Elsie Allen
April 2025 - Water Pump
Original
About the Image(s)
Recently, while photographing in Briarlake Forest Park, here in Decatur, GA, I was attracted to the shimmer of drops from the water pump splashing into the metallic pail.
This picture was captured with Canon 6D Mark II 24 - 70 mm lens at 70mm, 1/320 sec, f6.3 ISO 160.
B&W conversion was done in PSE via gradient map.
Obtaining the desired perspective while managing the exposure was challenging.
I would appreciate any comments.
4 comments posted
Hello Elsie
From a technical standpoint, I think you have done well: the image is well exposed and the subject is in sharp focus. From a composition standpoint, you have thoughtfully chosen a shooting position that separates the subject from the background without overlapping of the background elements.
I can see that you struggled with camera angle as you mentioned and the resulting perspective doesn't work for me. In these situations, I find it helps me to ask myself some questions: What is my subject / point of interest? What do I want the viewer to see / feel? Is there something to be gained by stepping back or getting close?
A clue is in your description. You were attracted to the water DROPS - and if I look closely I can see the splash - but you've presented us with an image of a pump with some distracting background elements and the drops are all but lost. Consider using the compositional element called "Fill The Frame". In my visual feedback I obviously had to crop severely - but in the field, you would zoom in and adjust your shooting position to achieve this in-camera. See what you think. Posted: 04/10/2025 13:00:36
From a technical standpoint, I think you have done well: the image is well exposed and the subject is in sharp focus. From a composition standpoint, you have thoughtfully chosen a shooting position that separates the subject from the background without overlapping of the background elements.
I can see that you struggled with camera angle as you mentioned and the resulting perspective doesn't work for me. In these situations, I find it helps me to ask myself some questions: What is my subject / point of interest? What do I want the viewer to see / feel? Is there something to be gained by stepping back or getting close?
A clue is in your description. You were attracted to the water DROPS - and if I look closely I can see the splash - but you've presented us with an image of a pump with some distracting background elements and the drops are all but lost. Consider using the compositional element called "Fill The Frame". In my visual feedback I obviously had to crop severely - but in the field, you would zoom in and adjust your shooting position to achieve this in-camera. See what you think. Posted: 04/10/2025 13:00:36
Elsie Allen
Thank you, Michael. I actually did capture this perspective (see attached).
But, without the spigot, it seemed uninteresting and incomplete. I would be interested in the thoughts of others. Posted: 04/14/2025 01:10:33
But, without the spigot, it seemed uninteresting and incomplete. I would be interested in the thoughts of others. Posted: 04/14/2025 01:10:33
Fair enough! Posted: 04/14/2025 03:00:30
I really like the diagonal lines balancing and separating the two pairs of tree trunks with my eyes then being drawn to the pump handle in the middle of the diagonal lines, and then down to the base platform with the bricks subtly angled pointing to the water dish. A fun and pleasing photo. Posted: 04/21/2025 09:21:26