steve garza
Well-known
Wayne...
Wayne...
Nice abstraction. The sand's patterns make for an interesting view and I wish the upper third of the image also showed more definition in the sand. The light in this image is nice. You picked a good time of day for this.
Wayne...
venchka said:
Nice abstraction. The sand's patterns make for an interesting view and I wish the upper third of the image also showed more definition in the sand. The light in this image is nice. You picked a good time of day for this.
jonasv
has no mustache
foolproof hasn't posted his yet but I'll have a go at commenting the other ones.
Steve, love the picture. nice and contrasty and all three faces have wonderful expressions. There's a lot of small touches that really hold this picture together... From the people eating to the reflection of the photographer and the buildings behind him with the big signs, and back to the glass with "salads", "sandwiches" etc, and on to what's behind the glass, the waiter and small hints of the interior and back to the man and the two children eating... Personally I might have framed/cropped a little tighter. I like the centered composition in this instance, but I think it could have done with a little less space to the sides. Overall a succesfull picture!
rncamero; a fun shot as far as content is concerned but I'm not a big fan of the technical (or artistical, if you prefer) aspect. The large DOF with the background fully sharp, the cut-off feet, the lack of contrast (could be monitor calibration differences), the overall cluttered appearance. Perhaps getting in closer with a more shallow DOF would help, focussing on just one or two family members and the horse? I think you are trying to get in too much, and I understand why, you want to show the whole family but given the circumstances I think it's just very, very hard to get a good shot like that.
Wayne, calm and soothing; I like that. On my monitor it is very light and lacks some contrast... I suppose that's a combination of personal preference and more-over monitor calibration (for example in my own image, there's a lot of dark areas as you say, but on my monitor I can see detail in almost all of them). I like the composition. The light is beautiful, and so is the texture in the sand. What I like most of all... the ability to see beauty in the simplest things and bring this across to the viewer of the picture. Thanks for sharing.
Steve, love the picture. nice and contrasty and all three faces have wonderful expressions. There's a lot of small touches that really hold this picture together... From the people eating to the reflection of the photographer and the buildings behind him with the big signs, and back to the glass with "salads", "sandwiches" etc, and on to what's behind the glass, the waiter and small hints of the interior and back to the man and the two children eating... Personally I might have framed/cropped a little tighter. I like the centered composition in this instance, but I think it could have done with a little less space to the sides. Overall a succesfull picture!
rncamero; a fun shot as far as content is concerned but I'm not a big fan of the technical (or artistical, if you prefer) aspect. The large DOF with the background fully sharp, the cut-off feet, the lack of contrast (could be monitor calibration differences), the overall cluttered appearance. Perhaps getting in closer with a more shallow DOF would help, focussing on just one or two family members and the horse? I think you are trying to get in too much, and I understand why, you want to show the whole family but given the circumstances I think it's just very, very hard to get a good shot like that.
Wayne, calm and soothing; I like that. On my monitor it is very light and lacks some contrast... I suppose that's a combination of personal preference and more-over monitor calibration (for example in my own image, there's a lot of dark areas as you say, but on my monitor I can see detail in almost all of them). I like the composition. The light is beautiful, and so is the texture in the sand. What I like most of all... the ability to see beauty in the simplest things and bring this across to the viewer of the picture. Thanks for sharing.
jonasv
has no mustache
steve garza said:
Steve, thank you. Both guys are homeless who live in the sewers or under the railway bridge in Romania. During the day they come to the railway station to beg, steal, fight or prostitute themselves. This photograph was taken a few hundred meters away from the railway station. What happened exactly? I can't quite remember, I spend four days with these kids and things were happening all the time; theft, fight, rape, prostitution, ... I think when I took this picture nothing particular happened actually, they just go crazy at small things sometimes. Mostly because they're high on glue all day.
I've spend quite a bit of time pondering this comment of yours: "The absence of the pole and car would have added a more timeless component to the image". Initially I disagreed and thought these things actually added to the picture. Thinking it over I've come to the conclusion we're both right. Yes, you have a point, it would have made the picture more timeless - but, that's not what I wanted. This picture was taken as part of a documentary series on the homeless kids in Romania; and showing some context is important to me. So while I agree leaving these things out would have made the picture more timeless, I think you might agree with me that if you saw the whole series and the accompagnying text (neither finished yet) "timeless" is not the goal: it has to be an accurate, contextualised photojournalistic piece that not only shows who and what; but also attempts to document the when, where and even why (not visible when seeing this photograph separately, of course, but perhaps in the complete documentary).
