Tom McCreary, APSA, MPSA
April 2026 - Wisconsin Logging Truck
About the Image(s)
This was taken a few years ago, along the side of the road. I really liked the antique truck that is getting overgrown with the trees. I did clean it up some and increased the saturation in the truck some as the paint is fading. I used a Nikon 18-300mm lens at 85mm, 1/100th second, f10 and ISO 200.
12 comments posted
Tom - You found a genuinely interesting subject - love old vehicles. However, the image feels left heavy. The front of the truck and dense foliage pull the eye to the left and hold it there, while the logs on the right don't provide enough visual counterbalance.
Also, and I think this is even more important, the leaves showing through the windshield are distracting-they break the integrity of the subject and make the truck, which is the star of the show, feel less dominant and more cluttered.
Perhaps you could have shifted your position to eliminate the foliage through the windshield - that would immediately strengthen the image. Rebalancing could also be achieved by giving the logs more presence or cropping in from the left to reduce the visual weight of the greenery.
Subtly toning down the bright greens would also help the truck stand out as the clear focal point and perhaps darkening the logs and saturating the truck cab - but the big issue here is GREAT subject, but not well balanced.
Posted: 04/01/2026 20:07:51
Also, and I think this is even more important, the leaves showing through the windshield are distracting-they break the integrity of the subject and make the truck, which is the star of the show, feel less dominant and more cluttered.
Perhaps you could have shifted your position to eliminate the foliage through the windshield - that would immediately strengthen the image. Rebalancing could also be achieved by giving the logs more presence or cropping in from the left to reduce the visual weight of the greenery.
Subtly toning down the bright greens would also help the truck stand out as the clear focal point and perhaps darkening the logs and saturating the truck cab - but the big issue here is GREAT subject, but not well balanced.
Posted: 04/01/2026 20:07:51
Tom -
I think you know I edit and re-edit A LOT and I sent in the wrong review so here's the correct one. My apologies
You found a genuinely interesting subject - love old vehicles! However, the image feels left heavy. The front of the truck and dense foliage pull the eye to the left and hold it there, while the logs on the right don't provide enough visual counterbalance.
That said, what I love about the image is the subject and especially how you positioned yourself, so the vehicle's wheels are turned toward the camera - image with head on direction always have more impact, little things are important, good call
The big drawback though are the leaves. Especially those showing through the windshield breaking the integrity of the subject and making the truck, which is the star of the show, feel less dominant and more cluttered.
Perhaps you could have shifted your position to eliminate the foliage through the windshield - but that would have removed the tire angle that's great . Rebalancing could also be achieved by giving the logs more presence or cropping in from the left to reduce the visual weight of the greenery.
Subtly toning down the bright greens would also help the truck stand out as the clear focal point and perhaps darkening the logs and saturating the truck cab - but the big issue here is GREAT subject and good angle on the wheels but weighted too heavily on the left.
Posted: 04/02/2026 12:43:42
I think you know I edit and re-edit A LOT and I sent in the wrong review so here's the correct one. My apologies
You found a genuinely interesting subject - love old vehicles! However, the image feels left heavy. The front of the truck and dense foliage pull the eye to the left and hold it there, while the logs on the right don't provide enough visual counterbalance.
That said, what I love about the image is the subject and especially how you positioned yourself, so the vehicle's wheels are turned toward the camera - image with head on direction always have more impact, little things are important, good call
The big drawback though are the leaves. Especially those showing through the windshield breaking the integrity of the subject and making the truck, which is the star of the show, feel less dominant and more cluttered.
Perhaps you could have shifted your position to eliminate the foliage through the windshield - but that would have removed the tire angle that's great . Rebalancing could also be achieved by giving the logs more presence or cropping in from the left to reduce the visual weight of the greenery.
Subtly toning down the bright greens would also help the truck stand out as the clear focal point and perhaps darkening the logs and saturating the truck cab - but the big issue here is GREAT subject and good angle on the wheels but weighted too heavily on the left.
Posted: 04/02/2026 12:43:42
Thanks, I agree that I need to crop some off the left.
I guess that I should have included the original. I did increase the saturation of the truck. There was some junk in the back window of the truck, and I thought that it would be better to use the stamp tool and fill it with leaves.
One of my thoughts with the truck was to bring out the fact that it is getting over grown with trees. But looking at it again, maybe I should have filled the junk area with dark branches? Posted: 04/02/2026 12:58:27
I guess that I should have included the original. I did increase the saturation of the truck. There was some junk in the back window of the truck, and I thought that it would be better to use the stamp tool and fill it with leaves.
One of my thoughts with the truck was to bring out the fact that it is getting over grown with trees. But looking at it again, maybe I should have filled the junk area with dark branches? Posted: 04/02/2026 12:58:27
Removing those leaves makes a significant difference - I still like the truck turning into my view :-) Posted: 04/02/2026 13:11:06
I cropped some off the left, saturated the truck a bit more, darkened the logs, and replaced the leaves on the right side of the back window with dark tree branches. Posted: 04/02/2026 21:04:55
Tom - I think it presents a better, what do you think? Those leaves in the cab were a major distraction Posted: 04/02/2026 21:38:44
Yes, it does, thanks for the suggestions. I did like the story of the truck being overgrown by the tree, but it is better photographically with your suggestions. Thanks again. These DD groups are really a great help. Posted: 04/02/2026 23:42:40
Between documentation and artistry, for good or bad, I focus on the artistry - that's why the Good Lord gave us Photoshop :-) Posted: 04/02/2026 23:56:20
My First I,pression was that theTruck was ready to go but there wa a log in the way so it just sat there for decades. As a photo, I think all I would do is select the truck and desaturate and lower the highlights. The I would reselect and reverse selection to tone down the background. Probably would not crop the photo. Can't imagoine how many flat tires the driver had to change with such thin tires! Posted: 04/11/2026 21:21:35
Thanks for sharing a lovely image Tom. I like your second edited version. Agree with Butch on the integrity of the truck being compromised by the branches inside the cabin. Your second edition also appeared to have toned down the red a bit sitting very nicely between the original colour and your first edit. I would have left the logs alone giving that bleached look indicating long hours in the sun. I also like the way the wheels are angled and the worn out threads still evident. I would definitely use this in a salon and called it "Forgotten Load'!!! Posted: 04/13/2026 18:14:28
Going down memory lane!A photo with a story with or without the green foliage seen through the windshield. With some minor colour tweaks,a great photo. Posted: 04/15/2026 11:27:53
I have not a lot of interest in trucks, but did like this image. The poor old wagon just sinking into the environment... Leaf reduction works well and the version posted 04/02/2026 21:04:55 much improves it. I, personally, don't think it needs a crop on the left as it give the vehicle space to breathe. I love the fact it has turned to face the viewer but looks unlikely to ever head in that directions again. I just tinkered with contrast to darken the background and lighten/add a bit of saturation to the truck. I do hope you go back in a year or two to see what progress has been made. Unfortunately, I tinkered with the first image posted but in case it is useful will post here. Posted: 04/16/2026 08:54:17