An Unlikely "Love Affair"

ohkphoto

Snow White
I'm trying to develop a fondness for subject matter I'm not usually drawn to. I shot this on the main drag in town . . . I found the color and the reflection intriguing. I keep coming back to this photo so obviously, there's something I like about it, but am not sure that it's earned its way into my portfolio (poor thing) Unlike others, I do not have a love affair for cars and trucks.

The first is uncropped with just the usual post processing in Ligthroom. The second is cropped with a filter treatment (Tiffen DFX)

Your thoughts would be appreciated. _DSC0497-Edit-Edit lowres-FrameShop_1.jpg

_DSC0497-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit-FrameShop.jpg
 

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Super cool
The effects on the rims & the colors are fantastic.
Maybe i would see how the image would look without the 2 clumps of modern art in front of the glass?
It seems to take something away from the reflection for me.
 

Michael J.

Senior Member
Thi son elooks great in color, reflection in the window. Nothing tries to pull away my eyes from the point I looking.



That one, the white spot on the window pulls my eyes away from the subject I am looking to. It is as same as a magnet.



I like the first one a lot - It fits to my mind of a great capture of cars and the second one reminds me of a capture from a TV screen, which is great but not as great as the first one.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
I'm a little conservative and prefer the uncrop version. Like Don, I would like to see the entire car. It has a nice color.
 

crycocyon

Senior Member
All I can say is, I think I'm in love with you. ;)

Seriously though, very nice treatment of that gorgeous automobile. I prefer the original version. The color is so vivid, must be that New Mexico sunlight. :)
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
I'm the conservative sort that likes the 1st pic as well. The "shine" makes me focus more on the wheels and the brightness than the beauty of the vehicle itself... but that's just my non-professional opinion. FANTASTIC shot, and I'd LOVE to see the whole vehicle!
 

ohkphoto

Snow White
LOL what fun comments to wake up to . . . you sweet guys. "Though ye jest, 'tis still fun to hear." :cool:

Z5centkisses (1).gif

Thank you all for your very valuable feedback, and based on all of it, here are my conclusions.

The problem I had with the photo was a "center of interest" issue. (@Whitelight: you saw this, and your comment about the art blocking the windows was the first clue that this was not working) Because I'm not a "car person" I didn't realize how beautiful the car really was. It really demanded to be the center of interest . . . I foolishly tried to make the reflection the center of interest, which is why part of the car is out of the frame. This morning, I even tried to reduce the brightness of the car to highlight the reflection in the window more and force the eyes to travel to the reflection first . . . no go. So, if I have Angelina Jolie or George Clooney (or the "salad dressing" man) in the viewfinder, why in the world would I want the reflection to be the center of interest?

I like the second crop simply because the original looks "sloppy" . . . and the teepee in the background is as bothersome as the headlight being cut out of the photo. Sometimes, if something is missing, it's better to make it "obvious".

I agree with all of you that the filter treatment in the second one detracts from the car . . . draws the eyes either toward the center glare or the bumper and rims.

On my next trip to town, I'm going to seek out this car and give it the "photographic respect" it deserves :cool:

​Thank you again for helping me become a little more introspective . . . . have gotten sloppy with that, too, . . . sigh.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
I saw where you were going with the reflection thing, and didn't really see anything wrong with it.

But yeah, typically when it comes to cars, it's a safe bet to leave artistry at the front door and just press the shutter button. To men, the only thing better than a sexy car is when there's a chick splayed out across the hood of it.

:)
 

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
LOL what fun comments to wake up to . . . you sweet guys. "Though ye jest, 'tis still fun to hear." :cool:

View attachment 50917

Thank you all for your very valuable feedback, and based on all of it, here are my conclusions.

The problem I had with the photo was a "center of interest" issue. (@Whitelight: you saw this, and your comment about the art blocking the windows was the first clue that this was not working) Because I'm not a "car person" I didn't realize how beautiful the car really was. It really demanded to be the center of interest . . . I foolishly tried to make the reflection the center of interest, which is why part of the car is out of the frame. This morning, I even tried to reduce the brightness of the car to highlight the reflection in the window more and force the eyes to travel to the reflection first . . . no go. So, if I have Angelina Jolie or George Clooney (or the "salad dressing" man) in the viewfinder, why in the world would I want the reflection to be the center of interest?

I like the second crop simply because the original looks "sloppy" . . . and the teepee in the background is as bothersome as the headlight being cut out of the photo. Sometimes, if something is missing, it's better to make it "obvious".

I agree with all of you that the filter treatment in the second one detracts from the car . . . draws the eyes either toward the center glare or the bumper and rims.

On my next trip to town, I'm going to seek out this car and give it the "photographic respect" it deserves :cool:

​Thank you again for helping me become a little more introspective . . . . have gotten sloppy with that, too, . . . sigh.


The easiest way to think about car photos is this...

EVERY guy's first love is a car because a car represents freedom. All of his other loves are secondary.

My first toy that I still remember in detail was a silver 1954 Mercedes Gullwing coupe.

YOU are our second love. :heart:
 
I saw where you were going with the reflection thing, and didn't really see anything wrong with it.

But yeah, typically when it comes to cars, it's a safe bet to leave artistry at the front door and just press the shutter button. To men, the only thing better than a sexy car is when there's a chick splayed out across the hood of it.

:)

beside the car. don't want them messing up the paint of polish.
 
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