Darwinism - photo as a finished product

matthew robertson · Dec 7, 2004

Here's my first-and-only attempt at building a quotation and frame into an image. It's intended for printing at 8x10 or 16x20, depending on how I feel about it after a sober second thought. Give it to me straight, doctor, I can take it.

While I didn't recall the specific wording, the quotation from Charles Darwin was what I was thinking of as I took this shot. It reads "In my simplicity, I remember wondering why every gentleman did not become an ornithologist." I was initially struck by the graffiti with the glasses and tie, which made me think of a Gentleman, and an ornithologist, of course, is a Birdwatcher.

CAS · Dec 7, 2004

I'm new to this, but I think it's a great shot, I can't see anything I would change, I even like the shadow around the pic.

Picksure · Dec 8, 2004

60+ views and only one response?

Must be better than I even think it is.

If I had to critique, I would just crop or clone out the Timmys cup.

Maven · Dec 8, 2004

Great eye Picksure. I would do the same. I love the shadows and the contrast on this. It reminds me more of a painting than a photograph. Did you PS this at all?

Picksure · Dec 8, 2004

Maven said:
Great eye Picksure.

Maven, I see Windsor Ont as your location. You should be able to spot a Timmys cup from miles away :lol:

Maven · Dec 8, 2004

Yes, I should shouldn't I :|

CAS · Dec 8, 2004

If a timmy's cup is the red thing at the bottom right, I like it. It gives you a splash of red at all four corners of the shot. Did you PS the birds in or just get real lucky?

Picksure · Dec 8, 2004

The "cup" could be left in for the "Canadian" look. :wink:

matthew robertson · Dec 8, 2004

Good eye Picksure, and I was stunned to see that you're also from Ontario. Completely shocked.

This is a crappy excuse for a reason, but I've left the coffee cup in because I like the way the reflection looks in the full-size image. I know, it's not fair to use a defense that only I have seen. I like it for the depth it provides, since everything else looks a little flat. Besides - how clean can an alleyway be, even in Toronto?

Maven said:
It reminds me more of a painting than a photograph. Did you PS this at all?

Well... nothing has been added to the image. I've done a lot of work to optimize an opportunistic shot (read: bad), but the graffiti actually looks very close to the real thing. I've also removed a lot of clutter and distractions.

CAS, I'm just lucky. I spotted the graffiti just a second or two before the pigeons walked past, and grabbed this shot with whatever settings were on the camera. I did several follow-up exposures, but none of them had the birds in the right place. Pigeons in this city aren't worried about people, and walk everywhere. (I hate those birds.)

If I have a serious lapse of judgment, maybe I'll post the original file.

Peach Comma · Dec 8, 2004

I like the picture quite a bit except for the shadow coming down onto the doors and I wouldn't mind that if the door frame was visible. I don't like the added shadow and framing too much though.

GerryDavid · Dec 8, 2004

Picksure said:
If I had to critique, I would just crop or clone out the Timmys cup.

Isnt that sacraligious? :0)

Maven · Dec 8, 2004

hehe, sure would be. I change my vote, the cup stays damnit. ~goes to Tims like a good little drone~

GerryDavid · Dec 9, 2004

Maybe you could enlarge the cup and then sell it to timmies to use for marketing. :0) Maybe add a half eaten bread bowl.

matthew robertson · Dec 9, 2004

Here's something that even the non-Canadians reading this thread can enjoy... assuming that there are any.

donhdefl · Dec 13, 2004

i get the feeling that this is the spawn of pure genius. you waited too long to profundicate. publish your opinions, about everything.

-donald henderson
http://www.imagener.com

matthew robertson said:
Here's my first-and-only attempt at building a quotation and frame into an image. It's intended for printing at 8x10 or 16x20, depending on how I feel about it after a sober second thought. Give it to me straight, doctor, I can take it.

While I didn't recall the specific wording, the quotation from Charles Darwin was what I was thinking of as I took this shot. It reads "In my simplicity, I remember wondering why every gentleman did not become an ornithologist." I was initially struck by the graffiti with the glasses and tie, which made me think of a Gentleman, and an ornithologist, of course, is a Birdwatcher.