"In the Company of Nature and Industry"

A well done juxtaposing of beautiful sunset, flower and strangely elegant industry... now, is that a potted plant? :-) Just kidding of course... Good shot! Mike

 

Mike, thanks! Now why didn't I think of that. Even better, a plastic potted plant that won't shudder in the breeze. You know, those flowers just don't want to remain still, even in the quietest of breezes.

Well, you've struck oil, 'Texas Tea', and 'Black Gold' with this superb series. I see a corner office in the corporate office for the new Chief of Photographic and Illustrative Services for Exxon-Mobil. Hey, can you get me a discount card for my gas? Seriously, this is superb; as is each of the images in this industrial series. Mark, your post-processing skills are magnificent! Your use of 'EDR' is impressive; and I am seriously looking to sit down with you and spend some time learning how to apply this to some of my images. Keep 'em coming, Amigo; and I'll see ya 'round campus! Cheers! Chris

Thanks for any and all! Please enjoy the Larger view!

Beautiful composition

 

***Ali***

Having been a part of the oil industry many moons ago, I can say without equivocation that this is one of the best industry photos I have seen. It is simple and yet conveys what we are all looking for ---a little relief at the pump and a little profit for the risk-takers in the industry. As much as I like it, however, I feel the gray hues of the foreground and clouds should be enlivened by a little warming and brightening. The grays could convey the end of the industry with the flowers in requiem rather than announcing a bold, new beginning with warmer colors. I have done that for you as an example of what I would do if it were mine. Anyway, congratulations on such a great capture. I hope your "well comes in" on this image. It has all the potential in the world. Lamar McInnis, Sr.

Thanks Ali and Lamar for stopping by. When making the comparison to your version, Lamar, mine may appear to be on the cooler side of appearance, but the oil rig IS quite simply black. I could tweak it locally to warm it up, but I really wanted to convey the actual light that was present. I interpret this scene to be stark, desolate and edgey, which translates to cold in nature I guess. At the same time, because it has a cooler overall look, the warm portion of the clouds is somewhat amplified. This creates a certain amount of contrast from my viewpoint. Quite honestly, your version looks far reaching and has bounded the threshold of posturization. I am sure some of the abnormality is a result of processing a lower resolution file. I do appreciate you taking the time to share your viewpoint none the less!

Very nice, good work!

The juxtaposition of the natural and the man made is poignant and thought provoking. The light on the underside of the cloud is just plain stunning.

I would agree with Mark about the 'stark and desolate' nature of the scene being lost in the more romantic interpretation.

 

Simon

A fabulous shot Mark..Well done Mate!

I keep coming back to this series for some reason. Mostly cause I feel it is some of your best work. I really like the way you've taken something as industrial as an oil derrick and turned it into Fine Art. Kudos on a wonderful series of photographs!...RAY

Thanks Michael, Keith, Simon and Ray for your thoughtful comments. I had actually shot this the previous night, but my depth of field was poor and the flowers were slighty soft. It's what happens when you get old and can't see anymore. This time I moved away from the flowers and stopped the lens all the way down. You do what ya gotta do.