Old wagon on the Oregon Trail

[Justin McDonald]

let me have it.

[MattUK]

May I be honest?

I don't get 'old wagon on the Oregon trail', I get 'bits of wood hidden in the grass'. I mean no offence, and hope a frank assessment is what you're after. Perhaps if the viewpoint were higher up, there would be more to recognize?

[Justin McDonald]

Originally Posted by MattUK

May I be honest?

I don't get 'old wagon on the Oregon trail', I get 'bits of wood hidden in the grass'. I mean no offence, and hope a frank assessment is what you're after. Perhaps if the viewpoint were higher up, there would be more to recognize?

I am not a big fan of beating around the bush and saying a bunch of other stuff to make me fill good about a shot, I can't get better if people are afraid to tell it like it is, and it takes some much longer to get to the real point, so I really appreciate just getting to the point and not blowing a bunch of smoke up my kilt.

[KeithT]

As you are no fan of beating around the bush I will give you my opinion as clear as day. What I expected from the description was an old covered wagon with torn canvas covering blowing wildly in the wind, and some scrub weed growing around its rusty iron wheels — something that cried out the anguish and pain that those early travellers experienced. Perhaps even some lovely old rustic timber, bleached by years of sun and rain would have been something to behold. What did I get? Some dry scrub weed, yes, but just a bit of rusty iron poking through that could have been the remnants of an old bedstead for all I know. The composition says nothing to me of wagons and the Oregon Trail. In fact the whole image is a total waste of time and effort — taking it, processing it, and putting it up for critique. There we are and I hope you don't take offence at my honesty.

[ABERS]

Originally Posted by KeithT

In fact the whole image is a total waste of time and effort — taking it, processing it, and putting it up for critique. There we are and I hope you don't take offence at my honesty.

Feeling better now Keith? How often have you wanted to say something like that in the past?

[KeithT]

Many many times, Min. But to be honest, I'm not really that rude a person. It's just that when invited to be so these days I just can't resist it. But, yes, oddly enough I quite enjoyed it...

[donoreo]

If I ignore the subject line, I think it is a fine photo. I was expecting something like Kieth said. I think it is the expectation that is letting us down. It does have a great sky. The subject is just a bit weak, and as I said, made worse by us expecting something else.

[littlebro]

Nothing wrong with that Keith, I mean Justin did say " let me have it ", must agree my thoughts were like yours cant tell what it is. Dont get upset though Justin, keep 'em coming.

[Justin McDonald]

Thank you all, seriously, I have learned a huge lesson, (Be careful with naming photos.) I was wondering if the subject was a little weak, but having family look at my stuff is pretty pointless if I want to learn anything. I have only owned a camera for about 3 years now so I have sooooo much to learn.

Keith, Thank you, and everyone else thank you. I really do prefer it that way, I know I am good, but I also know that I don't know jack and I want to be great, so there is no room for getting hurt feelings and as Littlebro said I asked for it.

[KeithT]

Justin, we can be an ascerbic bunch of old farts here at times, and we have all taken crap photos. I still do! Often, I wonder why the hell I took a particular photo. Many times, even after thirty three years of pressing the shutter, I come up with stuff that my 11 year old granddaughter could have done much better. The secret of greatness is being able to accept your faults graciously, and I think you have done that with humility and great style.

As for any subject you tackle, spend a bit of time taking shots from various angles. In other words, explore the possibilities. I don't know one photographer who doesn't critique his or her own work much harsher than most of us here would do, so if you have learnt one lesson at all, then it has been to judge your own work quite harshly for yourself. I think you will make a fine photographer one day...