Lurking in the night

JMitchell · 06-12-2007, 20:40

Wondered what you thought of this. Seems to have lost some contrast somehow on upload, but thought it was quite spooky if you thought about it the right way...

TFL & comments welcome

jack

**Markulous** · 07-12-2007, 07:09

Can see where you're going with this and wonder how it'd look if it was more 'spooked' by taking back some of the surroundings to leave the car (and maybe the house) more prominent. And a slight rotate!

fionaB · 07-12-2007, 08:01

hm im not sure about this, i do see what you are trying to tell with the image but to be honest im not sure I would have been spooked or thought about it being anything other than a car parked at night had it not been for your explanation. think it has to be darker or as Mark suggested less saturated maybe

Fi

Rob Barron · 07-12-2007, 11:19

I can't say I get the 'spooky' thing but then I don't really see anything as spooky so perhaps that's just me. I would definitely put this in PS and rotate it to get the houses standing perpendicular.

For anyone not sure of the easy way to do this (I'm sure Jack already knows so sorry jack if I am teaching grandma to suck eggs!) here is the quick way and most accurate way in Photoshop:

Using the measure tool (it's under the icon that looks like an eyedropper), click at a point on a line that should be either horizontal or vertical, drag down to a point on the same line and release.

now go to Image>Rotate Image and you get three options, CW rotate (clockwise0 and CCW (counter-clockwise)
but don't use those. instead click on 'Arbitrary' and you will see the window open with the exact degree of rotation needed already entered. just hit OK and the image will rotate and make the lines perfectly horizontal or vertical (it chooses automatically).

Hope that helps someone anyway.

back to the picture, I do like the feel of the picture, it has a bright yet gloomy feel to it which makes an itneresting contrast so there is definitely something in there worth pursuing

Cheers,
Rob

**Markulous** · 07-12-2007, 12:44

Dunno that I've made it 'spookier' but think it does give it a certain atmosphere

Rotated. Concentrated on car, so crop, burn back surroundings and add a little "exhaust" (dodge)

Think you might've taken this through a window as there appears to be some reflections?

JMitchell · 07-12-2007, 15:56

Quite like the edit, but will have my own play....the exhaust seems to have no real point of origination but like the idea.
Yes it was through a window...so reflections...

Thanks for the comments

robbo · 07-12-2007, 20:14

As soon as I looked at it I expected Jason Bourne to come out of one of the houses. I do like the new perspective.

Les Meehan · 10-12-2007, 17:46

Jack

Don't take this personal (I said DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONAL!) but when you post your images you seem to always feel the need to explain what you want the image to say rather than allowing people to see for themselves what it is you are trying to say. This 'leading' of a viewers thoughts is usually unnecessary if the image is doing it's job BUT seems to be necessary in today's art/photo world (it is also rather patronising in many cases). My conclusion is that if the image needs your explanation/hints then it isn't working as expected. Just something to think about...

BTW, if shooting through a window get the lens as close as possible to the glass (touching is best) and use one hand wrapped around the lens to act as a shade. This should avoid the reflections appearing in the image.

Les

JMitchell · 10-12-2007, 18:09

Les,
Don't take this as a defensive retort (I said DON'T!

), but I think you started being a more regular poster after I had posted the majority of my standard shots, and started experimenting with ideas and being less conventional, especially in the Critique section.
I've been 'trying ideas on the public' as it were to get feedback about images that are not easy to comment on and might 'tell a story' to one person and not to another.
As you might recall I am a complete non-believer in the whole 'photos must say something' stuff, and would therefore not describe my leading of the viewer in that way, but more an explanation due to the unusual nature of the shots to show people what I had in mind in case they wanted to edit or make suggestions for the shot.

Regards,

Jack

PS: I know about the window thing, also you should try to stand at 45 degrees to the glass (angle of incidence

) to ensure that no light is refracted from it.

