* Wednesday C&C "No Theme" Thread #810 / Revived #030 on 2023 10 25 *

Would like some feedback about the believability of this image - does this look fake? Feel faked?

Flowers that have begun to deteriorate are hard to ignore. The symbolism is all too apparent. When the bloom is as rich and lush as this example, the messages are all the stronger. You got it at the point of maximum impact. The flower is still erect and most of the petal shape survives. The inevitable decay has begun and a viewer feels the full significance. behind the rose, the fresh green heightens the drama.

My answer is, unless there is a large bushfire or dust cloud, to colour the sky red like that, it appears like it might be a scene from a sci-fi film on a planet in another solar system. If it is real it would be good to know the circumstances - atmospheric effects?

Taken on the last full moon. Hand held, full zoom, low ss... Lots of atmospheric effects, a little bit of pp to bring up the trees.

I like it.
The only comment that I would move the Moon from the center. As for the believeabilty, we are not in forensic photography, so for me - I either like an image like this or not.

That's one on the edge!
Your usual imagination and quality of execution shine through.
But what I really love here, is the almost B&W quality, with the bright red glossy ball (and its reflection) perfect focal points and contrast.

That's cool stuff.
Intrepid Men and their Flying Machines : always a winner for kids (and adults) with vivid imagination.
I like the story and the images, but I am always sad that wonderful machines like these are confined to a small (always too small) space in a museum.
It needs to be seen on an airstrip to realize the magnitude of what is on display.

Great composition with wonderful timing: you waited for just the right moment.
The road tipping over the horizon and leading to a totally natural landscape in the far distance (DOF tells us it IS FAR) is always a winner.
Add traffic signs for almost comic relief and a man walking there, as a symbol of human determination, and the picture is complete.

That timeline has the quality of what we see in Indiana Jones movies.
I can just imagine the old world map on parchment, with a dotted line appearing step by step and slowly making its way from England over Europe, The Middle East, Asia, India and the Far East.

It was approximately between 5 & 7pm in goldenish hour sun. The red is simply slider adjustment.

The image is not a composition, it's an actual photo.

Something like this? I think I would need to tone down how far I pushed the colors, it doesn't look as good blown up.

Original Image in jpg

The color of the moon looks fake to me. While I don't necessarily "believe" the red sky, I very much like the look overall, especially with the curved tangle of bare branches.

Just read your comments to @Bryan and @Sagittarius. Any interest in desaturating the moon a bit?

Perplexing!! .. That split image of the city is fascinating but being so small that I have enlarge the view to see it well makes me wonder if it belongs and enhances the story here .... But it is an interesting idea and that slit view appears to show a more interesting part of the city ... for me ..

WhyNot

I like this original version while the alternates suggested are interesting I find them a bit too clean and devoid of the modern world too much ... and as composed the walker is a "found" subject and I always like that idea ...

WhyNot

Drive By

AND

Thank you Chris ....

Thank you .....

WhyNot

David, if I include this kind of "stuff" in a composition, it's because I've intentionally made it part of the composition (or story, if you will). Unlike if I were traveling and facing one-of-kind scenes or iconic structures, I usually have options. So, from a viewer's pov, it often comes down to like/dislike, and I've found quite a few people dislike 😀 Many thanks for your time.

Roel, your reference to the traffic signs as "comic relief" tickled me. At your peril, make a left turn only!

Thanks Johannes. As you pointed out, your rework is now a totally different image. I mentioned my own extreme new version was boring. It's always interesting to experience the levels of distaste for telephone poles and wires. MinnieV found the tiniest remnant of one in the far background of one of my photos and recommended it be scrubbed out 😀

Thanks! "Found" subjects have been my joy for years now, especially when I was roaming around the countryside for 4 - 6 hours at a time, several times per week. I call them "stumble-upon" and they often were about wildlife or changing weather (fog lifting, rainbows, isolated rainstorms). As I mentioned to David, this particular photo was composed by choice to include the stuff. I'm often attracted to the contrasts here of semi-urban vs. empty of life butting right up against each other, and the non-irrigated hillsides of our semi-arid climate vs. the lush green of the commercial orchards in areas where there is no neutral zone, just one extreme to the other side by side.