Large Pawns

[mtngal]

I thought these looked like large chess pieces, but don't think I was very successful in capturing it. Can anyone give me any suggestions if I were to take this one again sometime?

[RedRhino]

Hi mtngal,

I immediately saw similiarity. I would have adjusted the framing so the framing was aligned with the majority of the pawns and left the first one skewed or pick another angle and shoot from there. Something like this sometimes requires us to take a few pictures from different vantage points, print them, and play with different crops. A second visit might be warranted.

Thanks for sharing !

[David French]

I would elongate the diagonal a bit.

[mtngal]

David French wrote:

I would elongate the diagonal a bit.

I'm not sure I know what you mean by this (I'm still pretty new to photography terms, and I spend much of my time confused). Could you explain a bit morewhat you are suggesting? Thanks!

[mtngal]

RedRhino - Thanks for the comments, I did take a couple of other photos, but don't know if they are any better. I tried focusing on the second one, and one where they were all in focus, but don't know that they are any better. Let me know what you think.





Thanks for any comments.

[RedRhino]

I think the most promising of these is the last one. I think this composition would be the strongest of the 3 if they were all in focus. This composition also makes better use of the diagonals within the concrete plus it almost seems like the last pawn is tilting to catch a view of the 1st. But... I think they all need to be in focus for that to work ( smaller aperture ). Unfortunately, a problem will creep in. The background (brick wall and plants) will likely be in focus and distract the viewer. The background will be quite a bit lighter and the eye will naturely be drawn to it if it is in focus. This might be a shot might be better viewed in B&W.

Overall - Interesting subject. Difficult placement. Don't feel bad. Not all scenes can be made into great prints. As an exercise... its well worth the time and effort.

[kenmck15]

i like the idea of the shot, like metioned by others i think its a little off putting how the pawns are not entirely straight. I do like the perspectvie approach you have taken with this shot. i think it compliemnts the shot. i also like ur use of a more shallow dof and i also think this ennacwes the shot further. I actually quite like ur first and last crops of this shot. I definately think your image settings are better on the final shot, they just seem more saturated and the mid tone contrast seems to be stronger.

It seems like a difficult situation to selvage from but nice attempt anyways.



like also mentioned great practice situation and look fwd to more of your work

ken

[kenmck15]

i like the idea of the shot, like metioned by others i think its a little off putting how the pawns are not entirely straight. I do like the perspectvie approach you have taken with this shot. i think it compliemnts the shot. i also like ur use of a more shallow dof and i also think this ennacwes the shot further. I actually quite like ur first and last crops of this shot. I definately think your image settings are better on the final shot, they just seem more saturated and the mid tone contrast seems to be stronger.

It seems like a difficult situation to selvage from but nice attempt anyways.



like also mentioned great practice situation and look fwd to more of your work

ken

[VTphotog]

The second of the shots is interesting because the (light pole?) in the b/g almost looks like a rook. Good eye.

Now, get out there at night with some black and red paint ........:-)

brian

[David French]

When I said, "elongate the diagonal", I meant make the line formed by the 'pawns' less foreshortened. In other words, move the camera to the left a bit.