what do you think?

IMHO, I like the processing, very grungy and aged. I would like to see the point of focus just above the axel of the wheel, this way eliminating most of the decking which is bland compared to the rest of the image.

Cool picture. I’m not one for very in depth critiques, if I like a picture, I like it. This one I like.

To me, the bed of the wagon adds to the overall feel - carrying heavy loads (maybe too heavy ?) over many years has finally worn out the wheel, but were that to be replaced, the rest of the wagon could continue. Nicely exposed and processed, and well framed.

It's an interesting subject, nicely treated. I don't mind the inclusion of the decking as it adds meaning to the image. My criticism would be that the composition is very cramped, I think more breathing space is needed around the wheel in particular..

IMHO, I like the processing, very grungy and aged. I would like to see the point of focus just above the axel of the wheel, this way eliminating most of the decking which is bland compared to the rest of the image.

 

Kat, I agree with your appraisal with1exception. To me, the two areas contrast well with each other.

I do like it, but both decking and the wheel compete for attention.

Like JC, I'm not into in-depth critiquing. Suffice to say that this image is a classic. Reminds me of gritty images from the depression and dust-bowl years.

I like the contrast of the decking to the wheel but think a different angle on it might have provided a different kind of balance/imbalance. I prefer the top portion in terms of processing, because you've maintained detail while still achieving that very worn look. The wheel, particularly the dark areas, feels overdone. Not as grungy, for me, as heavily processed. I think you might have eased up a bit without losing the flavor you're after. This would especially help it look a little more in tune with the decking above.

I'm not into in-depth critiquing

I’m not one for very in depth critiques

This is laziness and lack of respect from two members who have put up lots of photos for critique and received very in-depth comments but can't be bothered to provide the same. You don't have to be an expert to provide a worthwhile comment with some degree of observation and description. You just have to care enough.

 

Short version:)

Edited March 18, 2021 by Nick D.

I like this too. Thanks for posting. I always learn so much from reviewing photo's! I

 

Different cropping might improve the composition of 'the frame'. In this composition, the wheel and the cart take up roughly equal space in the frame. There's kind of a central horizontal split formed by the edge of the cart. Everything above is 'çart'. Everything below is 'wheel'. They're both areas of equal interest and like - @JDMvW - they kind of compete for my attention. I find myself either focusing on the cart or the wheel but not both.

 

One thing that springs to mind looking at this photo is the 'Gestalt' principle whereby viewers mentally 'complete' obvious shapes and patters that are incompletely shown in a photo.So 75% (or less) of the wheel is enough for viewers to mentally fill in in the missing 25%. The same applies to the planks and staves. You could crop off 25% of the planks including the 3rd stave) and viewers would mentally 'complete' (extend) the pattern of planks and staves.

 

The Gestalt principle gives you some options to play around with different crops that might make the composition less balanced top/down around the mid-point and perhaps more interesting/dynamic. By showing incomplete parts, you also give the viewer more work to do which can make the viewing experience more enjoyable. A tighter vertical crop might also make for a more integrated composition, reducing the 'viewing distance' between the 2 areas of interest.

 

The general tone of the photo is a matter of taste. I think the 'grunge' look works well for this. At the same time, there look to be a lot of mid-tones and the photo looks to be on the dark side. If this is the effect you want, that's fine. For me, the grey tones look a bit "muddy". You might want to experiment with brightening up the mid-tones (which also affects the highlights and shadows but by less). To compensate, apply a bit more contrast which will open up the highlights, leave the (brightened) mid-tones where they are and darken the shadows to where they are now. If you work in adjustment layers, you can also fine-tune the transparency and masks of each adjustment layer. Doing this should 'open up' the mid-tones and highlights. OT but the same principle applies in post-processing audio:).

 

So, I like the photo and I think it's well worth experimenting with a bit more.If you save different versions along the way, you can compare them side by side.

 

Just my 2 cts.

 

Mike

This is laziness and lack of respect from two members who have put up lots of photos for critique and received very in-depth comments but can't be bothered to provide the same. You don't have to be an expert to provide a worthwhile comment with some degree of observation and description. You just have to care enough.

Or it could simply be that whatever we come up with in terms of specifics just doesn't quite make it, so we opt for something simple and straightforward like "it's a classic, reminiscent of ". In the case of my critique it was the gritty depression era and dustbowl images. Considering the equipment they had to work with, the photographers who captured those images really knew their craft. That's not to say that todays photographers are any less talented or knowledgeable with todays equipment than the master photographers of those times. I just can't help wondering how many of todays images (digital or film), would stand the test of time as have those. As for my referring to Novajones image simply as a "classic" rather than going into any detail (which I'm not particularly well qualified to do) means that I think that image is perfectly able to stand right up there with them.

I much prefer Nick's crop, showing just what's left of the wheel. The deck is the less interesting part of the story and takes away from the strength of the wheel's image. Love the deep, dark tones.

 

You're not the only one, but posting something that's much more than 1000p tall makes it hard for us to see the image completely on one screen, unless we resize. I try to limit the height of my images to 1024p. Having a link to a full rez images is a nice touch, but I'd like to look at the image on one-screen first, before I dive into details.

posting something that's much more than 1000p tall makes it hard for us to see the image completely on one screen, unless we resize. I try to limit the height of my images to 1024p. I'd like to look at the image on one-screen first, before I dive into details.

 

Amen! Which Is exactly why I keep mine to between 700 and 800 pixels on the longest side (keeps the necessity of scrolling to very little or none).

Agree with those who think the subject is in the wheel.