The heat of the day

[Makonde]

OK, I know many here go for pics of birds, bugs, churches, cars, steam engines and classic scenery but I like trying to get a message across in a photo so what do you think of this one? Trying to convey the heat of a hot day in our village on the edge of the Metropolitan area.

And yes, it is angled deliberately to add to the 'around the corner' dynamic of the curve of the street and the parked cars, before anyone beefs about the horizon LOL!

In the heat of the day:

[ringneck]

Re: The heat of the day

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED...IT DOES LOOK HOT AND BENDY.

Horizon...well the post looks O.K.


Keith

[stevednp3]

Re: The heat of the day

Good idea for a shot, I would expect it would make a good stock photo on istockphoto or something, but I wouldnt have included the post in the framing

[Zuiko]

Re: The heat of the day

Hi Keith, it works, it's different and I like it. I agree that the slight tilt enhances the dynamic curve of the bend and that was an inspired decision. Not sure about the lamp post, it seem to truncate the image, but there wasn't much you could have done about that and I think the image is strong enough to disregard this. I like the composition even better if it is cropped almost to a square, just below the last door mirror on the left. I think you've nailed a potentially difficult exposure, maintaining a good dynamic range between the highlights and harsh, high contrast shadows. I can almost feel the stifling heat reflected from the light coloured pavement and shudder at the thought of getting into one of those cars. Makes me want to scuttle across the road to the relative cool of the shade. Phew!

[Makonde]

Re: The heat of the day

Thanks for the comments. Yes, there wasn't much I could do about the lamp-post but personally I think it adds a bit of structure particularly when taken into consideration with the leaves. Nobody has mentioned those, yet, but they were part of the reason for that viewpoint - a few green leaves offering the idea of beleaguered 'shade'.

I think you may be right about squaring up the crop somewhat - though the first curve in the pavement is matched by that second one further along.

Thanks again for looking and commenting.

[sapper]

Re: The heat of the day

I do like this for some reason. Why it should give the impression of the heat of the day i don't know, maybe because that was the title?
I would have liked to see it posted smaller so I can see it all without scrolling down though.

[Makonde]

Re: The heat of the day

The 'heat' is conveyed by the short shadows, the shimmery light and the bleak pavement with no life on it (those parts were intentional), accentuated by the cooler shade in the background and the tantalising green leaves overhead (those were accidental and noticed afterwards) At least, that was the idea!

The light is essential, I think, and with the right exposure it results from a simple tweak in RAW processing that, from general observation, we rarely do.

Thanks again for the encouraging comments and here it is to fit on other screens: