This is some detail from an old corral out in the Mojave desert. Those must be some tough cows to survive and find something to eat out there.
I was drawn to the detail and the shadow interplay of the little scene.
Chamonix 4x5
Fujinon 240mm
Delta 100 B&W film
Posted by Paul Duval on January 12, 2010 at 12:15 AM
Harley,
For some reason this is not completely working for me. I'm not sure exactly why, I like portions of it like the central weathered post and some of the shadow patterns from the wires, but maybe it's got to many interest points in it, so it's a little busy? Maybe a vertical comp on the left side the right side is pretty much the same all the way out to the edge. Or maybe it just needs more contrast in the wooden slats. I'm sorry I'm all over the place.
Paul
Posted by Steve Sieren on January 12, 2010 at 2:43 AM
I've read a few chapter of Mary Austin's "A Land of Little Rain" She mentions them just dying but taking days to do it. Laying down and not getting up again. I could only guess they eat cresote bush. Definitely does not seem like the place for a cow.
Harley,
What I think works about this image is the inter-play between the shadow lines and the horizontal metal bars. I find the one vertical metal bar on the right side of the frame to be distracting. I like the B&W, it give the composition a great texture. One would have to wonder about anybody who wold really try to raise cattle out in the Mojave. Best Regards.
Posted by Lon Overacker on January 12, 2010 at 5:07 PM
Harley,
I like this and I'm thinking along the same lines as Michael. I like the play of lines, light and shadow. The vertical contrast between the weathered post and the vertical iron bar is an interesting juxtaposition. Add in all the horizontal and diagonal lines and shadows and I think this pretty engaging.
Honestly though, I feel no reference to cows or corrals... just graphics, light and shadow.
I think this is really cool. It harkens back to some of the images from the Group F64 days. I agree with Michael and Lon regarding the the metal bar on the right. I think the composition is stronger with it cropped out. This is one of those images that could be interpreted in many diffreent ways in terms of contrast.
Discussion
7 repliesI was drawn to the detail and the shadow interplay of the little scene.
Chamonix 4x5
Fujinon 240mm
Delta 100 B&W film
For some reason this is not completely working for me. I'm not sure exactly why, I like portions of it like the central weathered post and some of the shadow patterns from the wires, but maybe it's got to many interest points in it, so it's a little busy? Maybe a vertical comp on the left side the right side is pretty much the same all the way out to the edge. Or maybe it just needs more contrast in the wooden slats. I'm sorry I'm all over the place.
Paul
That tiny wire must be the coral's weakest link.
What I think works about this image is the inter-play between the shadow lines and the horizontal metal bars. I find the one vertical metal bar on the right side of the frame to be distracting. I like the B&W, it give the composition a great texture. One would have to wonder about anybody who wold really try to raise cattle out in the Mojave. Best Regards.
I like this and I'm thinking along the same lines as Michael. I like the play of lines, light and shadow. The vertical contrast between the weathered post and the vertical iron bar is an interesting juxtaposition. Add in all the horizontal and diagonal lines and shadows and I think this pretty engaging.
Honestly though, I feel no reference to cows or corrals... just graphics, light and shadow.
Lon
I think this is really cool. It harkens back to some of the images from the Group F64 days. I agree with Michael and Lon regarding the the metal bar on the right. I think the composition is stronger with it cropped out. This is one of those images that could be interpreted in many diffreent ways in terms of contrast.
Well seen!
--P