Old Ropes

[klpurkett]

Another barn picture, this time of the wall of old ropes and chains in the calving shed. I liked how the light brought out the textures in this one. I vividly remember watching as my grandpa assisted a cow giving birth using some of these tools back when I was a kid. Farm life is amazing. C&C much appreciated, as always! Thanks, Kristy

[JBW]

Lovely is not the right word. Jarring comes close. But it is a good jarring. The electrical socket, extension cord, plastic bag and tire are all integral to the shot but are also out of place? (as is the white thingy)

All in all I like it.

[IzzieK]

As well as liking what I saw in your image, I like the conversion to sepia here -- make it feel oldie, a time in the past and the socket here through time is still the connection we all use from since ever I can remember, still using up to now...for the good times. Love the shot...good job.

[Rebel]

Very nice Kristy.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[Wavelength]

Excellent... it successfully conveys the mood implied....

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kristy,

I have been following your "grandparent's farm series" with interest.

Most (to date) have been landscapes; a genre I find myself unable to make constructive comments about, so I have stayed quiet.

This instantly struck me as something 'special' and worth more time to view and comment upon.

I don't mind the electrical sockets, however, the bag on the shelf and the white cylindrical thing do attract my attention away from the scene at large.

If mine, I would significantly tone down the luminance of the shelf bag, the shape is acceptable in context.

The white cylindrical thing I would clone out - or remove it from shot before taking - not that I'm suggesting I'd have realised its importance until after I had taken shot and seriously studied the composition on a big screen myself.

The hanging bag does pull my eye upwards to the edge of the frame due to its tone, so perhaps this also warrants a little PP 'burning', but that's a slippery slope; I find that once I start doing that, all sorts of other things also then need similar attention, and there's a law of diminishing returns on the benefits.


Anyway, I must say that this shot has a lovely feeling, colour and tonality - it makes me want to be there and shoot too, not that I think I could do any better, I just want to try - and I'm not one to go poking around in such places as a rule*

* for proof; you should see my (untidy, cobweb strewn) garage
(and that's far too cramped to make a photographic subject)

[Mike Buckley]

This is such a compelling scene that it deserves you doing everything you can to make it a great photo. In addition to Dave's comments, consider using a tighter crop (I usually prefer tight crops) that places the right side of the frame at about the first upright. I'd like to see some more detail in the shadow areas, so a reflector would be very helpful.

[Mike Buckley]

I like the conversion to sepia here

My immediate reaction was also that it is a sepia treatment because the left side of the image very strongly and attractively resembles that style. However, the right side of the image reveals that it's a color photo, not a monochrome.

[Dave Humphries]

My immediate reaction was also that it is a sepia treatment because the left side of the image very strongly and attractively resembles that style. However, the right side of the image reveals that it's a color photo, not a monochrome.

This is one of the things I like about it Mike.

On your other comment; about using a reflector, that really requires two people, but the more I think about it, for a subject rich environment such as this, two minds (and the extra pair of hands) would be well worth having to REALLY 'work the scene' - a bit far for me though

[Mike Buckley]

about using a reflector, that really requires two people

Not at all. Surely there is a pitchfork in that barn. Stick it in the ground or a bale of hay and tape the reflector to it. Lots of other ways to make it happen without requiring a second person.

[JohnRostron]

Lovely is not the right word. Jarring comes close. But it is a good jarring. The electrical socket, extension cord, plastic bag and tire are all integral to the shot but are also out of place? (as is the white thingy)

All in all I like it.

And so do I ... for the same reasons!

John

[klpurkett]

Wow, thanks for all the kind comments everyone! I'm encouraged by the fact that what I saw as special about this shot was also appreciated by others... That it's not just me thinking "that's a picture worth taking!" I will take some more time to work on the pp, attempting to tone down the distracting elements. I may try this scene again under different lighting conditions (perhaps with a reflector) just to see how the results differ. The cloudy conditions worked in my favor this time, lending themselves to the "natural sepia" look. Thanks again for the encouragement!

[Mike Buckley]

As you build your portfolio of farm fotos, remember to include some close-ups. This scene has many opportunities, such as the cow bell, a knot in a rope, or whatever.

[wtlwdwgn]

Aside from the incongruous elements this is an excellent image Kristy. I very much like the PP too. It's definitely worth a second look.

[Barbara Ponder]

Great photo that depicts your grandparents barn and it's contents wonderfully. I am sure each piece in it holds a memory. Good eye, I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[klpurkett]

As you build your portfolio of farm fotos, remember to include some close-ups. This scene has many opportunities, such as the cow bell, a knot in a rope, or whatever.

Thanks for mentioning this, Mike. To be quite honest, I guess i was so interested in the bigger picture that I didn't take a single close up last time I was there! Great reminder.

[klpurkett]

Aside from the incongruous elements this is an excellent image Kristy. I very much like the PP too. It's definitely worth a second look.

Thanks Steve. I appreciate your feedback

[klpurkett]

Great photo that depicts your grandparents barn and it's contents wonderfully. I am sure each piece in it holds a memory. Good eye, I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Thanks Barbara. Yep, a lot of special memories, and so much history... Aside from serving four years in the Navy, my grandfather has lived on this very same property since he was about five years old. He's in his mid seventies now. Part of my goal with this project is to compile not just a collection good pictures, but also a few stories, snippets of history, and family traditions... To document some of those things before his (and my grandmother's) memories fade any more. I'm fortunate to have grown up living near them, and have always loved spending time with them on the farm.