Cowboy microwave

[DEAN01]

Not sure what category this fits, but shot yesterday. C&C please.

[bnnrcn]

I like it Dean. I find the very bottom part of the image a bit distracting. I would crop most of the pink live coals at the bottom but would leave about 2/3 of the black burnt branch on the lower right in the frame for a better composition.

[Marie Hass]

Dear Dean,

I just wanted to reply before your post got lost.

I used to have horses and did a lot of horse camping and this accurately reflected how you kept your coffee hot. The cast iron circle in the back absorbed heat and kept things hotter, longer.

I loved your title.

Marie

[DEAN01]

Binnur,
I appreciate the idea of the crop.

Marie,
We still have two horses, but only my wife rides now. We too did horse camping and went on a few 100 mile cross country rides.

Thank you both for your comments.

[Geoff F]

It does seem a pity to lose that nicely photographed fire; but at the moment the handle is too close to the top edge which does throw out the overall composition balance. If there was a fraction more space at the top you might have managed to keep the fire and still have a good composition.

[DEAN01]

New crop as suggested by Binnur.

Geoff,
Adding more to the top shows a metal building.

[wmoore]

The crop is a bit too tight for my liking. More space needed on either side.

[Shadowman]

Nice concept.

[bnnrcn]

IMO the kettle stands out more in the cropped version and I find it better (Actually I would crop it some more if the image was mine ).

[GBO25]

So many permutations when it comes to cropping. It's a good image to start with having a sharp subject and great textures. Enjoy your cropping.

[zen]

Although I understand the possibility of a closer crop to the bottom of the image as some have suggested, that may not be the story the OP was trying to tell with the image. For example, in the multitude of coals, I see the hospitality of the range, and the message that there is hot coffee ready all during the day - so that whenever a rider comes in to change mounts, take a break or to "noon", the pot is hot and ready. It's a welcoming fire.

My opinion is that the image can stand on its own - as is.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Zen

[Downrigger]

What I really like is the tangible story here, the light, the texture of wood and hard used metal. Aroma and radiated heat emanate from this image.
When there are multiple struggles with crop, there is often an underlying compositional challenge - and I think in this case it is the "V" of the two burning logs that pull the eye out (down and/or upland out) of the image rather than help focus the attention on the beautiful coffee pot. I'd be inclined to stoke the next blaze differently and try this one again -

[FootLoose]

I think Mark has nailed the problem. The brightest part of the image is the whites on the burning wood, and that is where the eye is drawn.

[Marie Hass]

Need to agree with zen. Don't change a thing.

If you think of curating a series, this image should be included.

Marie

[just me]

I like the image very as it is !!!!!!!

Griddi.......

[DEAN01]

Wow, a philosophical discussion on cropping a photo of a coffee pot--great! I lurked around on this site for sometime before joining and I joined to better understand the views of photographers throughout the world. The opinions, offered here and on the other forums, give me a chance to consider how might I improve this shot or how I might approach my next shots. Thanks to all for your input. Looking forward to the next session.

[Stagecoach]

I like it as it is. There's a solution to the conundrum over cropping, post five different crops at the same time Dean

[IzzieK]

I am on the side of the no cropping...because the bottom of the shot as is when I first saw that, I can really feel the heat. Marie's explanation of the process is really informative too. But it might do this shot a bit more pop IF you rotate the pot a little bit to make it straighter. The content will neither drip and the position of the burning will seem to be as natural too. Just my opinion...

[Loose Canon]

Cool shot Dean!

I'd be willing to bet there are egg shells in that pot or did they use the old windmill technique?

[DEAN01]

Thanks for all the comments. And yes, Terry, there were egg shells in the pot.