PHOTO: Grimy Road Salty Car

GRIMY ROAD SALT CAR


Looking for feedback on this one. Rejected...no resubmit - with the standard lighting rejection(s) template - nothing specific highlighted. My question is whether there is a different/better way (I know, maybe there actually isn't a way... ) to tell this "story". I understand some won't see anything worth anything here.


But for anyone who lives in a heavy snow region - where constant road salt applications during winter months steadily suck the life and value out of your car - I figured this might have some potential value. In the U.S. one always hears stories about "Florida cars" (that have never seen the dreaded winter ravages that northern cars see)...I'm wondering if maybe I got a Florida inspector this time?


Whatever. I'm not complaining or ranting and have no problem moving on to something else if necessary. But while I can't argue this is art or anything close - and while I agree a bland green car covered in dried, dusty road salt is pretty flat and dull (my assumption as the main rejection reason?) - this is how cars actually look in the winter around here where I live.


Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

It actually does look a tiny bit "flat and dull" to me, particularly as it looks as if it was taken in quite hard Winter sunshine, which may also have gone toward the rejection.


The answer may be to move to Florida.

I'd say it's as much a composition thing as lighting. Too many things competing.

What is your main point of interest, the back of the mirror or the frost pattern down the side of the car?

Great idea Dave - I shoulda thought of moving and I'd be done with all this winter crap! Good point on the winter sun.


Point of interest...uh...both...I guess...Roger. I was trying to "focus" on (trying to create too big a story out of not much I guess) the grimy salt that is all over the door and the mirror. That you called it frost (pattern) reinforces the blah of the shot - and I say that in sincere gratitude.


Thanks guys. Moving on.

Getty would have us believe they are about concepts, Ted. At iStock we tried to learn to provide people with what they want.

Composition is key, and conflicting areas of interest weaken the composition. Far more satisfying to have an abstract photo with a pleasing balance to it.

Ted, IMO I would try to shoot this one with car standing on the road at ground level, half of the wheel showing, I also would shoot it after driving in the slur then parked the car wait till it dries a little and throw some rock salt under the wheel all done under overcast conditions.

I was going to say that if you could get a more angled shot with some road covered with salt behind, all the better. if you could get a gritting lorry in shot so much better again. You might get away with a comped shot if the gritting lorry etc was slightly OOF in the background.

Good ideas there - all. I'll see what I can do. I'm certain I'll have plenty of additional opportunity to play with road salt, etc. in the coming couple of months.

Ted, I think you could add some human interest - e.g. hand cleaning the salt - give an additional concept of winter maintenance - which is only implied by a salty car?


Regards

Sounds like work Kieran, but great idea nonetheless.