Critique

[AngieDee]

This is one of my favorite photos I've taken (from April 27, 2013). What do you think about it?
IMG_1817-1_edited-1 by angiedeephotography, on Flickr

 

[Nettles]

It might not have been possible, but shooting straight on and processing to B&W would have improved this shot, in my opinion. There seems to be something written on the wood too, and maybe this could be dealt with in software.

Overall though, it's a subject with potential. Just my thoughts, Angie.

 

[AceCo55]

Isn't that the great thing about photography. We all see an image a little bit differently. I really like the colours here. The blue, for me, is exquisite and the rusty brown complements it so well. I find the lines and shapes and recessed areas hold my interest - dying to be able to see off the right hand edge. I do find the lower latch a little "cramped" being so close to the bottom of the frame.
I can see why Nettles would like to see this in B&W - there is certainly an interesting array of textures and lines.
I like it very much.

 

[dennybeall]

Like all the colors and the textures. Would have removed the graffiti though in post-process.

 

[The_Traveler]

A couple of comments

If you tell the viewers how much you like the picture or, in any way, express your emotional involvement, that will affect how people will respond. No one really wants to hurt another person's feelings and so they'll hold off and be very nice. You won't be getting the absolute truth.
I am pretty resistant to being a hypocrite about photos so......

It is not clear exactly what you want us to look at, to focus on. If it is the hinges, they aren't placed well, one is almost touching the lower margin and the other isn't well placed in the frame.
You chose to shoot at an angle and that defeats a bit of the Mondrian-style squareness of the image but doesn't give anything back in terms of composition.
You shot at a low iso, thus needing a wide aperture so the depth of field was very shallow and the only area really in focus was part of the larger hinge over at one side of the frame. Because of the shallow dof, 90% of the picture in the frame frame was out of focus - and for not much reason. You could have easily shot at a much higher iso and a smaller aperture, thus having more in focus.

(Oh, and I darkened the periphery)

 

[sashbar]

Colours are nice, as is wood structure, but I would have definitely shot it straight.

 

[mcap1972]

Great texture. Very nice picture.

 

[I Shoot Raw Photos]

It might not have been possible, but shooting straight on and processing to B&W would have improved this shot, in my opinion. There seems to be something written on the wood too, and maybe this could be dealt with in software.

Overall though, it's a subject with potential. Just my thoughts, Angie.

Yeah would have to agree it would have made the image more dramatic, but I also do love the colors

 

[soufiej]

This is one of my favorite photos I've taken (from April 27, 2013). What do you think about it?
IMG_1817-1_edited-1 by angiedeephotography, on Flickr

I'd agree - though I have no idea who I'm agreeing with - IMO, you've shown us too much. Or you've shown us too little. Or you should have shot in portrait view. One or more of those.

In other words, you have captured the colors and textures well. The addition of the graffiti is a matter of what you are trying to tell us about the image. It doesn't bother me that it's there. It makes me more curious about the history of this subject. However, it doesn't answer any questions about the history. Possibly, that wasn't available. If you include it in the image though, I'd rather like an answer.

IMO your composition could be improved by a more discriminating viewpoint. I think you were mostly captured by the colors and textures of the image and might have missed the strong lines you might have shown. I would have at least looked at the same image in B&W in a preview shot and made decisions based upon the what the lines did to eye movement as opposed to just the colors. For colors and texture, very nice. For wanting me to look more closely at the variety of lines and textures in the shot, could be a bit more refined IMO. But, then, I sort of like lines and negative space. So ...

I understand most of us who go out to gather some images are taking shots in the available light we find at the moment. And in this shot, there's a certain appeal to the overcast look of what appears to be a cloudy day. I'd really like to see you go back to this spot though and get a few shots in bright(er) light which will have more dynamic contrast. Something that really plays up the composition's lines. And, if you do head back, think as you look at the image how to direct the viewer's eye to a strong focal point.

As usual, it's a keeper. Look at it again in six months and consider what you could have done differently. Come back to this thread and give us your critique.

Keep at it! It's a great start, just needs a less standard look IMO.