Steve Sampliner
November 2020 - Al Hafa Neighborhood
Original
About the Image(s)
About the image: Al Hafa neighborhood Salalah, Oman. Pentax K-1. 28mm. f/6.3 at 1/40. Manual settings.
I'm not sure about why this neighborhood has been condemned, but I know that the land has been sold to a developer. It has been mostly fenced off and pretty much left alone since then. I decided to document the buildings, shops and homes before any more progress is made. I have completed about 1/3 of it so far. I chose this picture to show the extent of Nature's reclamation of the land.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
4 comments posted
Steve what a great photography opportunity you have. Memorializing what the people who used to live in the neighborhood left behind does not come around very often. As such I like your choice of B&W photo to document the neighborhood. It as to the mood of an abandoned place. I like your use of the rule of thirds for the layout of the sun rays and tree. The sun lite plants in the lower left and the sun rays lead my eyes into the photo. My only suggestion would be to decrease the amount of greys and increase the amount of black in your B&W photo. Something that I was recommended by one of our PSA colleagues in another group. See attached edit. Posted: 11/09/2020 07:35:28
Hi Thorro,
I agree with your edit suggestion. I took 4 images of this scene and did a different edit direction for each to play with all the possible whites / darks / grey-scales that can exist in the image. I went with this one because I was very interested to hear and see other's views on how they would approach a similar image. In this one, I like the ephemeral nature of it and the almost "glass" like quality of the foliage, as if the trees are the prism, multiplying while also refracting the light.
As for the neighborhood, it is a marvelous opportunity. The place is on the beach and from what I gather is quite an old place. Many of the homes and buildings are traditional mudbrick.I believe that a few strong typhoons is what caused it to be condemned. There are still people's belongings left behind in homes and shops, calendars still hang on walls and faded tapestries still cling to the walls and ceilings. Feral cats and dogs have moved in, and as you can see, nature has reclaimed once open spaces. Posted: 11/09/2020 10:28:59
I agree with your edit suggestion. I took 4 images of this scene and did a different edit direction for each to play with all the possible whites / darks / grey-scales that can exist in the image. I went with this one because I was very interested to hear and see other's views on how they would approach a similar image. In this one, I like the ephemeral nature of it and the almost "glass" like quality of the foliage, as if the trees are the prism, multiplying while also refracting the light.
As for the neighborhood, it is a marvelous opportunity. The place is on the beach and from what I gather is quite an old place. Many of the homes and buildings are traditional mudbrick.I believe that a few strong typhoons is what caused it to be condemned. There are still people's belongings left behind in homes and shops, calendars still hang on walls and faded tapestries still cling to the walls and ceilings. Feral cats and dogs have moved in, and as you can see, nature has reclaimed once open spaces. Posted: 11/09/2020 10:28:59
Hi Steve, Like that you chose B+W to document this. The "blacker" version enhances the detail, and is more dramatic. A magnificent photo. Posted: 11/17/2020 23:12:35
(Group 5)
Hi Steve, you have done a great job documenting the story. Thorro has done a great job in giving you feedback on the actual photo.
You have two stories within the photo. One on the left side.. a beautiful landscaping photo by cropping the building out. I would love to see it in color. If you have the opportunity to take the photo again, try to include a bit more of the building! Posted: 11/20/2020 18:44:00
You have two stories within the photo. One on the left side.. a beautiful landscaping photo by cropping the building out. I would love to see it in color. If you have the opportunity to take the photo again, try to include a bit more of the building! Posted: 11/20/2020 18:44:00