**Markulous** · 10-12-2007, 18:30

Must admit that I like to tell a story to my images. Think it helps to bring them alive if there's a bit of background - but then I'm not that fussed if people only want to see a "good" picture or a "worthy" subject

Les Meehan · 10-12-2007, 18:37

Jack

No problem! However, if trying ideas on the public is what you are doing then why not let the image speak for itself first so the public can respond as they wish. This would then give you an indication as to whether your idea was well executed in the image or not. Once people had responded simply from what the image contained then you could engage in debate over the views expressed and whether the image actually did what you wanted. In this way it can only be of help in assisting you in getting your ideas more clearly in the images. No?

JMitchell · 10-12-2007, 18:55

I can see where you're coming from, and, for the most part, you are probably right. On the other hand, and taking this image as an example, I do no think it is a good picture. I thought it could be if a 'sinister' storyline was added, which is why I said what I said.
I am currently tending to post pics in Critique that I don't personally like all that much (with exceptions), in order to gain feedback as to the extent people can imagine things (like this), and the general photography 'ins' and 'outs' at the moment.
I promise I'll get back to posting nice, rule of 3rds compliant macro masterpieces when I have either the time or the opportunity

Regards,

Jack

Les Meehan · 11-12-2007, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

I promise I'll get back to posting nice, rule of 3rds compliant macro masterpieces when I have either the time or the opportunity

Regards,

Jack

Why? I'm not suggesting you stop your experimentation, I applaud your effort in trying for something different, I'm simply saying that in order to test whether your image has worked in the way you think it has that you wait for feedback to see if others see what you do. As I said before, this is a good way for you to learn whether things are working and if not then seek comment on where you could improve things. This is how we all learn isn't it?

However, you have to be willing to learn from others and not simply expect people to accept something just because you believe in it. From the wording of your last reply I am picking up the feeling that you are having trouble with my comments. Open your mind and you will benefit!

Cheers

JMitchell · 11-12-2007, 16:44

Not sure that I'm having trouble per se, just that I am not certain you are grasping the direction I am coming from with these shots. Probably a personal thing, and I'm certainly not unwilling to learn, but I can see as well as you can the things that are wrong with the image, that is part of the reason I posted it!
Perhaps it's your method I am having trouble with, the whole "waiting for feedback". I do that with all my other images, but with these ones in question, I purposely put the 'story' with it, and that is what I don't think you're getting.
And for the record, the m

06-12-2007, 20:40	#1 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427	Lurking in the night Wondered what you thought of this. Seems to have lost some contrast somehow on upload, but thought it was quite spooky if you thought about it the right way... TFL & comments welcome jack

07-12-2007, 07:09	#2 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,598	Re: Lurking in the night Can see where you're going with this and wonder how it'd look if it was more 'spooked' by taking back some of the surroundings to leave the car (and maybe the house) more prominent. And a slight rotate!

07-12-2007, 08:01	#3 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,324	Re: Lurking in the night hm im not sure about this, i do see what you are trying to tell with the image but to be honest im not sure I would have been spooked or thought about it being anything other than a car parked at night had it not been for your explanation. think it has to be darker or as Mark suggested less saturated maybe Fi

07-12-2007, 11:19	#4 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,115	Re: Lurking in the night I can't say I get the 'spooky' thing but then I don't really see anything as spooky so perhaps that's just me. I would definitely put this in PS and rotate it to get the houses standing perpendicular. For anyone not sure of the easy way to do this (I'm sure Jack already knows so sorry jack if I am teaching grandma to suck eggs!) here is the quick way and most accurate way in Photoshop: Using the measure tool (it's under the icon that looks like an eyedropper), click at a point on a line that should be either horizontal or vertical, drag down to a point on the same line and release. now go to Image>Rotate Image and you get three options, CW rotate (clockwise0 and CCW (counter-clockwise) but don't use those. instead click on 'Arbitrary' and you will see the window open with the exact degree of rotation needed already entered. just hit OK and the image will rotate and make the lines perfectly horizontal or vertical (it chooses automatically). Hope that helps someone anyway. back to the picture, I do like the feel of the picture, it has a bright yet gloomy feel to it which makes an itneresting contrast so there is definitely something in there worth pursuing Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

07-12-2007, 12:44	#5 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,598	Re: Lurking in the night Dunno that I've made it 'spookier' but think it does give it a certain atmosphere Rotated. Concentrated on car, so crop, burn back surroundings and add a little "exhaust" (dodge) Think you might've taken this through a window as there appears to be some reflections?

