Forgotten Trophy

[explody pup]

Visited an abandoned school last week. Everything was falling down and has been trashed by whoever goes there at night to do whatever. Lots of things left behind. This was one. I felt it was pretty sad that something that might have meant something to someone has been destroyed, with all record of any achievement obliterated.

This was shot hand held w/ a K110d w/ a manual 50mm lens almost wide open (f2.8 I think). DOF is almost too shallow, as it begins to blur the top edge of the trophy. Post processing mainly consisted of adjusting levels and bringing the trophy out a little via differing levels of saturation. Unsharp mask lightly applied.

Any comments welcome. Thank you for looking.

EDIT: Now that I've have some good time to actually think about what I mean to ask: Is photography like this as boring to the viewer as I suspect?

 

[Steph]

EDIT: Now that I've have some good time to actually think about what I mean to ask: Is photography like this as boring to the viewer as I suspect?

Maybe so. For me the problem is that I did not recognise what the subject of the picture was without reading the text in your post. Without your explanations, this is just a piece of metal in the middle of rubbles.

 

[marinaw]

EDIT: Now that I've have some good time to actually think about what I mean to ask: Is photography like this as boring to the viewer as I suspect?

Not at all. This type of photography tells a story, and definitely has its place. However, I couldn't tell what the object was in this photo and there is nothing that indicates scale. The colors really jump out and I like the composition, but it would have had more impact for me if I actually recognized it as a trophy without reading your description.

I have no doubt, however, that there will be other people who will immediately recognize it for what it is, though.

 

[abraxas]

I thought it was a pack of cigarettes.

Since this is posted in general critique as a finished work,...

Hmm... thinking...

I got nothing.

 

[explody pup]

Thank you for the comments.

So it's not necessarily that this type of photography is boring, but more that the subject matter/story just isn't clear? I guess being there and knowing what the subject was before even taking the photo kind of made me forget that what I know is a trophy isn't immediately identifiable. I think I do similar things in other photographs. That's something I need to work on. Thanks again.

 

[Mesoam]

I like how much of the content is muted per-se while the trophy is vibrant. I think it would have been more effective if the trophy were framed in the middle of the shot and maybe even stood up. Its dismantled state still shows the fact its in a pile of rubble. Things like this are alllllllllways fun to play with, I personally would have setup the trophy in multiple ways and gone from there.