The Hook

[abhi]

Canon Digital Rebel, Canon 50 f1.8 @ f/5.6 for 1/80s @ ISO 100.

C&C please. Thanks for viewing.

[Donald]

You've brought out the texture on the hook wonderfully well and it is well lit.

I wonder, however, if the hook, given it is the primary subject, occupies too small a proportion of the overall frame? It is quite a small part of the whole picture. I don't know what capacity you had to get in much closer, or whether you could do a tighter crop.

[abhi]

You've brought out the texture on the hook wonderfully well and it is well lit.

I wonder, however, if the hook, given it is the primary subject, occupies too small a proportion of the overall frame? It is quite a small part of the whole picture. I don't know what capacity you had to get in much closer, or whether you could do a tighter crop.

Thanks, Donald. I probably can not get much closer than this, however a crop is a possible. But, for some reason unknown even to me, I wanted to have the entire shadow of the hook within the frame. What are your thoughts regarding some dodge and burn to make the shadow of the hook darker?
Here are a couple of quick edits:

#1 A 2x3 crop (almost) from the original, with darker shadow


and a closer crop:

[Donald]

What are your thoughts regarding some dodge and burn to make the shadow of the hook darker?

I think both of these are much more effective images. On D & B, I think you are right that it can help. But I think the important point is not to go too far and have it look artificial. I think D & B needs to be applied with a degree of subtlety. And when it is is it can make a huge difference to images.

[abhi]

I think both of these are much more effective images. On D & B, I think you are right that it can help. But I think the important point is not to go too far and have it look artificial. I think D & B needs to be applied with a degree of subtlety. And when it is is it can make a huge difference to images.

Thanks, Donald. I have burned the shadow a little (-.5 EV, -20 brightness) for both of these. Still working on the colour version, which was what I had in mind when I took the shot. The background is lush green soft moss growing on the wall, and I thought that it would provide a nice soft contrast to the rusty old iron hook. But, I am having some trouble with pp there. I will probably be posting that in the pp forums soon.