"School's Out" - A Work In Progress [pic]

I'm working on this one and would appreciate some suggestions. The original is a 2mb file, taken with the C-3000, so I've got some room to work for with cropping, etc.

This view is wide, to give the feeling of abandonment with more pasture around it. I've also looked at it cropped more tightly, taking out the big tree to the right and most of the sky, giving more emphasis to the structure itself.



The old school is nearby and I plan to take the UZI and the C-3000 back with a tripod and get some more; perhaps sharper pics, but timing for the sunlight and weather conditions will determine when.

Thanks,
****)

--
http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

This has got to be one of the Most Beautiful Photos I have ever seen posted here!!! This would make an Outstanding print to be put on the wall!! Congrats on this and be sure and shoot us some more Photos of this Unique Old School!! Thanks for Posting!!
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Frank

http://www.pbase.com/frankallen/galleries

C-2100UZ A-200

I like it as is........looks great to me. You certainly have some beautiful areas to take pictures in and around. Guess I need to go exploring around here.....
(Question.......did you get my email about the B300?)

RichardR said:

I'm working on this one and would appreciate some suggestions. The
original is a 2mb file, taken with the C-3000, so I've got some
room to work for with cropping, etc.

This view is wide, to give the feeling of abandonment with more
pasture around it. I've also looked at it cropped more tightly,
taking out the big tree to the right and most of the sky, giving
more emphasis to the structure itself.



The old school is nearby and I plan to take the UZI and the C-3000
back with a tripod and get some more; perhaps sharper pics, but
timing for the sunlight and weather conditions will determine when.

Thanks,
****)

--
http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

Click to expand...

--
Julie
http://www.pbase.com/julieae
C-2100UZ
PBase Supporter

I think I would crop it some so that the school is more prominent.
--
http://www.pbase.com/julivalley/galleries
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=19579
C-2100UZ, C-3040Z, A-28, B-3oo
3o4o
Juli

****! This is really wonderful! I LOVE the sutle colors, especially the 'worn' reds and soft golds. I see what you are talking about as far as removing the tree, but I don't know.... I sort of like the tree. I think maybe it gives the photo a bit of interest. I've written this before I've read the other responses to this photo, so as not to be influenced by what others' first impressions were. To me, it looks like the available lighting that day was perfect ~ great photo!

Best regards

Willa

RichardR said:

I'm working on this one and would appreciate some suggestions. The
original is a 2mb file, taken with the C-3000, so I've got some
room to work for with cropping, etc.

This view is wide, to give the feeling of abandonment with more
pasture around it. I've also looked at it cropped more tightly,
taking out the big tree to the right and most of the sky, giving
more emphasis to the structure itself.



The old school is nearby and I plan to take the UZI and the C-3000
back with a tripod and get some more; perhaps sharper pics, but
timing for the sunlight and weather conditions will determine when.

Thanks,
****)

--
http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

Click to expand...

RichardR said:

I'm working on this one and would appreciate some suggestions.

Click to expand...

Wow! this is a GREAT picture. There's an aura of kids-noise-happiness-all around this beautiful structure. The COLORS are perfect...if this were shot in spring or early summer probably would not be as effective.

Cropping...I love to crop. The hill behind the building is VERY dynamic...the sky is not (to me), so I might

crop at the tree line on top, perhaps also to the right of the building, letting the half a tree go for now. I think there's lots of ways you could take this. I just wish I did!



--
8
Veronica
C 720UZ pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/veronica

What a wonderful old structure...it's kind of sad that it's in such disrepair but it does make for a terrific photograph! I, too, think I'd crop more of the sky and the tree on the right, but would leave some of the 'playground' area behind the school so one can see where the children played at recess. (My imagination at work again!) I think the tree in the front, left, adds a lot. Maybe they had a swing there? The bell tower (or whatever it was called is wonderfully atilt. Love it!!

Can you see inside? Are any chalkboards or desks left to photograph? Anything at all?? This looks like such a fun place to visit...have a ball and show us more!

Judy

Been there and done that one too! Now your gona make me go back through over 10,000 pic to find that one.

Dang you....
PS. I hope you fix the water logged camera you called about.

RichardR said:

I'm working on this one and would appreciate some suggestions. The
original is a 2mb file, taken with the C-3000, so I've got some
room to work for with cropping, etc.

This view is wide, to give the feeling of abandonment with more
pasture around it. I've also looked at it cropped more tightly,
taking out the big tree to the right and most of the sky, giving
more emphasis to the structure itself.



