I agree with Willard. The lines are important! Otherwise the booth would stand out like a sore thumb and Dr. Who wouldn't like that! The first one gets my vote for best image.
Thanks for the great feedback everyone. I really appreciate it, but I'm afraid we're not done yet.
OK, so it's pretty clear that the composition of the original is better than the second that I posted, even though the second didn't have the "distracting" power lines. The second also had a house visible in the distance, which worked against what I was trying to portray. So the question comes down to whether to clone the lines/pole out in the first. Just to see, I did a rough cut--a final version would require more cleanup, but this is close enough for discussion purposes.
This is a tough call for me. I like them both but for different reasons. I'm curious to hear your impressions.
I like it without the pole and lines. There is something about connection of the road with this particular composition that just makes it work for my taste.
The first (original) image is a great demonstration of an unaltered use of power lines in a photo. The power lines do act as a bounding element. If you're going to have power lines in an image, that's the right way to do it.
However, I do prefer the version without the lines and pole in that they don't contribute as much as they distract. The version with those elements removed is a much stronger story of the major theme.
I respect that kind of purism.......but it hurts quality of images.....if idea is to get more people feel the impact.....distractions must be eliminated.
As Ziggy mentioned, the pole and wires help frame the phone box, which was intentional. On the other hand, if they hadn't been there in the first place, would I have felt tempted to composite a post and wires into the scene? Hell no.
The original has a dreary, edge of civilization feeling. Even the power lines end there. The image (to me) is more striking without them, but the feeling I get is different--more surreal or enigmatic. The wires make it look like the phone box has (or had) a reason for being there--without them, it could have just as easily materialized from another dimension.
I don't think one necessarily has to choose between truth and art, but you should make it clear to the viewer what you're up to. I'm going to keep both--the original will go in one of my travel galleries while the last will go in my surreal/unreal gallery.
Thanks again for all the comments. They have helped me clarify my own ideas a bit.
The original has a dreary, edge of civilization feeling. Even the power lines end there. The image (to me) is more striking without them, //
Cable lead out at the base of the pole is towards the box - so it made me wonder if that was the sole reason for the lines terminating there ?
Image without pole / lines might well be 'cleaner' - but dunno about more 'striking ... imo.
Blue makes no sense to me -for such an iconic item - even tho' BT allowed some boxes to be repainted for various reasons - if I was one of the many 'tat'' sellers in London, trying to flog models of BT K6 boxes / London buses / etc to the hordes of tourists I'd not sell many / any ... if they were blue, methinks.
Interesting discussion. I'm not a fan of cloning things out, however, in this case it works. Not only if is visually cleaner, but without the cables, the sense of disconnection is emphasized. What is that phone booth doing there if not to channel Dr. Who?
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Interesting shot. If I were you, I'd zap that pole and power lines before Taz catches it.
OMG....I was going to say.....pole and powerlines are interrupting my search for Dr. Who!
Cheers Richards and Tom!
I was aware of the lines when shooting, and took another shot to avoid them:
I'll wait for comment before I explain why I chose the first.
Good catch, Richard. Also a good candidate for the color swapping tool red to blue.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
OK. ok...so I forgot it was blue.
Happy now?
Yes!
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
I like the first composition better.
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I do too!
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
I prefer no 1 as well, Richard.
Taking a reality check, in modern landscapes with tardii ( is that the plural of tardis?) there are going to be power lines.
I agree with Willard. The lines are important! Otherwise the booth would stand out like a sore thumb and Dr. Who wouldn't like that! The first one gets my vote for best image.
1 for me too. I like the enhanced feeling of isolation it portrays. True enough about the power lines. But I zap them if I can.
Thanks for the great feedback everyone. I really appreciate it, but I'm afraid we're not done yet.
OK, so it's pretty clear that the composition of the original is better than the second that I posted, even though the second didn't have the "distracting" power lines. The second also had a house visible in the distance, which worked against what I was trying to portray. So the question comes down to whether to clone the lines/pole out in the first. Just to see, I did a rough cut--a final version would require more cleanup, but this is close enough for discussion purposes.
This is a tough call for me. I like them both but for different reasons. I'm curious to hear your impressions.
I like it without the pole and lines. There is something about connection of the road with this particular composition that just makes it work for my taste.
Website
I still prefer the first image. It feels more real to me with the power lines.
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
Yes, yes, yes....last one is big winner. Too bad now we only have choice of 9 emoticons......this one deserves big clap!
The first (original) image is a great demonstration of an unaltered use of power lines in a photo. The power lines do act as a bounding element. If you're going to have power lines in an image, that's the right way to do it.
However, I do prefer the version without the lines and pole in that they don't contribute as much as they distract. The version with those elements removed is a much stronger story of the major theme.
It's a great find and very well captured!
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Art and "real" sometimes don't go together.......
I respect that kind of purism.......but it hurts quality of images.....if idea is to get more people feel the impact.....distractions must be eliminated.
+1 on the last one... but don't mind the lines in the first (after all it is "street")
The sweeping road to this comp is neat..
OK, here's my conclusion:
As Ziggy mentioned, the pole and wires help frame the phone box, which was intentional. On the other hand, if they hadn't been there in the first place, would I have felt tempted to composite a post and wires into the scene? Hell no.
The original has a dreary, edge of civilization feeling. Even the power lines end there. The image (to me) is more striking without them, but the feeling I get is different--more surreal or enigmatic. The wires make it look like the phone box has (or had) a reason for being there--without them, it could have just as easily materialized from another dimension.
I don't think one necessarily has to choose between truth and art, but you should make it clear to the viewer what you're up to. I'm going to keep both--the original will go in one of my travel galleries while the last will go in my surreal/unreal gallery.
Thanks again for all the comments. They have helped me clarify my own ideas a bit.
Cable lead out at the base of the pole is towards the box - so it made me wonder if that was the sole reason for the lines terminating there ?
Image without pole / lines might well be 'cleaner' - but dunno about more 'striking ... imo.
Blue makes no sense to me -for such an iconic item - even tho' BT allowed some boxes to be repainted for various reasons - if I was one of the many 'tat'' sellers in London, trying to flog models of BT K6 boxes / London buses / etc to the hordes of tourists I'd not sell many / any ... if they were blue, methinks.
but hey ,what do I know - I only live here
pp
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Interesting discussion. I'm not a fan of cloning things out, however, in this case it works. Not only if is visually cleaner, but without the cables, the sense of disconnection is emphasized. What is that phone booth doing there if not to channel Dr. Who?
www.mind-driftphoto.com
What a disgrace. The entrance to The Ministry of Magic has been moved from that dirty dingy street and into the countryside. WOE shall Harry do now?
We can always have the discussion of whether art mirrors life or life mirrors art