Quite a long-winded reply, sorry for ranting. Mostly these are thoughts for afterwards anyway; I do not claim to have considered all these things at the moment I pressed the shutter. Everything was moving really fast, I had to watch my back for other kids wanting to either hug me, fight me or steal my bag depending on what mood they were in at that moment. (Don't wanna be close to them when they run out of glue).
But thanks, thanks for the food for thought.
foolproof
Established
foolproof
Established
steve - nice image, embedded with good feelings. the reflections dont distract too much from the subject which is nice. i like the way the text on the window is beside each person, giving each a funny name !
jvx - one of the most powerful images ive seen in a long time! leave it just the way it is, shadows and all - its perfect. interested in your mentioning of a series, and also your reasons for going to romania ie: college/work/purely personal
rncamero - doesnt really do much for me, maybe because i like a bit more of a kick in the tones of pictures. maybe if it was shot vertically, and a bit closer it might be stronger, as theres too much space on the right side.
wayne - nice slightly abstract image. a bit too flat for my taste, but again with the monitor calibration issue maybe. im sure this image has a lot of personal memories surrounding it, and maybe it might work well in a short series.
jvx - one of the most powerful images ive seen in a long time! leave it just the way it is, shadows and all - its perfect. interested in your mentioning of a series, and also your reasons for going to romania ie: college/work/purely personal
rncamero - doesnt really do much for me, maybe because i like a bit more of a kick in the tones of pictures. maybe if it was shot vertically, and a bit closer it might be stronger, as theres too much space on the right side.
wayne - nice slightly abstract image. a bit too flat for my taste, but again with the monitor calibration issue maybe. im sure this image has a lot of personal memories surrounding it, and maybe it might work well in a short series.
rncamero
Established
foolproof said:sorry heres mine - thought we had 24 hours in fairness
I should thank you - I slept a bit earlier since I didn't spend that time on RFF
Actually, I thought all comments start after the last picture was posted? I guess maybe that was more of a guideline than a rule...
venchka
Veteran
foolproof said:sorry heres mine - thought we had 24 hours in fairness
Everything about this photo works for me. Right time. Right place. Right framing. Right exposure. And the presence of mind to actually take the picture! Well done!
jonasv
has no mustache
foolproof said:sorry heres mine - thought we had 24 hours in fairness
Yep, 24 hours, don't worry; you weren't late. Everybody started commenting quickly so I followed suit and did the same... but I suppose we should have waited, sorry 'bout that!
About the photo, I like it. As Wayne says: right time, right place. I like how the two girls up front are unsharp, it gives a sense of motion and dynamics to the image. Interesting image that sparks questions. What really happened? Just a fight? It reminds me of a scene that I've seen quite a few times myself... an undercover cop arresting someone. But I've never seen an undercover cop completely dressed in white! Too bad the two other guys are just standing there. If they had been running towards or away from the fight it really would have added to the picture... Oh well, nothing you can do about that! Technically; I like the high contrast and most of all I like your framing, the two girls adding interest in the foreground and looking over their shoulder to see the main subject of the photograph, off-center. Or maybe the main subject is not the fight but the reactions of the people? A combination, I suppose. As a finishing touch I'd add a thin black border, I find it helps in pictures where there is a lot of white on the edges (ie the top right here) to keep the viewers eye inside the photograph instead of wandering out, towards the lighter areas; and the picture getting lost in a white background. Thanks for sharing. I'd be happy to hear some details about the scene should you know them: what happened, who are they and how did it end?
rncamero
Established
steve garza: Great capture on the facial expressions, and I like how your reflection stands between the guy and the child on the right. The feet adds a bit of symmetry, and to me seem to have a bit of personality as well. The bright reflection is a bit distracting - the action inside the restaurant looks more interesting. I also feel that a closer shot/crop that contained just the three + your reflection would be a stronger composition.
jvx: These guys have very distinct features (noses, chin, ears), and I think you captured the attitude/emotion perfectly. I like how part of the face on the left is OOF, and the deep lines continue in the folds of the guy's hoodie. I think though that there's too much 'hand' in the corner, it's intruding on the center and also covers up the inside of his jacket.
venchka: Was there something dropped in the water on the left? I like the subtle radiating action, it goes nicely with the "rippling" shadows in the sand. I like the placement of the foliage. I feel like this would be better in a square format, the foreground creates this imbalance that makes it hard to see the rest of the photo. Overall I think this is a nice shot.