The old school is nearby and I plan to take the UZI and the C-3000
back with a tripod and get some more; perhaps sharper pics, but
timing for the sunlight and weather conditions will determine when.

Thanks,
****)

--
http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

Click to expand...

--
Dan B. (k4lyp)
http://www.pbase.com/wdb (pbase supporter)
http://www.webdeals.net/k4lyp.htm

And I think this photo is very "Wyeth-ish". So fine!


Willa

laLady said:

What a wonderful old structure...it's kind of sad that it's in such
disrepair but it does make for a terrific photograph! I, too, think
I'd crop more of the sky and the tree on the right, but would leave
some of the 'playground' area behind the school so one can see
where the children played at recess. (My imagination at work
again!) I think the tree in the front, left, adds a lot. Maybe they
had a swing there? The bell tower (or whatever it was called is
wonderfully atilt. Love it!!

Can you see inside? Are any chalkboards or desks left to
photograph? Anything at all?? This looks like such a fun place to
visit...have a ball and show us more!

Judy

Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for the kind comments and suggestions. I've spent some time this evening trying different crops and it seems that either pretty tight or much like shown appeals best to me. I will probably save at least 3 versions. I must've trimmed it 20 ways but I keep coming back to that tree on the right and left it in. I did trim a bit of the foreground.

I love this old building and have passed it hundreds of time though last week was the first time I stopped and took some photos. Its off in a fenced field and I haven't been up close but plan to ask the farmer for permission to poke around.

Dan,

I would love to see the pics you have of the old school. The UZI dried out fine with no ill effects. The D-340's dunking at Metcalf bottoms Labor Day may have been terminal though. I've never gotten any camera wet before so 2 in 2 weeks is a bit much!

Here's the way it wound up:
http://www.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=284063

Again, I appreciate the remarks.
****

http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

Yes in wisconsin in about 1948 - 22 kids - 1 teacher - grades 1 -7 teachers name was mrs poquette - and you want to hear something funny - she is still teaching and now she lives about 2 miles from me here in phoenix and I called her to see if we could meet or go out to dinner with my wife and I - well she couldnt understand why I wanted to visit with her - so we didnt !
Oh by the way Richard - a GREAT picture !!!!
Bob

RichardR said:

I'm working on this one and would appreciate some suggestions. The
original is a 2mb file, taken with the C-3000, so I've got some
room to work for with cropping, etc.

This view is wide, to give the feeling of abandonment with more
pasture around it. I've also looked at it cropped more tightly,
taking out the big tree to the right and most of the sky, giving
more emphasis to the structure itself.



The old school is nearby and I plan to take the UZI and the C-3000
back with a tripod and get some more; perhaps sharper pics, but
timing for the sunlight and weather conditions will determine when.

Thanks,
****)

--
http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

Click to expand...

--
Bob WB7SBW
Olympus C2100
http://members.cox.net/robert.myers1/
http://members.cox.net/robert.myers2/

Beautiful picture! It kinda takes me back to a much more peaceful time.

Ron

Let's Roll
C-700
http://www.pbase.com/ront/root

I think the picture is great just the way it is. The tree adds a bit of interest on the right side and the hills are a wonderful backdrop for the schoolhouse. It is a very interesting structure to look at and wonder about days gone by!

You can't fix something that you got right the first time! I really enjoyed seeing this picture.

--
Regards
Gary

I sincerely appreciate the comments and suggestions. It is very difficult to objectively evaluate your own photos and this illustrates one of the important aspects of this forum.

Bob,

That must've been a great experience but I'll bet at the time it didn't seem so. I started school in an old school (larger than this one, though) with all 12 grades in the same building. My father attended the same school and there were still a couple of his teachers there. What a change in one or two generations!

Most of the suggested improvements involved the tree on the right and the sky, but most seemed to like it as is. Same on PhotoSig. These were the same issues I had in my original post. I've cropped this so many times and in so many ways but keep coming back to the original scene.

One of the "feeling" aspects is that the big tree provides the only shade for the school yard from the afternoon sun. I could imagine this would be the gathering spot for the kids in hot weather.

Again, I really appreciate the input.
****

http://www.pbase.com/richardr/c2100uz_gallery
http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?portfolioId=19073
C-2100UZ&C-3000Z&D-340R
PBase Supporter

Wow, she missed a great oportunity.