Brad Becker  


After the wave by Brad Becker

June 2020 - After the wave

June 2020 - Brad Becker

Original 1

June 2020 - Brad Becker

Original 2

June 2020 - Brad Becker

Original 3

About the Image(s)

This image started with the combination of the trail and wave image. I liked how the waves crashed into the side of the trail. I tried adding a few other images to balance the photo including various birds(and to meet our 3 image mandate, if I want to be truthful!). I then happened upon this image of a worker in Vietnam with his face mask cleaning up and It made me think of the waves/surges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how there are so many essential workers risking their lives cleaning up. I liked how the orange color and figure adds another element to the picture but I'm looking for other ideas on how to develop this image without the guy.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Aavo Koort   Aavo Koort
I like the curvy road, waves and masked figure with the broom. To me it speaks about our feeble efforts to fight the COVID-19. A broom against the waves.
I would crop the upper 1/4 of the image. They do not add to the subject.   Posted: 06/04/2020 13:59:33



Alan Kaplan   Alan Kaplan
You have 3 terrific images here: pounding waves, a seaside cliff, and a winding road. Your exposure of the whites is very well executed. Original 1 shows a great road, but in the foreground the road has only 1 tire path. As the road goes into the distance, it recovers the other tire path. I find the missing path troublesome. It looks like you could add the path and move the sweeper to the right to stand between the path and the ocean. This composite has great potential.   Posted: 06/06/2020 18:10:04



 
Brad, This is such a nice concept and I like your thought process!
I find that the missing path doesn't bother me because I assume it fell off into the ocean, lol.
What I would like to see is work on the light directionality.
The ocean has a strong light from the right, the sweeper has a subdued light from above with a shadow by his feet in the original, and there is a definitive shadow on the road. I'd like to see you work with this more to make the light consistent throughout.   Posted: 06/07/2020 22:10:25



 
How about adding drama? A bunch of Cyclists coming down too fast on the left with one not making round the bend but shooting off towards the waves, preferable still in the air about to land in the water!   Posted: 06/09/2020 10:42:52
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Betty, I love your idea, it's exactly what would add punch to this image, thanks!   Posted: 06/10/2020 12:21:09



Peggy Nugent   Peggy Nugent
This is going to sound pretty tame after Betty's suggestion...

Great composition. I like how the white of the wave is balanced diagonally with the bright orange jumpsuit. I think your colors work extremely well - the stormy color of the waves, the abundant life of the green plants, and the anonymous, artificial orange of that poor lone fellow trying to fix things on his own.

I really like the single tire track. Like Kathy, it makes me think the rest of the road got swept away in the first wave. In fact, it led me to my suggestion, which is to change the title to "After the First Wave", and add a second, larger wave approaching.

Or perhaps I'm reading too many news articles.   Posted: 06/12/2020 17:54:02
Brad Becker   Brad Becker
Peggy, Thanks. I appreciate your suggestions   Posted: 06/12/2020 18:54:03