I'm back, with a photo

[skida]

I still detest the layout of this forum, but I keep coming back for a look, and now I am posting for the first time in about 2 or 3 years. I hope that I followed the "How to post a photo" instructions and that below you will find a picture to pull to pieces:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/98804678

[skida]

Okay, second time lucky:

[Draken]

Keith

The photo doesn't show but Welcome back to the forum anyway!!

[skida]

Haha! I sorted it before you replied :)

[™Ken Kruse™]

Welcome back Skida!

This photo would probably serve better to show what makes a photo work rather than what doesn't. Sometimes people take the critique thing too negatively, in reality (IMO) it should be at least as much about what works than what doesn't.

I think the frame with the hub at the lower-left 1/3rd makes a good anchor for the image. The spokes create a multitude of leading lines that direct the attention to the outer rim which then recycles the viewers attention back through the remaining spokes. It's a pretty simple image with basic shapes and few colors. The simplicity is a large part of the beauty because it allows the structure of the image to dominate without being lost in too much detail or color. The two colors (ignoring the neutrals) work very well together, the contrast they provide strengthens the structure of the composition as well as provide some "eye candy" that grabs the eye.

I'm not sure if my few suggestions would help or hurt, I only offer them because they stand out as question marks in my mind.

The axle is a little closer to the center than I would think optimum but moving it towards the left would also reduce the downward curvature of the outer rim which I like. The rim at the very top is awfully close and I can't help but wonder if a little more breathing room might enhance the image. The upper-leftmost spoke terminates oddly at the edge of the frame as does the one at lower right, I'm left wondering if either showing the entire base of the spoke (where it attaches to the rim), or cutting it off entirely, might help or hurt the image, I really can't say unless I saw it.

At first I saw the frame being nonparallel to the bottom was a negative but upon further thought I think it adds dynamism to the image and causes my eye to initially go from the axle towards the upper right. I wonder how others might feel about it.

[skida]

Thanks Ken. I was trying out a new old Retinette viewfinder camera and this was to test for chromatic aberration. I framed it in the viewfinder until it looked good and shot. I agree with your points about the spokes, but never noticed anything untoward in the viewfinder so I'm not sure about the accuracy. One thing I am sure about is how much I like this camera and its Rodenstock Reomar lens. It suits the £1 a roll Agfa Vista 200 too.

[Nick Weall]

Hi Keith

Love the colours and clarity. I'm one of those who'd prefer the frame to be horizontal near the bottom of the shot. The small shadows on some of the spokes interest me too and I wonder if shifting your position left or right might have found a shot with more shadows.

I think Ken raises a good point or two about the overall positioning. I think this is a subject that could with with more shots sometime or maybe you already have em in the bag.

All the best

[theBoss]

I actually agree with Nick Weall, if the angle was different we would see a bit more shadows. I really like the picture overall, and I beleive it would be a nice desktop wallpaper, or even a portrait to hang on a wall, however, I am a bit curious about the surrounding environment, I can imagine this in a grass field of some sort, I would like it better if I can see where this is positioned.

[Lady GooGoo La La]

To me the photo speaks of contrasts, the wheel design appears to be old yet paint seems recent. The colour contrasts are too much for my taste and the photo would be better in B&W, this would possibly give the photo an "older" look and less contrasty. The centre of the wheel seem a bit overexposed. I like photos of crusty old things (not people) but I cant feel the crust here.

I appreciate you had a specific purpose for taking this shot and my comments don't really apply!

[skida]

Thanks folks. The comments are really encouraging. Although the main purpose of the shot was to check for CA, I do admit I was also trying to get a decent photo! I did check my other shots of this pit wheel taken that day, but there was nothing that showed anything further with the shadows. My main satisfaction came from getting this sort of result from a camera made around 1960, that cost me £5 and a roll of film that cost £1. Thanks again.