LPS16 Can't Decide and Need Some Help...

SunsetSailor

#1 Through Rose Colored Glass


#2 The Heart of Darkness


#3 Putting Things in Perspective


#4 Syncopation

I'm getting closer but just not making it. Is there something I'm obviously doing wrong? Is it my subject selections? Is it something technically glaring? Do I need to keep shooting? Please be honest, I'm old, I'll forget what you said by tomorrow.

LiquidAir

#2 is by far my favorite.

Since you asked, I'll be brutal here:

#1 can't decide whether it is a landscape or a picture of a factory. The factory doesn't stand out enough to hold the image as the primary subject but is still too dominant to let the image be about anything else. You sometimes see shots like this in corporate reports when the company needs to show their plant but is uncomfortable with their industrial image.

#2 I like this. The leaves and the reflection of the sky in the foreground, the trees in the background and the nice lines leading me into the frame. I do wish there was a bit more detail in the shadows.

#3 This sunset would be a great backdrop for an interesting foreground, but it isn't really strong enough to carry the photo on its own.

#4 I am honestly not sure what I am supposed to be looking at here.

SunsetSailor

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is a good start. There seems to be a point in the development of any skill where the small steps forward require a hugh amount of effort internally. But as hard as I try, I haven't been able to see beyond my own personal box.

tlee

I REALLY like #2. It would stand out in a crowd--IMHO.

Halite

I'd agree with the votes for #2. The wedge of vibrant blue really leads the eye into the mysterious beyond of the darker background.

I do find that the bright highlight on the right hand side yanks my eye to that side of the picture. You might consider a crop or toning it down in post-processing.

Travis

#2 for me also with #4 a close second. I think both would make great contenders.

pyroPrints.com

#2

richtersl

I feel your pain.

I like #2 and #3.

The filtered light through the trees on #2 is positively lovely! But the photo looks a little tilted to the right.

The perspective of #3 is very good. Have you tried a horizontal crop on that one? If you cropped from the bottom, it would get rid of some of the dead space that's there and pull the eye toward the buildings and the sky.

SunsetSailor

Thanks to all of you for your feedback. I'm going with #2 with some of the changes that you recommended. Just looking at the LPS16 entries so far, I'll settle for the honor of just being showcased with them - never mind thinking of qualifying. I have been doing my homework in other sections of dgrin - sometimes it is overwhelming and sometimes I take hope when I try something new and can visably see an improvement. It's like being on a diet, not always a pleasant experience but "any progress is better than no progress".
Good luck to all of you as well....