It`s looking like a sign from aliens or a drawing of people from the primitive times. I think, it´s much too blur.

Udower,

Thanks for the comment.
I think the extreme crop killed the feel that the shot had but all of the other areas were blown out.
I will repost a full view in the next few days.

After reading the comments, I looked more closely. When I first looked at the photo, I thought it was carpeting!!! Once I realized what it was, I have to agree, the focus is off a little, but I was very impressed when I thought the image was in the carpet...

What's the story behind this shot? It draws me in - not sure shy...

Best,
Jon

It's a figure, toy, that was dropped on the floor.
No knowing that it had been dropped, a box was set on top of it. The box was then at rest for ~1-2 years.
I am in the process of moving everything out of that room to become a nursery and found this imprint along the way.

Trying to give more context to this shot:
vazaar.com/user:mikeock/photos/id:25061/

I was right! It is in the carpet! I don't know how you did it, but it's funny....very fitting for the topic!

mrsmorunion,

Yes it is carpet.
This one took years to make!
No really, that is a Jack-In-The-Box figure, that fell out of a box and landed on the floor. A box was then placed on top of it and they sat for close to 2 years.
(Like i did it on purpose!)

I was moving the boxes the other day and found the body imprint!

I like the mood that you have evoked with the lighting in this shot - not just the twinkle lights, but the yellow glow in the night sky behind that silhouettes the trees. Perhaps the overall composition could be strengthened with a tighter crop, particularly on the left. Well done.

Thanks boyd!
Yeah i was still contemplating the crop when i posted this.
I have few more angles and such that i have not even finished looking through!

it's a good picture but i'd like it better, i think, if the house was nearer... but nice picture

photoaholic,

Good suggestion.
Next time I pass this, if the lights are still up, will try for a closer shot!

interesting photo.

Bastian ,

Thanks for the comment.
Yeah i have not done a re-shoot as i am trying to figure out how to properly portray these.
Those are some great ideas!

TerynYancey ,
Thanks for the comment!

In an obvious way your readjustment of the levels brings one more, and makes it possible to highlight the duet. The councils of Bastian are to be implemented to still improve your subject. See you with your next photograph.

Mike,

This is not bad at all - interesting light and textures - a little busy. Good try.

jvgphoto,

Thanks for the comment.
Was one of my first attempts at this type of shot.

I like the simplicity but feel that the color in the Thermometer might be more interesting if iit was a bit more intense.

ryanopaz,

Good point.
Might warrant another post with some modifications!

MUCH more minimalist without the thermometer, but very nice as is...

I like your vanishing point here...the object is fairly mundane but your execution is good.

RachelValley,

Thanks again for the comment!

this is the headlight removed from here:
www.vazaar.com/user:mikeock/photos/id:21835/

It's interesting -- as a thumbnail, it looks like an eye!

lolly,

Thanks for the comment.
I have been trying to see something good out of this bad situation!
This is one of the attempts!

Yeah i know its blurry!
This is why i have not been posting anything new.
First day of snow for the season and this is what my wife's car looks like now.
Two weeks later i got the front end off and i am tearing out the radiator today as it is still above freezing!

I will do a photo essay of this car once i get the tear down done.

rvercesi,

Thanks for the comment.
Sorry you don't like!

rvercesi,

And if thats the case, how do I improve this to make it photographic art?

Well, it is not easy to take photos from birthdays and similar settings and do it with "art" in mind.

But you could try to improve your lighting settings by using other light sources. A flash head bouncing off the ceiling would create an even light, eliminating harsh shadows and reflexes.

As in every party the focus is on people. Include them in your shots. Usually birthday parties tend to lead to funny situations. Try to take advantage of them.

Finally, try different points of view.

Hope it helps. Regards.

@Mike, my suggestion is not to try to make "art" out of every photographic situation. This a very nice "memory" snapshot that your aunt probably liked very much and made her happy. Your work was done right there, and done very well, if that was really the case. Submitting a shot like this and asking for critique, well some people are expecting "art"... Don't stress over it, just remember when your shots make people, happy, sad, think, worry, or otherwise feel... That's the most important reason to grab the camera, IMHO. My wife's favorite shot I've ever posted on this site is probably not "art" and I would probably not have posted it, except she wanted me to:

www.vazaar.com/user:Beamer/photos/id:12453/

Beamer,

Totally agree.
I understand where the comments are coming from.
I do expect if someone says, this is not art, that they would try to include some ideas hints or tips to help the photo or photographer asking for the critique.
I do not take offense to such comments but would greatly appreciate any suggestions to make these a little more than a snapshot!

A lot of the photos i post are done only after other people have review and picked their choices out!

Thanks for the comment!

Same shot.
converted to B&W with a lens barrel distortion fix...

Bravo! Fits the topic perfectly, and I like it in B&W, much better, I must say. Love the cracks and texture.

My only technical comment would be regarding the slight pixelation above the first two silos.

I really like how the flour painting really stands out now.

Being that you're from Idaho, I hope that you checked out that link to David Plowden's web site. He has some amazing photos under the 'Rural America' tab.

www.davidplowden.com/archive/index.php?page_name=r...

I have seen the color version of it. I rather prefer this one. But the third silo is cropped by the frame and, ok, it's not the topic (three) but the star on top is masked by this same silo. Whatever, I really like the B&W texture!

KerriDoodle,

Thanks for the great comment.
I think the pixelation happened when i did a barrel distortion fix.
I didn't even notice till you said something.
I will clone that out and re-post when i get a chance.

duboaa ,
Thanks for the comment.
The third one is cropped due to lens distortion fix.
I had to crop the pipe at top to get the silos to have an even horizon.
Glad you liked this!
Hope to see more comments in the future!

KerriDoodle,

I forgot to mention that i did check out David Plowden's work.
there is some amazing stuff out there.
Thanks for sharing the link!

I would have utilized a shallower DOF to make your subject stand out. The wide crop isn't distracting to me, but it's unusual. Maybe shooting them at an angle to the building would provide more depth to the overall image.

Neuner,
this is the shallowest DOF that my camera, P&S, can do.
This was taken at 2.8 and is the shallowest i can get it.
The angel is an interesting idea that i may have to explore!

I can see that you've tried many times to get this scene to translate from what you're seeing and experiencing. I have to agree that perhaps taken from an angle may give you a different look. There needs to be some way to make the duo stand out from the rest, even if you have to add a blur in pp.

I like the format. To me it brings out the focus on the duo. The lines are a bit distorted though. Perhaps a longer focal length will remove that?

KerriDoodle,
Thanks for the suggestions.
I agree they need to stand out a bit more and am still working on how to do so.
I thinks the blur is PS is the last resort.... I will try to get to re-shooting it again this weekend..

TheAntipodes,

Thanks for the comment..
The line distortion is really annoying to me.
I tried shooting straight on and from lower only to see the same thing.
When i get around to the re-shoot, i will try a few different focal lengths also.