Very nice close up but noise is just too much for my taste...i think you over did it (imho)!
I all so think that you should use a higher f number.That way you would have a "wider" in focus "clear" surface on the pen!
Over all, personally i "got" the "old" feeling that you wanted to impress & i really like this photo!
Sorry if i am "hard" on you author.
Good luck!

Karaflazz, I agree with you.........author, this has the makings of a great shot, but it has been over done. The noise is just too much for this type of close up shot......a good crisp shot of the face of the nib would have been much better.

Ok guys, thank you very much for your constructive criticism of course. I have taken note of your tips and of course will use them in the future. I thought that the noise, would just add a stronger sort of effect to the old age image, but if you think that it is overdone...

Like the contrast and noise -- quite effective image

I understand why people are saying that there is too much noise and from a photographers aspect that may be true but, my friend saw this picture just now and loved it because of the "graininess".

I think as photographers we need to evaluate our view of "what is correct" in photography. Is it what we as photographers view as correct or what the "uneducated" public thinks looks nice?

locksmagic, I guess that everyone has their own taste, and we can not really criticise them for doing so. Some people won't like this image, because it is too noisy and seems "incorrect", while others may find it quite artistic.

It is up to personal preference, and at the end of the day, thats why art is so beautiful - everybody likes different things.

I like the noise for the subject. It fits the old style pen. This would definately not work on a modern pen tip.

I like the noise in this. It adds to the aged look of the shot.... and I usually dislike noisy shots. Is that a mark on the paper just above the pen nib or do you have dust on your sensor?

I doubt that it was dust on sensor, because it doesn't show up with such small apertures. However I think that it could be possible a mark on the lens, or a bit of ink on the paper.

Thanks for your comment!

GL