Abstract More intentional unsharpness

WileyB · 12-10-2020, 11:40 AM

This photo isn't exactly badly unfocused, but neither is it packed with razor sharp contrast.

Does that help convey a slightly surreal/dream mood with the unusual reflected light patterns on the sidewalk, or is it just annoying and make your head hurt?

Last edited by WileyB; 01-20-2021 at 03:54 PM.

MikeMcE · 12-10-2020, 02:50 PM

I like the patterns, the trees on the left take my eyes away though......
Might be too contrasty???

Hang up and DRIVE!

WileyB · 12-10-2020, 03:12 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks, Mike,

Do you mean shadow/highlight contrast, or too much color saturation, or something else?

MikeMcE · 12-10-2020, 03:27 PM

The green just distracts me....Honestly I'm not sure.....Its so close !

WileyB · 12-10-2020, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by MikeMcE

The green just distracts me....Honestly I'm not sure.....Its so close !

That makes sense. sidewalk patterns are the most interesting and unique part of the photo, but the grass immediately next door is just SO GREEN!

**John in OZ** · 12-10-2020, 05:16 PM - **1 Like**

I have pondered similar too. Guess simplifying the image could help. Hope you don't mind, this is my suggested result using your image. I used lens correction in PS to simplify the image. Love to hear from others too.

MikeMcE · 12-10-2020, 05:24 PM - **1 Like**

I thought of that look, but to me the narrowness of the walk is the center of attention, this might be sweet in monochrome though.....

Hang up and DRIVE!

**MSL** · 12-10-2020, 05:49 PM

I had a similar thought to @John_in_Oz but would have cropped less. I think if you remove everything above the flower bed at the top, (not including the raised flowers), you should still preserve most of the width while getting rid of things that distract from the sidewalk patterns.

WileyB · 12-10-2020, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by MikeMcE

I thought of that look, but to me the narrowness of the walk is the center of attention, this might be sweet in monochrome though.....

Hang up and DRIVE!

Agree, monochrome with this crop could be cool!

I really like the person almost out of frame at the end of the path on the original view though :-P

MikeMcE · 12-11-2020, 04:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by WileyB

Agree, monochrome with this crop could be cool!

I really like the person almost out of frame at the end of the path on the original view though :-P

Agreed, the person adds life to the shot, that’s why I couldn’t find a crop that trips me

Hang up and DRIVE!

**Sir Nameless** · 12-11-2020, 06:52 AM

I really like those light patterns, and I like the original composition as-is. I agree that the person adds to the image; it's more of a story when he/she is included.

If it were me, I would try dropping the saturation a little (maybe add vibrance to counter-balance) and also play with the contrast to get it overall lower. I think those two things might pair well with the softer focus.

A straight monochrome conversion does look promising too. (Did you know if you're on Windows 10 that WIN-Ctrl-C will toggle your whole display to monochrome?)

WileyB · 12-11-2020, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by Sir Nameless

Did you know if you're on Windows 10 that WIN-Ctrl-C will toggle your whole display to monochrome?

Had to turn it on first, but...that's revolutionary!

WileyB · 12-11-2020, 08:07 AM

OK. Less saturated, and at least I like this a lot better!

rodcy · 12-11-2020, 08:10 AM

Does it need a straighten?

WileyB · 12-11-2020, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by rodcy

Does it need a straighten?

Not to my eye, but I'm curious if anyone else sees that.

The offcenter sidewalk means it intersects the bottom of the frame at different points, which could be making a balance problem...?

12-10-2020, 11:40 AM	#1
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441	More intentional unsharpness Lens: 18-135 Camera: K-5 Photo Location: Salt Lake City, UT ISO: 80 Shutter Speed: 1/90s Aperture: F8 This photo isn't exactly badly unfocused, but neither is it packed with razor sharp contrast. Does that help convey a slightly surreal/dream mood with the unusual reflected light patterns on the sidewalk, or is it just annoying and make your head hurt? Last edited by WileyB; 01-20-2021 at 03:54 PM.

