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Not much for photography but...


Zef

Zef

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not a huge camera man but i have taken one picture that i love.
 

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Because of weathered wood and the Mason jar, and no evidence of "today", it harkens back to an older, more patriotic era in the US. It definitely has possibilities, Zef.

Here's some things to think about:

1. You've got an awful lot of blank, black space at the bottom of your image. Sometimes, such an area can serve as "negative space" and contribute to the overall geometry of the image. Often it can change the visual balance in such a way that the movement of the viewers' eyes over the image are better controlled.

Unfortunately, in this case, I don't think it contributes anything to the image. In the tweaked example attached below, I cropped most of the blank area away. I may have gone too far in this direction, but at least it will give you an idea of how a tighter crop would look.

2. Your camera isn't straight, and it isn't being held perfectly horizontal, so lines that should be vertical have picked up both a general tilt and are converging. In my tweaked example, I reduced these effects.

3. The Mason jar slightly overlaps the flag. In photo circles, this is termed an "unintended join", and usually is not considered desirable. The usual recommendation is to shoot from a slightly different position so that the two objects are either clearly separate, or overlap to a larger extent, so the overlap is not suspected of being inadvertent. My tweaked example is an animated GIF that alternates every 5 seconds between the original slightly overlapped version and a version where they are completely separate. It's your call which you prefer.

Personally, for me, the psychological importance of the Mason jar is low and of questionable significance. If it were an object of more importance (eg, an urn containing a soldier's ashes), I would lean to the separated version, however given what it is, I would not pull them apart.

HTH,

Tom M
 

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Tom Mann said:
Because of weathered wood and the Mason jar, and no evidence of "today", it harkens back to an older, more patriotic era in the US. It definitely has possibilities, Zef.

Here's some things to think about:

1. You've got an awful lot of blank, black space at the bottom of your image. Sometimes, such an area can serve as "negative space" and contribute to the overall geometry of the image. Often it can change the visual balance in such a way that the movement of the viewers' eyes over the image are better controlled.

Unfortunately, in this case, I don't think it contributes anything to the image. In the tweaked example attached below, I cropped most of the blank area away. I may have gone too far in this direction, but at least it will give you an idea of how a tighter crop would look.

2. Your camera isn't straight, and it isn't being held perfectly horizontal, so lines that should be vertical have picked up both a general tilt and are converging. In my tweaked example, I reduced these effects.

3. The Mason jar slightly overlaps the flag. In photo circles, this is termed an "unintended join", and usually is not considered desirable. The usual recommendation is to shoot from a slightly different position so that the two objects are either clearly separate, or overlap to a larger extent, so the overlap is not suspected of being inadvertent. My tweaked example is an animated GIF that alternates every 5 seconds between the original slightly overlapped version and a version where they are completely separate. It's your call which you prefer.

Personally, for me, the psychological importance of the Mason jar is low and of questionable significance. If it were an object of more importance (eg, an urn containing a soldier's ashes), I would lean to the separated version, however given what it is, I would not pull them apart.

HTH,

Tom M
Click to expand...


Thanks man for the detailed feedback much appreciated, yeah this is just a shot i took with my phone. Like i said not much for a camera man but i will keep the info you said in mind when i go for a decent shot next time. This shot actually was in a restaurant i was in and i rested my class (mason jar) on the ledge and figured i would snap a pic.
 
I like it Zef. I agree with Steve's changes which make a huge difference. Just a leveling change, increased sat or vibrance and maybe color balance, I'm guessing, would strengthen the original pic. I also like cropping off the excess black space as Tom did. It doesn't contribute anything.

He was right about the skewing; can't expect miracles from a phone. However, keep in mind that you can take a few seconds more to line things up, include a whole image in the frame, keep trees from popping out of people's heads, and so on. I think you have a good start, a good eye, and I hope you get a decent, real camera soon. You would have fun with it and learn a lot.

I personally like the join between the flag and the jar. I think it has the effect of symbolism, even if unintentional. I think the composition has integrity and I like it better actually than when it is moved to the right. Keep up the work and use Photoshop to improve your images as you have seen done here. Keep posting them!
 
Moving the jar towards the flag, wouldn't it be seen behind the glass a bit?.... Maybe that was intended but to me it looks like something is missing
 
I thought that too, but in the initial picture where it borders the flag, you can just barely see some red along the edge. Either the glass is too thick or perhaps it refracts the light away.
 
or many that section isnt transparent as it should be the refracting of light, I would think would make red more noticeable.. just a thought
 
Was not meant to 'replace' the original, was meant to show how better composition would have given a better overall effect is all my friend.
 
I *really* like Paul's tweak. Of course it isn't designed to include the physics of the situation (ie, true rendering / optical ray tracing), but, to my eye, it sure enhances the emotional impact and thereby steers the OP (as well as us) in a good direction. I even like the return to muted colors.

Great job, Paul.

T

PS - Nice crop, too.
 
I disagree Clare, when does the gravy train of 'add ons' stop?
 
Apparently one of those long freight trains I used to stop for and wish I'd brought a book. Counting the cars got a little old after like 63 of them and still counting . . .
 
Clare: "...It's beginning to look like Topaz should be a required plugin for Photoshop!..."

It shouldn't be expressed in the singular. Topaz puts out many different plugins. I have most of them. Some are really useful / unique, others much less so, at least, IMHO.

T
 
This is turning into some sort of infomercial for Topaz?
 
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