The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
During a week in October this year I visited 15 abonded castles and other buildings in the South-West of Poland (Lower Schlesia). One of the buildings was this abonded hospital in Nowa Ruda.
All equipment and everything else of value had been removed, but there where still a lot of photo opportunities.
Specific Feedback
Any comments are welcome!
For me there are two important aspects of the image that are somewhat contradictory when it comes to the post-processing of the brightness: The pastel colors (higher brightness) and the mystery of the place (lower brightness). In your opinion, have I made the correct choice?
Technical Details
Olympus OM-1 camera with the 7-14 f/2.8 lens at 7 mm (14 mm equiv.). 1/15 sec., f/9, ISO 200. Tripod and remote release.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
My take on this is that the pastels and brightness adds to the feeling that this used to be a positive place, but is now beyond its usefulness to people. I can imagine that some of the builders were energized to provide a place of healing for people, but now it’s gone, most probably within the lifetimes of those very same individuals. So many of the abandoned building imagery is dark and colorless so that you can hardly imagine human activity being welcomed in the space, but not so here. I hope that some folks were helped here and went on to enrich the lives of others. I like the repeated open doors and the way you handled the light both in post and in the field. I can’t wait to see the castle pics, too!
This is an interesting image, Ola. It presents two contradictory moods. One of the decrepitude of the building lending itself to a very somber mood and yet it’s filled with light and brightness which tends to create a cheerful, optimistic mood. Normally we’ll see ruined/abandoned structures photographed in a somber light, but this lighting puts a whole different twist on it which fits with the classic view of this time of year as the season of hope.
Your image is not everyone’s cup of tea, however, I can very much relate to it. Years ago, I was in such place and ran into similar conditions. Such locales while bringing thoughts of sadness also provide a window into yesterday . I love your composition of light , color, and decay. Well done.
This has a special kind of attraction for me, Ola, and the lighting enhances it. I love the textures of peeling paint and crumbling masonry here. And the colors are also beautiful. Did you by any chance visit the town of Kowary, or the castle at Klodzko? We loved those places when we went there a few years ago.
Hi Ola,
What a fantastic find. You do so wonderfully shooting it. Everything about the scene (the open doors, the tile in the room in the middle right) and the “color-block” effect of the doors and window section make this both abstract and very realistic almost naturalistic (in the literary sense).
I can imagine spending hours in the hallway alone, peeling paint abstracts, color combinations, icm.
For me, the attempt at joy and custom colors contrasts with the state of disrepair, neglect, perhaps inadequate or outdated architecture which led to abandoning the institution that once tried to do good.
It’s both abstract and a story. What’s not to love!?
ML
Kristen and Dennis, thanks for providing your take on the image. When taking images I am myself still to much into to composition-wise try to make compelling images and think to little about to convey a story.
Gary, thanks for sharing your image, it is a great one with its colors, light and deterioration.
Mike, we did not visit Kowary or Klodzko. But I now checked them out at internet, they seem to be great places! I will probably make a new abonded castles in Poland tour in October this year, maybe these places could be included.
Marylynne, yes it is just so fun to photograph deteriorated buildings and this was an amazing place!