07-12-2007, 15:56	#6 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427	Re: Lurking in the night Quite like the edit, but will have my own play....the exhaust seems to have no real point of origination but like the idea. Yes it was through a window...so reflections... Thanks for the comments

07-12-2007, 20:14	#7 (permalink)
robbo Getting Comfy Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lewiston, ME USA Posts: 192	Re: Lurking in the night As soon as I looked at it I expected Jason Bourne to come out of one of the houses. I do like the new perspective.

10-12-2007, 17:46	#8 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Lurking in the night Jack Don't take this personal (I said DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONAL!) but when you post your images you seem to always feel the need to explain what you want the image to say rather than allowing people to see for themselves what it is you are trying to say. This 'leading' of a viewers thoughts is usually unnecessary if the image is doing it's job BUT seems to be necessary in today's art/photo world (it is also rather patronising in many cases). My conclusion is that if the image needs your explanation/hints then it isn't working as expected. Just something to think about... BTW, if shooting through a window get the lens as close as possible to the glass (touching is best) and use one hand wrapped around the lens to act as a shade. This should avoid the reflections appearing in the image. Les __________________ Les Meehan www.zone2tone.co.uk www.creativeinsightworkshops.com

10-12-2007, 18:09	#9 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427	Re: Lurking in the night Les, Don't take this as a defensive retort (I said DON'T! ), but I think you started being a more regular poster after I had posted the majority of my standard shots, and started experimenting with ideas and being less conventional, especially in the Critique section. I've been 'trying ideas on the public' as it were to get feedback about images that are not easy to comment on and might 'tell a story' to one person and not to another. As you might recall I am a complete non-believer in the whole 'photos must say something' stuff, and would therefore not describe my leading of the viewer in that way, but more an explanation due to the unusual nature of the shots to show people what I had in mind in case they wanted to edit or make suggestions for the shot. Regards, Jack PS: I know about the window thing, also you should try to stand at 45 degrees to the glass (angle of incidence ) to ensure that no light is refracted from it. __________________ Jack Mitchell "We accept the reality with which we are presented" - - New website, online, but still in progress!

10-12-2007, 18:30	#10 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,598	Re: Lurking in the night Must admit that I like to tell a story to my images. Think it helps to bring them alive if there's a bit of background - but then I'm not that fussed if people only want to see a "good" picture or a "worthy" subject

10-12-2007, 18:37	#11 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Lurking in the night Jack No problem! However, if trying ideas on the public is what you are doing then why not let the image speak for itself first so the public can respond as they wish. This would then give you an indication as to whether your idea was well executed in the image or not. Once people had responded simply from what the image contained then you could engage in debate over the views expressed and whether the image actually did what you wanted. In this way it can only be of help in assisting you in getting your ideas more clearly in the images. No?

10-12-2007, 18:55	#12 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427	Re: Lurking in the night I can see where you're coming from, and, for the most part, you are probably right. On the other hand, and taking this image as an example, I do no think it is a good picture. I thought it could be if a 'sinister' storyline was added, which is why I said what I said. I am currently tending to post pics in Critique that I don't personally like all that much (with exceptions), in order to gain feedback as to the extent people can imagine things (like this), and the general photography 'ins' and 'outs' at the moment. I promise I'll get back to posting nice, rule of 3rds compliant macro masterpieces when I have either the time or the opportunity Regards, Jack