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An abandoned Bowls Club in Brisbane.

I decided to play with desaturation (rather than BW conversion). My first attempt. I'm not really that sure, so would appreciate some C+C. Be harsh. I don't mind! This is a style I want to work on. I think my composition could have been better, but I'm not sure how. I want that abandoned look.

2nd one is really working for me. Did you do any desaturation on this?

Alex

Alex,

Yes both shots were desaturated, + uppped in constrast and brightness, and had some level chopping.

I'm no good at critique so I'll just ramble instead

#1, Not much you could do about it or another angle or what-ever but the trees behind the centre/buildings seem to make the old centre buildings less catching to the eye, I go to the run down shade things, they work well, wonder how it'd be though, if you concentrated on just the one shade thingy? The image just seems busy and I think I wander around... Maybe a simpler image with less objects sort of thing...

Be tempted to select the sky and play with levels and curves etc and get more contrast in the sky textures too...

#2, The old sign really grabs my eye and the lines draw me into the picture, I think the trees at the end of the lines my eyes are following though seems to break the atmosphere or change the feel...

Sometimes you can help focus the viewer on what you want them to using a soft vignette, for an old look maybe with some grain?

Just rambling

Nice shots Dion, but the desat doesn't really work for me...
I find #1 to be better from a composition point of view...

Mudder,

Yes you are right. I was struggling with composition, and I know that suburbia in the distance of #2 spoils it. #1 it was hard to isolate a shade, but that is what I wanted to try and do. I was trying to get a bit of the overgrown turf into the shot too ... too much I think.

Leek,

Do you think B+W might work better for that "abandoned" look?

DionM wrote:Leek, Do you think B+W might work better for that "abandoned" look?

yep... B&W / Sepia might work better, but increased saturation might work as well...

Dion, I like number 2 more than 1 but both are good, and I don't mind the partially desaturated look at all. I think it adds to the desolate feel very nicely.

Maybe worth a re-shoot when the weather is bleak, dark skies etc.

Dion for what it is worth I think that for what you are trying to achieve a simple uncluttered composition would be best. Both of these appear to be too busy to achieve the forlorn look.

Dion,
I like the desaturation treatment you've given these shots - it somehow adds to the overall feeling of neglect and "oldness" (is that a word )

Frank

Pity yuu didn't get picks when they were still looking after one green but had let the other one go, it was such a striking contrast.