foolproof: Wow nice grab on this one. I like how you managed to keep the camera level on this. The blur on the women keeps the action going. I only wish the the guy and thief were a little closer. I like the feel of the storefronts - great geometry and contrasting tones... a great backdrop.
jvx: These guys have very distinct features (noses, chin, ears), and I think you captured the attitude/emotion perfectly. I like how part of the face on the left is OOF, and the deep lines continue in the folds of the guy's hoodie. I think though that there's too much 'hand' in the corner, it's intruding on the center and also covers up the inside of his jacket.
venchka: Was there something dropped in the water on the left? I like the subtle radiating action, it goes nicely with the "rippling" shadows in the sand. I like the placement of the foliage. I feel like this would be better in a square format, the foreground creates this imbalance that makes it hard to see the rest of the photo. Overall I think this is a nice shot.
foolproof: Wow nice grab on this one. I like how you managed to keep the camera level on this. The blur on the women keeps the action going. I only wish the the guy and thief were a little closer. I like the feel of the storefronts - great geometry and contrasting tones... a great backdrop.
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steve garza
Well-known
Foolproof-
Again, nice grab shot. Exposure looks good. A bit much on the white, but that can't be helped with this kind of shot. If the scene was other than a shopping area, they might be playing around.
Again, nice grab shot. Exposure looks good. A bit much on the white, but that can't be helped with this kind of shot. If the scene was other than a shopping area, they might be playing around.
steve garza
Well-known
Jon, I do agree.....
Jon, I do agree.....
As a former college journalist I undertstand the need for accuracy and context.
I'd certainly like to see your project when it's been completed.
Jon, I do agree.....
jvx said:
As a former college journalist I undertstand the need for accuracy and context.
I'd certainly like to see your project when it's been completed.
steve garza
Well-known
About my image--
I had set out on a "shooting" trip in downtown LA. Walking by this window front, I saw the greatest scene of these 3 eating and laughing together. Unfortunately, this photographer wasn't ready for the shot. They must've noticed that I walked back past the restauraunt. After standing to the side of the window and adjusting my camera for exposure and focus, I stepped in front of the window for the kill, but they were waiting for me waving with big smiles. So I took the shot and waved back. It seemed to work despite my devious little plan. I just might print this one.
I had set out on a "shooting" trip in downtown LA. Walking by this window front, I saw the greatest scene of these 3 eating and laughing together. Unfortunately, this photographer wasn't ready for the shot. They must've noticed that I walked back past the restauraunt. After standing to the side of the window and adjusting my camera for exposure and focus, I stepped in front of the window for the kill, but they were waiting for me waving with big smiles. So I took the shot and waved back. It seemed to work despite my devious little plan. I just might print this one.
venchka
Veteran
steve garza said:
Give a copy to the shop owner to pass along to the subjects!
And I thought it was just a lucky, fortunate happening. Grinning. Making your own luck works too.
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jonasv
has no mustache
foolproof said:
Thanks man. Hrm, my reasons, let's see. I started serious photography about half a year to a year ago and ever since I've been hooked on documentary photography. I now work for the university magazine and some smaller publications; doing mostly portraits. I really enjoy doing that especially because I get to meet interesting/famous people all the time. But... while I enjoy portraiture, I really want to do documentary.
I chose not to study photography because I didn't want my vision to get to limited, I now study history and dutch. Mainly because it is what I consider a good background for a journalistic future. I'm hoping I can spend my life on documentary photography; working for NGO's and bigger publications. I won't have a photography degree so I have to make that up by experience, so I'm dreaming of doing all kinds of documentary projects in the near future to gain experience... The homeless kids in Romania was my first "big" project now. The pictures will be published in some magazines over here in Belgium and in Romania, and the local NGO's will use them to acquire funds. This whole trip cost me quite a bit of money and I can't afford to do it like this forever, so I'm hoping to build a portfolio with this kind of work, and maybe by next summer I can get my expenses paid working for foreign NGO's or publications... So now I'm planning more solo trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, ...
The things I've done and experienced this last weeks, months, ... and particularly in Romania... I know I can't settle for anything else anymore, I can't do a 9 to 5 job when I finish my studies. I've only just started photographing but already it means everything, everything to me. I'd give up anything to be a documentary photog. It's not just about the pictures... The people I've met, the things I've seen, and most of all, the knowledge that I can help by doing this, even if it's not much, but I can help! is a wonderful experience... I can't settle for a life less intense.
