#70 What I love--my dad's old piano

kdotaylor

any feedback is appreciated:
My Dad's Old Piano
He's retired and has moved south for good, but he left his piano with me.

ic4u

I think this is a great idea and has potential. I wonder if getting a more unique POV might help, or seeing more of the piano itself. Do you have any photos of your dad playing the piano that could be in a frame on the piano? Just a thought....

WinsomeWorks

I think it's tough to get a unique POV on a piano, and I actually really like this view, especially the highly limited DOF, and the imperfections in the keys. The one thing that's bugging me is the distracting highlight at the top of the photo, because it feels like it takes away from the sharp parts. I liked it much better when I simply cropped the top part off the photo, leaving a more panoramic view. Unfortunately that takes off the pale blue wobbly reflections going on in the upper right corner, which I like! But I still think it's stronger that way, overall.

kdotaylor

Thank you, WinsomeWorks and ic4u, for your comments....much appreciated. I think it's back to the drawing board for me.

lkbart

WinsomeWorks wrote: »

I think it's tough to get a unique POV on a piano, and I actually really like this view, especially the highly limited DOF, and the imperfections in the keys. The one thing that's bugging me is the distracting highlight at the top of the photo, because it feels like it takes away from the sharp parts. I liked it much better when I simply cropped the top part off the photo, leaving a more panoramic view. Unfortunately that takes off the pale blue wobbly reflections going on in the upper right corner, which I like! But I still think it's stronger that way, overall.

I like the the shot but wonder if the dof limits the viewer from seeing more of the character of the piano.

edit: I saw the hint of the depressions worn into the keys and just wanted to see a little more, but that's just me.

lizzard_nyc

kdotaylor wrote: »

Thank you, WinsomeWorks and ic4u, for your comments....much appreciated. I think it's back to the drawing board for me.

I like it as is. Love the shallow DOF and as was noted the tiny imperfections. I like the dreamy quality to the shot as though it's conjuring up some memories.

WinsomeWorks

I forgot to mention too that the quality of the light itself is perfect. I don't know what you had to work with exactly, but what I imagined as soon as I saw it was maybe an overcast day outside, which gives a certain old dreamy look like Lizard noted, along with that creamy color of the ivory. Whatever you do w/ it, keep that light! The reason I like the shallow DOF is that we all know what a piano looks like & we don't need to see the detail in every key. This close focus on a couple parts is more poetic, to my eye. I wouldn't scrap this shot at all. It would look great enlarged. If the spot that I mentioned bothers you, the nice pale blue stuff in the corner could even be retained by keeping it in this format & simply photoshopping a fade of the blue/gray parts into the shades of the darker left top corner. (Unless you were trying to be a purist... but imho, no need to, if it's for your own interest or to sell as a print.)

sapphire73

This is such a unique take on this challenge and you've pictured it well. I "read" nostalgia, connection with your father, and appreciation of music into this shot with the title "my dad's old piano."

davev

I think this is a very nice shot, but without the title, I'd never know it's your dad's.
I think you need to make it a bit more personal.
Maybe the sheet music to one of your favorites that dad played for you.
Maybe a photo of your dad where the sheet music would sit.
Maybe a photo of your dad framed on top of it with you playing.

I guess my point is, this is a fine shot of 'a' piano, make it a fine shot of your dad's piano.