Landscape Picture of a guy....painting a picture

Bryce K · 11-08-2014, 01:20 PM - **2 Likes**

I was driving through the Anza Borrego desert back in December of 2007 and came across this guy literally out in the middle of nowhere painting this scene in front of him. I took this shot and for some reason always liked it.

Attached Images

flaviopetrone · 11-08-2014, 01:25 PM

This shot is very meaningful, it tells a story. That guy seems a professional painter, with all the equipment...
Good shot!

**RobA_Oz** · 11-08-2014, 01:44 PM

Painting on the edge! Now there's something you don't see every day. i can see why you like it, though.

Bryce K · 11-08-2014, 01:59 PM

I appreciate any constructive feedback on anything I throw up on here. Honestly I'm a novice and any input on framing, composition, or exposure flaws (or anything I did right) is appreciated. That said what people like in photos can be highly subjective and people can still like photos that have obvious flaws. I do need to get back into the habit I had back then which is to have a camera with me at all times so that opportunities like this one don't pass me by.

gor80 · 11-08-2014, 07:30 PM

perhaps it was necessary to take a wider angle that would show the reproduction ratio of the mountains

gildedfool · 11-08-2014, 07:57 PM

It's a picture of a guy painting a picture of a picturesque scene. Very meta.

**Schraubstock** · 11-09-2014, 04:20 AM

It is all wrong !

Not your photograph, that is fine.
The painter's choice of canvas size; utterly inappropriate format for this sort of motive. So I don't think he is a professional.

Greetings

**ROBEFFY** · 11-09-2014, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by Bryce K

I was driving through the Anza Borrego desert back in December of 2007 and came across this guy literally out in the middle of nowhere painting this scene in front of him. I took this shot and for some reason always liked it.

I think it is an interesting place, and the pic shows an interesting activity.
As such, I would consider consider cropping, to eliminate some background.
To me, as an amateur, I would emphasize the painter and the harshness of the terrain, and lose the top area which is bright, and it looks as if there is a roadway behind the painter, lose that too.
My 2 cents!

**RobA_Oz** · 11-09-2014, 09:49 PM

Originally posted by Schraubstock

It is all wrong !

Not your photograph, that is fine.
The painter's choice of canvas size; utterly inappropriate format for this sort of motive. So I don't think he is a professional.

Greetings

That rather depends on what the artist's vision tells them, doesn't it? Photographers can crop in post, of course, but the masters of landscape photography have used all sorts of formats/aspect ratios, from square to 4x5 to 6x7 to 2x3, and now 9x16!

Anyway, what's a professional? The general rule of thumb these days is anyone who can sell their output. Academics and others will tell you it's someone who professes a body of knowledge. Take your pick (personally, I think both apply).

The more I look at your photo, the more I like the compression of the longer FL. I think, though, it would benefit from some post-processing to bring out the layering of the hills, more. I had wondered if the painter might have been positioned differently (as in Rule of Thirds, for example) but I like the tension created by the fact that he appears to be seated right on the edge of a steep drop, and placing him near the edge of the frame I think assists that.

**rayallen** · 11-09-2014, 10:42 PM

I think you have it pretty much right as it is. Contrast in the lower third is about right, the painter is on a third (not an intersecting third but on a third nevertheless) and the top 2/3 is a bit lacking in contrast but that reflects the actual scene.
The interesting thing for me is that what the painter is painting appears to be at odds with what is in front of him. I guess that is one of the benefits of painting - if the scene is not to your liking then you paint it the way you want it to be.

We do that in post processing, the painter does it as he goes. You really have captured a story there.

flaviopetrone · 11-10-2014, 01:05 AM

Originally posted by rayallen

The interesting thing for me is that what the painter is painting appears to be at odds with what is in front of him. I guess that is one of the benefits of painting - if the scene is not to your liking then you paint it the way you want it to be.

We do that in post processing, the painter does it as he goes. You really have captured a story there.

He is producing a picture, so he doesn't have to PP it.

**Schraubstock** · 11-10-2014, 03:00 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

That rather depends on what the artist's vision tells them, doesn't it?

Hi Rob

Of course you are both right and wrong. How is that for a diplomatic answer.

Then there is the artist who hangs a blank canvas on the wall of the gallery and lets people figure out what the story is. And the suckers who buy this work of art for a lot of money (because the artist has a name) pretending they are superior laughing at people who have a blank look on their faces as blank as the canvas when trying to figure out what it all means..

Oh well, beauty is in the eyes of the artist and going against the norm can make them a lot of money and who am I to be judgmental.

kadajawi · 11-10-2014, 12:03 PM

Flawless. And I also like the composition of the painting. A lot.

Mr Bassie · 11-10-2014, 12:40 PM

Very nice. I like it too.

madhurvyas · 11-13-2014, 03:37 AM

Why colors in painting looks saturated, but image looks dull.

