taken me a while to respond so sorry...better late than never

Originally Posted by Matt

Your still working at this abstract millarky.
To me it looks a bit flat, what I mean by this is, it all seems to be the same tone of gray.
Have a go adjusting the levels to get some more shadow in the structure and brighter highlights in the sky.
I would also crop the left side from around the angle at the top of the main arch, as this side of the structure over powers the image a bit.

Keep working on it mate, your getting there.

I saw your crop of it last week which looked good printed although when I viewed the scene I didn’t see that photo there unfortunately. I am now trying to push myself by not relying on cropping images to frame them during the post production stage which is improving my composition in general. I agree your printed version looked better.

Originally Posted by EosD

i think this would have worked so much better if the sky was blue

Yes it would but I am only good not god The day had been great but by the time we had got there it had begun to rain. As I was working my hands where tied to how much time I had and I had no other opportunity to take pictures.

Originally Posted by Adrian

I like it because I've photographed the damn thing so many times it's good to see someone else's take on it! That said, I think it could do with some robust adjustment to curves.

You should have dropped me a PM saying you were coming to God's country and I'd have given you the tour.

I am not ashamed to admit I have done very little to this shot, in fact other than frame and reduce for web it has had no other PS work. It was a simple grab while I was in your neck of the woods and as the forum was quiet at the time I thought I would throw it up to be savaged “as is”.

I did think of dropping you a line but I had no idea of what time and for how long I would be in Newcastle. I was working on that day and the day after and only stopped there to eat and sleep. As I have said the weather had turned as well so it would not have been a great chance for photos. Next time I am in the area I will definitely drop you a line and arrange something. Thanks for the offer

Originally Posted by dod

I'd agree with Matt, it's not so much B&W as shades of grey, it just seems to lack a bit of oomph!

Grey and overcast weather with a grey bridge and very little contrast will do that Again this could be altered in curves but this way it generated many more replies.

Originally Posted by jewel

As for the shot as a whole, doesn't do much for me either. I think it's just the composition in itself. Maybe a different angle would work better I think.

Jewel.

That’s an interesting thought..all the other angles of this bridge have been photographed much more and are often seen. As usual I try to do my own thing and produce original work as much as possible. There are two camps out on this though, one is that it could produce ground breaking and original work and the other is that if it worked that way, everyone else would have taken the picture that way also. So yes maybe an different angle would work better but then most people will have already seen that shot

Originally Posted by KenCo1964

Obviously unmistakeable especially for us in the NE, I’ve only once taken a pic of this which turned out like the countless number of other snaps you see of it. Being of a subject I am familiar with, I find it interesting to at last be able to see your take on a subject that I can relate to. It’s an unusual angle and not one many would dare but I think that is the reason why I like it.

Thanks Ken, that’s exactly what I was aiming to do.

Originally Posted by KenCo1964

Looks like another miserable day down there which compliments the construction giving a very cold feel to the steel, but like others think it is just missing something. (don’t know what that is though) Hope you enjoyed you time up here and would like to see other shots from this area if you have anymore.
Ken.

Yes it was a terrible night for the weather although it had been great all day, just typical that I was working. I think the picture lacks contrast and punch in general but as I have said earlier in the thread this has had not post production at all.

I had a reasonable time there, had a great Chinese banquet and a few beers but the weather ruined the photography. Only took three pictures in total. I would love to have spent more time there with better weather but there will always be another time.

Thanks to everyone that took the time to savage the picture, your comments and opinions are all valid and have been good to read and reply too. I think next time I really must do some post processing before letting you lots lose on my efforts

[CT]

I haven't commented Steve, because abstracts really aren't my bag at all, but for what it's worth, I think the composition is fine, it just needs to be tweaked for a little more contrast perhaps?

[Steve]

No problem CT, it seems the majority agree that a tweek in the contrast and curves would make a huge difference to this shot.