The Potash Plant. Near Moab, Utah, 2013
For this week’s image I have chosen a recent color image that I’d classify as a landscape–despite the inclusion of a huge (ugly?) metal structure.
And my standard call before I proceed: If you have been lurking about this web site and you’d like me to use your image for a Wednesday critique, just send me an e-mail (see Contact tab). That way, you can save me from critiquing my own images–which would be a welcome relief! Oh, and no names will be mentioned–it will be an anonymous critique.
OK, back to the photo o’ the week…I have my critic’s hat on and I am pretending this is the first time I’ve ever seen this photograph…here we go…
The metadata: Nikon D90 (1.5x crop factor sensor) with Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6 zoom at 125mm, f/8, 1/160, ISO200, handheld, outdoors with clear sky and late afternoon light.
And following my 7-Step Critique Guide…
1) EXAMINE. In this color image the main subject is a factory of some sort–the “potash plant”, according to the title–and is set against a backdrop of typical Utah red sandstone cliffs. The structure appears to be very well used and even at the end of its life, but perhaps not abandoned as I see that there is still electricity to the building (light on). In the foreground are what look like sage bushes.
2) EMOTIONAL RESPONSE. I have a dual response to this photograph. First, when I look at the man-made structure, I feel a sense of cold, of years gone by, of abandonment, of some strange project in the desert, of the temporal. Second, when I concentrate on the cliffs in the background I feel much warmer, more content, and I also feel a strong sense of solidity and permanence. It also causes me to ponder the relative longevity of the two main subjects–the metal structure built by humans versus the red sandstone built by the Earth. So, placing these two contradictory elements in the same frame really causes a split in my emotional response.
3) TECHNICAL POINTS. Technically, I don’t see any problems with exposure, contrast, color balance or overall sharpness. The relatively high dynamic range–the highlights of the bright cliff and the darker area of the structure–was handled well…detail is visible throughout and nothing appears to be clipped. This was a handheld shot but sufficient shutter speed was used to maintain sharpness (with help from VR) and the choice of f/8 worked to get the factory and the cliffs in focus. I do notice that, with the choice of f/8 and the focal point on what appears to be the closer building, the sage bushes in the foreground are not in focus. In this case, I think that is a distraction, especially in that left bottom corner. If there had been a way to shoot from slightly higher up (stand on a rock or your vehicle or someone’s shoulders???) then you could have included some of the sage but not so much as to distract. Further “border patrol” reveals no other major issues.
4) ARTISTIC QUALITIES. I like the duality of the image–the Civilization versus Nature theme. Which will last? Which will win out in the end? The diagonals in the man-made structure emit tension, and that is contrasted with the vertical lines of the background cliffs which imply stability. To fine tune that last statement, the man-made structure actually has both strong diagonals and strong verticals–so maybe it is displaying a sort of undecided mix of tension and change, combined with stability and permanence. I also very much like the complimentary colors of red-orange (the cliffs) and blue-green (the structure)–these are aesthetically pleasing combinations. The image is cropped nice and tight with no extraneous items in the frame which might distract (with the possible exception of the sage bushes at bottom left). On this note, I like the choice of leaving out the sky–assuming it is just above those cliffs–as doing so would have drawn the eye up and away from the center of interest of the image. Finally, even though there are many elements to study within the photograph, the composition is actually very simple–a combination of verticals and diagonals. So, the use of color and the overall composition are both strong points.
5. POSITIVE POINTS. I like the message of the image (if I interpret it correctly!). I also like the composition and the use of color.
6. IMPROVE. The sage bushes at bottom left definitely detract from the photograph and that puts a blemish on an otherwise interesting picture. I would consider taking more time to study different angles–left and right, high and low. Also, make sure you do a good “border patrol” around the edges of your viewfinder–yes, to make sure you have included what you want…but perhaps more importantly, to make sure you have also excluded any unwanted elements.
7. OVERALL. I’d say this is a slightly above average “landscape” image and could work well as part of a larger series on the relationship of Humans with Nature.
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