Roadside Cross

PixelRabbit · Oct 12, 2012

There are a few of these scattered around our area, this one is on a busy highway on a bad curve so I haven't stopped to shoot it yet (obviously not a good place to stop

)
I wish the cross was a smidge sharper but there is still "something" about this shot that I like.
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for taking a look!

amolitor · Oct 12, 2012

The tree and the cross are well balanced, you've got good objects in the frame in good places. I think there's a bunch of directions you could go with this. Selecting where to place focus, how much depth of field to use, different skies, different treatments in post.

This photograph as it stands is pretty good, but I think it's quite neutral in terms of its expressiveness. I think what you need now is a clearer vision of what you want to portray, and then go attempt to make an image that does that.

PixelRabbit · Oct 12, 2012

Thanks Amolitor, perhaps it is the balance that I'm liking. I agree the image is lacking and have been pondering it for a while now, I will def. keep pondering how to express more emotion and how to safely get the shot.

amolitor · Oct 12, 2012

Definitely, don't get run over trying to get the perfect shot

pgriz · Oct 12, 2012

Judi, you don't want to have another cross added to that one. There's a reason why it is there. But aside from that, good balance, as amolitor noted. One possible idea is to go lower and a bit to the left, so that the cross rises above the landscape, and maybe justaposed over (or besides) the background tree. The flowers on the cross, and the license plates tell a poignant story.

PixelRabbit · Oct 15, 2012

Pgriz, agree! I promise to be VERY careful.
Thanks for the suggestions. Shooting from the road (which I would really like to get some road into this shot) I'd be facing south so there will be some yummy light falling across everything. I love the idea of being lower, it might combine my thoughts with yours very nicely

sleist · Oct 15, 2012

If the cross is the subject, it needs to be in focus (or equally out of focus with the rest of the photo). As such, this is more of a photo of a tree, with a cross in it.

PixelRabbit · Oct 15, 2012

Thanks Sleist, I agree about the focus on the cross, next time I shoot I will be stopping instead of shooting as we drive by. The focus on the cross is why I hesitated to post this because it is more of a practice shot but I was having a hard time figuring out what I liked about this composition, I think it is the balance.

BasilFawlty · Oct 21, 2012

Come to New Mexico if you want to shoot road side crosses. Unfortunately we have a very high DWI rate and these crosses are about every 1/4 mile. Nice composition by the way

kundalini · Oct 21, 2012

BasilFawlty said:
Come to New Mexico if you want to shoot road side crosses. Unfortunately we have a very high DWI rate and these crosses are about every 1/4 mile. Nice composition by the way

Not all roadside crosses are set due to intoxication. I know it's hard to believe, but sometimes it's simply a case of stoopiditity.