Real Nature

Critiques [Translate]

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• dbessinger (33)
• [2006-07-05 0:30]

Hello Zack,

Nice shot. I think it does a fine job of juxtaposing man's refuse with nature, and it says a couple of things to me about that theme. Also, it's just a good photograph.

As far as the theme, it gets across your feeling about litter spoiling beautiful land. The image also calls to (my) mind another theme: Nature's slow but inevitable triumph. The elements are rusting the metal in the wheel, and eventually the iron oxide will deteriorate completely and become part of the soil. The sun and weather have dried and cracked the rubber of the tire. Finally, the little, green plants are growing around and over the trash. All these combine to suggest Nature's reclamation of what we spoil.

Of course, the reason that I looked at the image and thought about it is the strong graphic presentation. You have excellent range of values - nothing weak there. The blacks at the top and bottom contrast well with the whites of the tire face. Green plants, the rust, and various greys and browns fill out the value range.

Colors are also good here. I particularly like the green leaves and orange rust - complimentary colors there, and they look great. The way the browns and greys of the tire face "splotch" together remind me of a watercolor.

Your composition is solid as well. Good decision to include only half the tire. You have about half nature and half trash, and I like the way the tire "points" into the plants. For me, it emphasizes the theme of our bad habits encroaching upon nature.

Technically, this is quite nice. Good, sharp focus on the tire in the foreground. I suppose one could argue for a deeper depth of field to capture the detail in the mid- and background elements, but the slight blurring in the back are OK with me. It seems to put the tire "in my face." Good exposure, too, resulting in the nice, rich colors and good value range that I mentioned before.

Nicely conceived and executed photograph that conveys your theme very well - I didn't need your note to understand why you took the photo. So, good work!

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• adam_k (596)
• [2006-07-05 3:39]

It's quite an interesting picture I think...

The title might seem sarcastic but to some extent it does say the truth... as this tyre was made by a man from natural resources (eg. dissolved bodies of our ancestors - dinosaurs :) and mankind is part of nature...

But don't worry too much: nature is much stronger that it might seem and such behaviour although stupid will not threaten it in long term...

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• Davidwh (3604)
• [2006-07-10 14:00]

Hi Zack,
It is indeed a shame to come across scenes of such blazen disrespect for nature.Something also all too common in some of the nature reserves in israel.I like the perspective and angle you have chosen in this one...giving the beholder a different view.The colours and softened focus are very good.TFS.
Regards, David