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Signs of the times by the roadside.
Signs of the times by the roadside.
cvhs99


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Road Signs Revisited (Classic Editing)
Camera: Nikon D1
Location: Cowell Road in Concord, CA
Date: Jan 18, 2003
Galleries: Urban
Date Uploaded: Jan 18, 2003

I was reminded of the times we live in when I saw these simple mail boxes adored with the American flags. They certainly show the signs of the times.

Statistics
Place: 173 out of 174
Avg (all users): 3.6400
Avg (commenters): 3.5500
Avg (participants): 3.4643
Avg (non-participants): 3.8636
Views since voting: 947
Votes: 200
Comments: 21
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
02/01/2003 10:51:46 AM
*Critique Club*

FIRST IMPRESSION: I was surprised that you submitted such a small photograph. The Nikon D1 is a fairly capable camera at 2.6 megapixels, and you would do yourself a service to move in as close as possible on your subject so you can submit a photograph that is close to the full 640 pixel limit.

CHALLENGE: I think this photograph "sort-of" meets the challenge, albeit in an unexpected way. I'm sure some photographers marked you down for not meeting the challenge in the way they expected (a flag isn't "really" a sign), but I personally don't mind a bit of creative license with the challenge topic.

COMPOSITION: Probably the most disturbing aspect of the composition ot me is that your main subject (the flags and boxes) is centered in the frame. You may have been able to improve your shot by utilizing the rule of thirds in your composition (there is an excellent tutorial on the rule of thirds on this site. While the Rule of Thirds is not a hard and fast rule that works for every photograph, it can, in most cases, strengthen a composition.

It is also worth noting that there are a lot of distractions in this photograph. If you had cut out more non-subject material (try cropping just below the boxes and just above the flags, and just to the left/right of the boxes) this may have been a stronger entry overall.

TECHNICAL: Focus, depth of field, color, etc, all seem good, but to be honest it is difficult to assess those factors at this size.

CONCLUSION: i think this subject had a bit more potential, and was certainly a creative idea. I think next time letting the viewer see more of your subject (and less of what isn't your subject) may help you in the future.

Thanks for sharing and good luck in future challenges!
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/26/2003 06:33:21 PM
off topic
01/26/2003 04:22:02 PM
This picture is just a little too small. With a picture this small it is hard to see details. I like your title though. jgillard6
01/26/2003 02:56:35 AM
I think this image is just too small to be properly assessed.
01/24/2003 05:53:16 PM
you've captured the feelings of people who are proud to be Americans and not afraid to show it.
01/23/2003 08:59:54 PM
the image it too small the detail is lost a tigher crop might have helped to
01/23/2003 08:26:58 PM
I think this is a tad too small and a bit too far back.
01/23/2003 06:25:40 PM
I think I'd have tried to increase the contrast -- especially with so small an image it would help bring out more detail.
01/23/2003 05:17:27 PM
The photo is perhaps smaller than it needed to be and a little soft (levels in photoshop might have put some life into it.
01/22/2003 06:25:57 PM
Well, a couple of things going on here. First, the pic really is too small. It's best to use the space that we're allotted. Secondly, mailboxes don't really qualify as road signs, at least to me, and thirdly, the whole thing is a little washed out and the lighting is dim. Perhaps fiddling with the color in post processing could have given you a bit more punch.
01/22/2003 02:49:10 PM
It's really difficult to judge a photo this small. It's probably better than it looks.
01/22/2003 10:17:37 AM
too small
01/22/2003 02:02:26 AM
This is a nice picture :) I wish it was a bit bigger though so I could actually see what's happening! -Annida
01/21/2003 09:52:02 PM
Small and poorly composed. Better luck next challenge. 2 md
01/21/2003 02:43:03 PM
Good shot, very clear, but it's soo small. Good color, but it seems "dim" or muted, overcast day? 7 Swash
01/20/2003 08:49:25 PM
I'm not sure if you did it on purpose but the photo to me appears out of focus. Was that intentional or do you need some advice. It also appears grainy you may need to check your settings. Finally it is small if you reduced the photo do you know that you can have a photo as large as 620?
01/20/2003 02:28:45 PM
Nice and patriotic but really not a road sign and the picture is small. :(
01/20/2003 12:20:45 PM
too small....hardly a road sign...good luck :)
01/20/2003 12:12:42 PM
I like the way the flags drop down to the back.
01/19/2003 09:28:49 PM
Too small. The lighting and contrast also need some work. Good concept.. Cub
01/19/2003 08:25:09 PM
You should submit a picture a little closer to the allowed maximum, as that is much more effective in presentation. Looking at this picture: the colors seem a little washed out, and it might have been better composed if the mailboxes were on the right side of the picture, and part of the road on the left...anything that didn't have the mailboxes smack dab in the middle.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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