Capturing character in a rough old axe

[Buddy Thomason]

The first problem one faces with something like this is its size - 29 1/4 in. Hard to keep it all in the frame without either increasing distance (lose detail) or distort perspective via foreshortening. Just pick your compromise and let the insets establish proper perspective.
Next, try to find what's good about it. Show what's important to the targeted viewer. Look for attractive angles or ones that reveal decades of wear. Mix them all together "in a pleasing arrangement." In the end, if the voodoo worked, that line between reality and a picture of reality vanishes. Unless that's not your thing... whatever.

#1

#2

#3

#4

[David Darom]

Great pictures, Buddy, although #4 looks a little too surrealistic
with three axes floating in thin air.....

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

[Jim Cooper]

Hi Buddy,

I admire your work here. I know how hard it is to set up and shoot items longer than knives. (I usually do not have the space on my worktable, so it's a complete mixup.)

Every shot took thought and planning.

#1 good work, but I'm glad you continued. Not too much fresh information.

#3 is a great and simple shot. It includes the longtime standard of the rule of threes (The subject is off on a far third of the canvas)

#4 DDD called it correctly. If there was less background and more axe I'd probably like it more. To me, the older artifacts look out-of-place in a digital ethereal backdrop.

#2 Is SO far and away your best shot and covers more areas of interest. I am in awe of this one. Closeups of the craggy missed strike handle and the wedge construction add to the frame. The vignette around the core image is superb.

The added artifacts and props are a perfect example of how more IS more, in this case. Bravo!

Thanks for sharing.

Coop

Great shots Buddy. #3 is my overall fave - that would look ever so cool hanging on the wall of my office. #2 is a close second.

Roger

[Kevin Jones]

Wow! #2 is not only a beautiful and interesting image, but it's sooo... real that it makes me want to reach into the photo grab it, and cut a tree down. I bet that dog will hunt.

[Buddy Thomason]

Thanks!
I needed shots for different applications.
#1 is a 'draft' - my partially successful attempt, the evaluation of which resulted in #2 - a double page spread in 8.5X11 coffee-table book style.
#3 is an "alternative" image to serve either as a smaller supporting image in a series behind #2, or stretched out over a full page with reduced opacity to form a graphic backdrop to text etc.
#4 is a mixture of 2&3 sort of - it is a double page spread with lots of built-in space for text and/or other bookish stuff. I agree though, #2 gives the most back to the viewer. Thanks for taking time to look and comment.