brutally honest critique this:

[Ko.Fe.]

Now after getting some replies, here's it from another angle.
This is a much "cleaner" image but i miss from it the... no i wont tell you yet to bias you, lets see what you guys think it's missing 😀

Nothing could be missed if here is nothing already, but even good portion of nothing like this could find good use.
This one is perfect for "ZYZ lens" thread where you could show the bokeh from specific lens and how sharp it is wide open and such. 😀

 

[sahe69]

I like the movie-like feeling of the first shot but the tilted ceiling and the dark object on the left draw the attention away from where it should be.

The second one has a more peaceful composition but unfortunately lacks a solid point of interest. Darkening the lower part with light casting on it from behind the camera might help here (did not try it out though).

 

[Pherdinand]

First one is way too busy. As for the second, the bright out of focus area is what draws the attention, not the foreground subject (which is too dark, and it's not clear what it is anyway).

It's an open book. Or, what's left of it. Wasn't touched for a decade or two.

On a larger image you can read into it a bit.

Thanx.
Thanx rinzlerb too, and the further commenters.
What i myself am missing from the 2nd one is the human presence. So indeed only together with the first one it is working (-ish).

 

[Pherdinand]

THanks for sharing this image. The busy aspect for me is distracting too. It is compelling at the same time; one of those images, where the subject is strong and you just know there is a picture there, but maybe conditions just aren't quite right.

I can't help but think that a re-thinking of making the exposure about the whole frame rather than cropping wouldn't make for a stronger image. Of course it would also likely involve adjusting the angle of view slightly.

I am also thinking that I would be tempted to let the cross lose axis for the sake of the overall shot......another statement about religion as for the good of human condition or religion manipulated by human perception 😉

David

Hehe, i like that at the end😀
The cross is a tool in his case. Replaceable.
The people left, and they left the cross behind. Was too big and cumbersome.
And the book.

 

[Pherdinand]

Final image:
The "door on the left" is not even a door🙂
and you can see the "holy water bowl" whatever it's called in English.

Walls are straight here 🙂

 

[Shirley Creazzo]

Well, as one of the ladies - estimated or no - esteemed or not - I think this is not so much cluttered, as two pictures. The cross would be a good central theme on its own, but adds nothing to this photo. With that removed and any necessary cropping on the west done the rest of the picture - once straightened - has lovely color and lovely light, and a rather pleasing composition.

The second picture I find quite pleasing and see the book as an interesting focal point. The bokeh lends it mood and a spiritual quality. I think it is quite a piece of art and I would be happy to hang it.

I like the third picture a good bit also. With the first altered they make a nice trio.

 

[bushwick1234]

The first image is excellent. I wouldn't change anything. Even the slightly tilt and blurry cross is pure language.

 

[helen.HH]

Well, as one of the ladies - estimated or no - esteemed or not - I think this is not so much cluttered, as two pictures. The cross would be a good central theme on its own, but adds nothing to this photo. With that removed and any necessary cropping on the west done the rest of the picture - once straightened - has lovely color and lovely light, and a rather pleasing composition.

The second picture I find quite pleasing and see the book as an interesting focal point. The bokeh lends it mood and a spiritual quality. I think it is quite a piece of art and I would be happy to hang it.

I like the third picture a good bit also. With the first altered they make a nice trio.

yes YOU are Esteemd as a Rff woman Shirley...Yay !
add that feminine mystique with that Critique
it certainly is needed and appreciated here on RFF

Best- H

 

[Shirley Creazzo]

Helen, I thank you for that. I am much happier with my femaleness than with my ph0tography as it happens. But better that than the reverse I would think. Guess it is essentially whatever gets you through your allotted days.

Regards,
sc

 

[daveleo]

The image has an exotic, mysterious, somewhat unnerving look and feel, and I like it a lot.
Have to say however ... whatever that is in the middle ground partially blocking the view of the doorway is really bothersome. Really. (You have probably addressed this before, but I have not read through the thread yet.)

 

[Pherdinand]

Thank you Shirley, bushwick and Dave.

 

[Dirk]

I like the first picture for its movie still quality. It evokes a mysterious, slightly unsettling, feeling. Like something out of "Damian", or similar fare. The tilted frame and the blurred figure all add to that. It's the strongest of the pictures presented and definitely engages the viewer.

 

[Pherdinand]

thanks for that, Dirk.

Here's another one, in different style.

 

[Greyscale]

I did not like the photo at first glance, it seemed too busy and lacking a clear subject. But the more that I look at it, the more that I like it, it creates an interesting essay in my mind about the strength of religion and the impermanance of the works of man. I think that if the cross were tilted and the building straight, this essay would be equally interesting but might write to an opposite conclusion.