Mausoleum Shot: Does this need cloning?

DGMPhotography · Dec 13, 2013

Hello!

So my latest shoot was at the cemetery, it turned out pretty well! I'm going to post some other pictures too, but was hoping for feedback on this particular one. Do you think the trees need to be cloned out or not? Also, what do you think of the photo?

Comparison

$Screen Shot 2013-12-13 at 5.53.00 PM.jpg

$Screen Shot 2013-12-13 at 5.52.50 PM.jpg

Full-size
View attachment 62194

Thanks!

DiskoJoe · Dec 13, 2013

eh, you could take it or leave it. I dont think either version is really substantially better than the other.

DGMPhotography · Dec 13, 2013

DiskoJoe said:
eh, you could take it or leave it. I dont think either version is really substantially better than the other.

Thanks! Anyone else have some thoughts?

robbins.photo · Dec 13, 2013

Well I think the trees should probably stay, just from a compositional point of view. Too much empty space at the top otherwise, especially for B&W. I dunno, could just be me and maybe I need to clean my glasses - or it might just be the rather small size of the image - but the DOF seems off somehow

tirediron · Dec 13, 2013

IMO, this image just does not work. You have a very bright, featureless sky which draws the eye away from the significantly darker main subject of the image. With the right lighting, this could have worked well, but as-is, not so much.

shovenose · Dec 13, 2013

Meh, keep the trees. I think color would have done this image better because it's dark otherwise, even with brightness maxed out on my laptop's really nice IPS LED LCD 1080P monitor.

Derrel · Dec 13, 2013

The photo is very weak at 645 pixels tall, for sure. I LIKE the concept, but the image simply can not be evaluated at such a tiny size. Many images lose a huge percentage of their power, their appeal, their allure, when the actual subject matter is reduced to a lo-fi, thumbnail-equivalent impression. I totally,totally "get" the idea, and think the trees add to it, but I cannot actually "see" what the model has brought to the shot...her face is the size of a BB-shot on-screen...the pictures shown are just a "sort of suggestion of " your work, not the work itself.

Heitz · Dec 13, 2013

I agree with tirediron. the sky is too bright. I might try a heavy crop. You might lose the statue but it might be better that way, actually

Granddad · Dec 14, 2013

Derrel said it better than I could (as usual). As is, leave the trees in.

paigew · Dec 14, 2013

I like the concept and comp. I see the model in a long flowing white dress. I think it would really draw focus more.

amolitor · Dec 14, 2013

Get down lower, to bring the model and the statue closer together in the vertical axis, then get closer. Then put the model in some clothes that will separate her from the background. At least, that's what I would do.

Great concept, but you're overthinking irrelevant stuff. The trees are irrelevant.

manaheim · Dec 14, 2013

Glad I'm not the only one who was thinking it.

Such a cool setting, but images like this always leave me wondering what the picture is about... the model, or the setting... esp. when neither seems to have been specifically featured.

I love Andrew's suggestions.