Friday, April 07, 2006
near Star (1)
Auspicious has given me permission to post two pictures. The reason I asked for that is that I want to print one of these but am unsure about which one works best. You may say: neither! They were taken in January on a very grey day. They rather sum up what farming is about in this part of Wales, both in details such as fencing and the way the landscape has been affected. Star is a small village about a mile away from these tree groups in Pembrokeshire, just over the border from Carmarthenshire.
Permalink / posted by and copyright of John Ellis : 7:00 AM
Comments:
In my opinion, this is by far the better picture. The other one lacks the compositional element of this one. The diagonal line of trees are more dynamic and the use of the track to bring the eye round to the trees is just right. It says far more than the other one, which, I feel, is just a straight record.
Laugh!!!!!!!!
I came to this image because I decided that there were more elements in the composition that I found pleasing.
Then I read John's comments!
The first thing I noted was the Y/X generated by the fenced track and the tractor tracks across the field both arms lead up to the trees.
The horizon of trees, influenced by the wind, complements the curve of the hill and reminds me of the Welsh countryside.
For me this is the stronger of the two.
I go with this as the better. I like the tree pattern on the horizon, and the shape of the tracks. I also like the row of black dots leading off to the right as an echo of hte other shapes.
I can't tell whether the bottom left area is all in focus in this scale. It would be a better print if it was, as it creates a natural starting point for exploring the photo.
Overall this does capture this form of farming and countryside well. It would fit into a documentary series for the area, although the harsh tones might mean that it didn't fit well with softer photos or colour ones.
Many thanks for the feedback. I preferred (1) initially and then became concerned that the hill should have sloped down more to the left and switched to (2). But that never fully satisfied me because I had wanted all the three tree groups (they are beech, which is relatively unusual round here, but maybe that is because it is Pembrokeshire). One doesn't have much scope for different angles because there is a hedge immediately behind me.
The bottom left is in focus - it is just the mud not responding well to sharpening! I agree with Michael, though, about the conversion and will cut back the strong darkening.
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I came to this image because I decided that there were more elements in the composition that I found pleasing.
Then I read John's comments!
The first thing I noted was the Y/X generated by the fenced track and the tractor tracks across the field both arms lead up to the trees.
The horizon of trees, influenced by the wind, complements the curve of the hill and reminds me of the Welsh countryside.
For me this is the stronger of the two.
I can't tell whether the bottom left area is all in focus in this scale. It would be a better print if it was, as it creates a natural starting point for exploring the photo.
Overall this does capture this form of farming and countryside well. It would fit into a documentary series for the area, although the harsh tones might mean that it didn't fit well with softer photos or colour ones.
The bottom left is in focus - it is just the mud not responding well to sharpening! I agree with Michael, though, about the conversion and will cut back the strong darkening.