POTM [11/07] Decaying Security

[Shadowed_fury]

Click for bigger version!

Processing - colour adjustments, contrast tweaks, desaturated a little, sharpened a bit and some vignetting.
Shot handheld in rubbish light with a 300D w/50mm F1.8.

[Shadowed_fury]

Not a soul?

[OleJ]

I've got soul! I'm a SOUL MAN!!

Back to topic: I like it. I think the vignetting does a whole lot for the composition. I like the rust, but the lock and chain look pretty new... It doesn't shout "DECAY!!" right in my face, and I like it

[Shadowed_fury]

Ta
I can see what you mean about the Decay thing, I think it works + doesn't. Least its not a comfirmed entry yet!

[OleJ]

I think you should keep it. It's got a good grunge feeling to it. Only thing I can suggest might be a different crop. Btw remember you can always submit two photos

[Shadowed_fury]

Feel free to crop that one to what you feel is better! I'm curious now

[OleJ]

I hadn't thought of any crop when I mentioned it. It just felt like it needed a crop to focus it a bit more.

I gave it a quick go, but it could probably be done a lot better:

[DougEdey]

I think the hinting at spiderwebs is a bit distracting, can you promote them in any way to see if they make the picture look better?

[supermonkey]

I'm not sure the square crop really helps that much. I prefer the vertical composition, but I would have tried the photo from straight on, with the lock at the top and the rusty chains hanging down in the bottom of the frame.

I don't mind the spider webs at all. In fact, they give me the impression that this particular lock hasn't been touched in a while, and that helps reinforce the idea of decay. If anything, I think the angled boards are what distract me most. The composition slanting down and to the right leads my eye out of the frame, as if my eye just poured out of the photo.

The exposure and processing are good. I like how the colors give a slight grungy feel.

-monkey

[OleJ]

Originally Posted by supermonkey

I'm not sure the square crop really helps that much. I prefer the vertical composition, but I would have tried the photo from straight on, with the lock at the top and the rusty chains hanging down in the bottom of the frame.

I don't mind the spider webs at all. In fact, they give me the impression that this particular lock hasn't been touched in a while, and that helps reinforce the idea of decay. If anything, I think the angled boards are what distract me most. The composition slanting down and to the right leads my eye out of the frame, as if my eye just poured out of the photo.

The exposure and processing are good. I like how the colors give a slight grungy feel.

-monkey

Agreed.

[Shadowed_fury]

So other than the composition, it works?

[Hwulex]

Hmm, I like your idea, but I feel the vignetting is a little over done for my tastes and the colours a little... drab. Also I think compositionally it's too central and the vignetting just accentuates that. Perhaps try moving it around in the frame. If you can re-shoot, it might be nice to get some context with a glimpse of what it is that's being locked away?

Side note; it rather reminds me of a shot of mine from when I first got my 20D:

.

Colours a bit strong, eh?

[3dHeli]

Hwulex, great shot . . . the only thing that stops it being perfect is the padlock, I wish it were older looking but appreciate this scene could take years to wait for if you bought an old padlock on ebay and swapped it ;-)

I love your colours and processing . . . . gives great mood and atmosphere.

[OleJ]

Originally Posted by Shadowed_fury

So other than the composition, it works?

You've got my vote

[Shadowed_fury]

Thanks!

[saxman]

I love the metal of the theme. Corrosion seems to me a more powerful form of decay. It plagues so many forms of our lives and changes everything about the material. You guys have captured it effects wonderfully.

[Shadowed_fury]

Added to the voting site