11-08-2014, 01:20 PM - 2 Likes	#1
Bryce K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 93	Picture of a guy....painting a picture Lens: Canon 28-135 Camera: Canon Rebel XTi Photo Location: Anza Borrego desert I was driving through the Anza Borrego desert back in December of 2007 and came across this guy literally out in the middle of nowhere painting this scene in front of him. I took this shot and for some reason always liked it. Attached Images

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11-08-2014, 01:25 PM	#2
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	This shot is very meaningful, it tells a story. That guy seems a professional painter, with all the equipment... Good shot!

11-08-2014, 01:44 PM	#3
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Painting on the edge! Now there's something you don't see every day. i can see why you like it, though.

11-08-2014, 01:59 PM	#4
Bryce K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 93 Original Poster	I appreciate any constructive feedback on anything I throw up on here. Honestly I'm a novice and any input on framing, composition, or exposure flaws (or anything I did right) is appreciated. That said what people like in photos can be highly subjective and people can still like photos that have obvious flaws. I do need to get back into the habit I had back then which is to have a camera with me at all times so that opportunities like this one don't pass me by.

11-08-2014, 07:30 PM	#5
gor80 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Балашиха Photos: Albums Posts: 595	perhaps it was necessary to take a wider angle that would show the reproduction ratio of the mountains

11-08-2014, 07:57 PM	#6
gildedfool Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 315	It's a picture of a guy painting a picture of a picturesque scene. Very meta.

11-09-2014, 04:20 AM	#7
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	It is all wrong ! Not your photograph, that is fine. The painter's choice of canvas size; utterly inappropriate format for this sort of motive. So I don't think he is a professional. Greetings

11-09-2014, 09:25 PM	#8
ROBEFFY Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 248	Originally posted by Bryce K I was driving through the Anza Borrego desert back in December of 2007 and came across this guy literally out in the middle of nowhere painting this scene in front of him. I took this shot and for some reason always liked it. I think it is an interesting place, and the pic shows an interesting activity. As such, I would consider consider cropping, to eliminate some background. To me, as an amateur, I would emphasize the painter and the harshness of the terrain, and lose the top area which is bright, and it looks as if there is a roadway behind the painter, lose that too. My 2 cents!

11-09-2014, 09:49 PM	#9
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by Schraubstock It is all wrong ! Not your photograph, that is fine. The painter's choice of canvas size; utterly inappropriate format for this sort of motive. So I don't think he is a professional. Greetings That rather depends on what the artist's vision tells them, doesn't it? Photographers can crop in post, of course, but the masters of landscape photography have used all sorts of formats/aspect ratios, from square to 4x5 to 6x7 to 2x3, and now 9x16! Anyway, what's a professional? The general rule of thumb these days is anyone who can sell their output. Academics and others will tell you it's someone who professes a body of knowledge. Take your pick (personally, I think both apply). The more I look at your photo, the more I like the compression of the longer FL. I think, though, it would benefit from some post-processing to bring out the layering of the hills, more. I had wondered if the painter might have been positioned differently (as in Rule of Thirds, for example) but I like the tension created by the fact that he appears to be seated right on the edge of a steep drop, and placing him near the edge of the frame I think assists that.

11-09-2014, 10:42 PM	#10
rayallen Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Forresters Beach, NSW, Australia. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,014	I think you have it pretty much right as it is. Contrast in the lower third is about right, the painter is on a third (not an intersecting third but on a third nevertheless) and the top 2/3 is a bit lacking in contrast but that reflects the actual scene. The interesting thing for me is that what the painter is painting appears to be at odds with what is in front of him. I guess that is one of the benefits of painting - if the scene is not to your liking then you paint it the way you want it to be. We do that in post processing, the painter does it as he goes. You really have captured a story there.

11-10-2014, 01:05 AM	#11
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by rayallen The interesting thing for me is that what the painter is painting appears to be at odds with what is in front of him. I guess that is one of the benefits of painting - if the scene is not to your liking then you paint it the way you want it to be. We do that in post processing, the painter does it as he goes. You really have captured a story there. He is producing a picture, so he doesn't have to PP it.

11-10-2014, 03:00 AM	#12
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by RobA_Oz That rather depends on what the artist's vision tells them, doesn't it? Hi Rob Of course you are both right and wrong. How is that for a diplomatic answer. Then there is the artist who hangs a blank canvas on the wall of the gallery and lets people figure out what the story is. And the suckers who buy this work of art for a lot of money (because the artist has a name) pretending they are superior laughing at people who have a blank look on their faces as blank as the canvas when trying to figure out what it all means.. Oh well, beauty is in the eyes of the artist and going against the norm can make them a lot of money and who am I to be judgmental.

11-10-2014, 12:03 PM	#13
kadajawi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2,799	Flawless. And I also like the composition of the painting. A lot.

11-10-2014, 12:40 PM	#14
Mr Bassie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,258	Very nice. I like it too.

11-13-2014, 03:37 AM	#15
madhurvyas Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bikaner (Raj)-India Photos: Gallery Posts: 562	Why colors in painting looks saturated, but image looks dull.