12-10-2020, 05:24 PM - 1 Like	#7
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	More intentional unsharpness I thought of that look, but to me the narrowness of the walk is the center of attention, this might be sweet in monochrome though..... Hang up and DRIVE!

12-11-2020, 08:07 AM	#13
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441 Original Poster	OK. Less saturated, and at least I like this a lot better! Last edited by WileyB; 01-20-2021 at 03:54 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax ES hanging shutter. Not sure if bug or intentional?	quozzy	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	2	07-15-2016 09:57 AM
Macro INtentional soft shot and glazed. Let me have it	LightSpeed	Photo Critique	2	03-15-2012 11:42 PM
CPL causes unsharpness beyond 200mm per OP magazine	imtheguy	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	8	02-08-2011 03:38 PM
intentional lens flare...	Raptorman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	12-04-2009 06:51 PM

12-10-2020, 02:50 PM	#2
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	I like the patterns, the trees on the left take my eyes away though...... Might be too contrasty??? Hang up and DRIVE!

12-10-2020, 03:12 PM - 1 Like	#3
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441 Original Poster	Thanks, Mike, Do you mean shadow/highlight contrast, or too much color saturation, or something else?

12-10-2020, 03:27 PM	#4
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	The green just distracts me....Honestly I'm not sure.....Its so close !

12-10-2020, 03:39 PM	#5
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441 Original Poster	Originally posted by MikeMcE The green just distracts me....Honestly I'm not sure.....Its so close ! That makes sense. sidewalk patterns are the most interesting and unique part of the photo, but the grass immediately next door is just SO GREEN!

12-10-2020, 05:16 PM - 1 Like	#6
John in OZ Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ringwood, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 347	I have pondered similar too. Guess simplifying the image could help. Hope you don't mind, this is my suggested result using your image. I used lens correction in PS to simplify the image. Love to hear from others too.

12-10-2020, 05:49 PM	#8
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	I had a similar thought to @John_in_Oz but would have cropped less. I think if you remove everything above the flower bed at the top, (not including the raised flowers), you should still preserve most of the width while getting rid of things that distract from the sidewalk patterns.

12-10-2020, 08:58 PM	#9
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441 Original Poster	Originally posted by MikeMcE I thought of that look, but to me the narrowness of the walk is the center of attention, this might be sweet in monochrome though..... Hang up and DRIVE! Agree, monochrome with this crop could be cool! I really like the person almost out of frame at the end of the path on the original view though :-P

12-11-2020, 04:40 AM - 1 Like	#10
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	Originally posted by WileyB Agree, monochrome with this crop could be cool! I really like the person almost out of frame at the end of the path on the original view though :-P Agreed, the person adds life to the shot, that’s why I couldn’t find a crop that trips me Hang up and DRIVE!

12-11-2020, 06:52 AM	#11
Sir Nameless Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mass a chew sits Photos: Gallery Posts: 574	I really like those light patterns, and I like the original composition as-is. I agree that the person adds to the image; it's more of a story when he/she is included. If it were me, I would try dropping the saturation a little (maybe add vibrance to counter-balance) and also play with the contrast to get it overall lower. I think those two things might pair well with the softer focus. A straight monochrome conversion does look promising too. (Did you know if you're on Windows 10 that WIN-Ctrl-C will toggle your whole display to monochrome?)

12-11-2020, 07:54 AM	#12
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sir Nameless Did you know if you're on Windows 10 that WIN-Ctrl-C will toggle your whole display to monochrome? Had to turn it on first, but...that's revolutionary!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-11-2020, 08:10 AM	#14
rodcy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 61	Does it need a straighten?

12-11-2020, 08:13 AM	#15
WileyB Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 441 Original Poster	Originally posted by rodcy Does it need a straighten? Not to my eye, but I'm curious if anyone else sees that. The offcenter sidewalk means it intersects the bottom of the frame at different points, which could be making a balance problem...?