Old boiler: a redo

[DanK]

A few of you may remember that I posted a version of this about 6 months ago. I decided to do a very different edit after thinking about comments I received about another image with rusty surfaces. C&C of any kind welcome, of course, but I am particularly curious whether people think this is overprocessed.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, not overprocessed at all.

[Mike Buckley]

Not at all overly processed. I don't remember seeing this image (but I have a bad memory).

This is the kind of scene that it's so often difficult to present a difficult composition. However, you've done such an excellent job that you have made the task seem easy. I also love the combination of warm and cool colors, as they contribute so nicely to the effective composition.

[Manfred M]

This works nicely Dan - every old boiler I've ever seen had a nice patina of rust, so no, I would not say it looks overprocessed at all. The rust colour is probably a bit lighter than the ones I remember (more of a dark red), but that's a detail.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dan,

No, it doesn't look over processed, to echo the other replies and answer your question.

It has obviously had some skilful processing applied, but for the most part, this has been innocuously completed.

There's one place I noticed an apparent issue; on the left hand side, there's a horizontal pipe that changes its contrast after passing behind a vertical (and sloping) pipe, this appears to be more change than is strictly believable due to lighting conditions alone.

I think you've done a very good job on this, I recall the earlier picture and thinking (at that time); 'wow, that's gonna be almost impossible to separate the subject from the background detritus', but you have managed it - I much prefer this version.

I have now found your other thread: Rusting old machinery (hope you don't mind me providing a link)

Since writing the above, I have now flicked back and forth between the two images and this crop does much to improve the viewer's attention on the steam generator/boiler, but I also note the improved colours and contrast.

The issue I mentioned above about that pipe also seems to be present in the first version, so I may be incorrect about the cause, although I still think it could b addressed in PP to some (admittedly small) benefit.

Cheers, Dave

[DanK]

Thanks, all. Dave, I didn't do any PP to the pipe in question. Except for some dodging and burning, all of my editing was global. However, I did a lot to increase tonal contrast, which probably made what you are seeing more noticeable.

[Kaye Leggett]

I agree with the others - not overly processed at all. My only addition is did you consider a vignette at all - this would perhaps bring more focus to the older boiler and less to the floor and wall which are quite bright (at least on my screen)

[Wavelength]

Rust that arrests attention!!!! very nice

[bnnrcn]

It is very nicely processed and I like the image very much

[IzzieK]

Not overprocessed at all...to me it looks so natural. I like it.

[DanK]

Thanks, all. I put it on my site.