Jim Hagan, MPSA 2
About the Image(s)
Several years ago, I was in the Greenfield Village (near Detroit) and I photographed the gears of a very old farm tractor – 85mm, f/9 and 1/2000. But, because of the various items in the background my image did not emphasize the gears as I wanted. So, I very carefully selected everything in the image except the gears. Then I deleted the selected items and added a black layer which took the place of all the deletions.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
Henry Heerschap
I love stuff like this, Jim, and I agree that the subject really benefits from simplifying. I do think you may have gone a bit too far on the left side of the image. It bothers me to see the spokes of the background gear end abruptly when they go behind the foreground piece. The gears at the top are just right, in my opinion. Generally, I don't love borders, but a thin stroke around the image might also be called for in this case.   Posted: 11/09/2023 00:02:00
Jim Hagan
Henry, you are right the spokes of the back gear should have been in the image.   Posted: 11/17/2023 14:11:41
Christian Serre
Since you are eliminating what is not round or circular, a gear or a helicoidal shape, I'm wondering if the chain on the lower right was left intentionally for a purpose or whether removing it would be beneficial. I see that it does balance the image but it seems incongruous.   Posted: 11/10/2023 20:04:34
Jim Hagan
You are right the chain is incongruous with the rest of the gears but I left it in the image as I felt the chain was a very nice leading line. And, I think the chain balanced the composition because without it there would have been a black empty space in that area.   Posted: 11/17/2023 14:18:02
Jim Hagan
Very nice alternative.
  Posted: 11/22/2023 00:03:55
  Posted: 11/22/2023 00:03:55
Darlene Elwin
I like the subject with all those circles. Getting close to something lets you really see it. I like what Michael has done to it. However, I've been taught that bright/light lines at the edges of an image take your eye out and should be toned down. The very dark background keeps your attention on the beautiful textures in the gears.   Posted: 11/30/2023 19:25:58