Sorry for the rant... these things have been going through my head for a while... Especially since I came back from Romania (one week ago) and I realised that I will go crazy if I stay here in Belgium for too long - I want to get out there again, I need to get out there...
foolproof
Established
dont worry, they go through my head all the time. nice to see someone else out there like me, with the same photographic directions in life as me. wish i had your motivation/drive, but thats something iv always been lacking a bit.
what are ngo's by the way?
how exactly did you go about your trip to romania / getting where you got / access and so on ?
(you can pm me if you dont want to dish out such details in public)
what are ngo's by the way?
how exactly did you go about your trip to romania / getting where you got / access and so on ?
(you can pm me if you dont want to dish out such details in public)
jonasv
has no mustache
foolproof said:
Don't worry, don't mind sharing it in public... who knows it might be of some help to someone else out there. NGO's are non-gouvernmental organisations. Unless I am mistaken and it's not the correct word in English, they are, well, aid organisations. This particular NGO in Brasov, Romania, depends on funding from western europe and with those funds they go to see and try to help the streetkids; give them hot soup in winter, soap, the attention they need, etc. To acquire money to do this they depend on gifts, so they have representatives (volunteers) in other countries like Belgium who do presentations in cultural centres, schools, magazines, ... Photographs help them with this. (the thought that my photographs wil help gathering money, and not even petty amounts but quite big money, and the knowledge that it will go to the right people is... incredible and overwhelming). Small NGO's like this one can't usually afford to hire a photographer but I hope I can work for bigger ones in a few years... and make a living doing what I love to do. Well, "make a living" - I don't need a house, don't need a car, don't need any luxury as long as I can get out there.. and document, with a camera in hand. Don't know if it'll be a happy life but I do know that I cannot do anything else anymore. Even after only seeing the tip of the iceberg, just a very small and short experience I've gotten completely sucked in..
as for the practicalities... I just looked around on the internet, found NGO's with interesting projects, and mailed and called tons of them. Furthermore I've been trying to network with pretty much every local humanitary organisations that has ties to foreign projects.. trying to meet the right people, etc.
As for Romania I just got kind of lucky, I called someone and yes, they were in urgent need of photographs but could not afford a real photographer. So.. the agreement was that they can use the photographs, and I'd get a bed somewhere and mainly the experience and the possibility to build a portfolio. I know I can't afford to keep doing this so I have to build this portfolio in order to maybe, hopefully get contracts that have all my costs paid and then some more to hold me over 'till the next project.
So after I called them and we agreed on a date we just decided to meet at a railway station and I planned everything else my self, arranged a ride from belgium to north romania, then a bus to transylvanian romania (with 23 strangers in a minibus for 8 hours, driving across the carpathian mountains on horrible roads!).. and well. the experience... was amazing. I met so many people, saw so many things, intense moments of sadness and despair and yet so overwhelmed by the friendliness and hospitality of the people, no matter how poor...
oops, i'm ranting again... i hope i answered your question, I'm afraid I can't answer more precisely. my thinking is simple: if you want to do it... you just have to go ahead, and maybe it'll happen, maybe not. if you don't go ahead nothing will happen. so... start browsing the net, pick up the phone, ...
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rncamero
Established
You have great plans jvx - wish you all the success. I think it's awesome you've found such passion in it. I hope I can read more about the work that you have done and will do.
Thanks for the comments -
Looking at the JPG I posted, yeah, it's much lighter than what I thought I saved. I goofed on that one. I would've cropped it before posting, but I'm terrible at it - my recollection of the original scene keeps me from being satisfied with mosts crops. I think this is just a stage I'm going through...
steve: I forgot the technicals of this shot - I think I guesstimated f8 at 1/250? The lens was a 25/4 Voigtlander. I think maybe I should've used the 50 instead:
Thanks for the comments -
Looking at the JPG I posted, yeah, it's much lighter than what I thought I saved. I goofed on that one. I would've cropped it before posting, but I'm terrible at it - my recollection of the original scene keeps me from being satisfied with mosts crops. I think this is just a stage I'm going through...
steve: I forgot the technicals of this shot - I think I guesstimated f8 at 1/250? The lens was a 25/4 Voigtlander. I think maybe I should've used the 50 instead:
Attachments
jonasv
has no mustache
rncamero said:
Thanks for the kind words, and as for the crop you posted - it works! I didn't "see" it myself in your original image but now I see a good picture was in there anyway!
Best,
steve garza
Well-known
Rn....
Rn....
Yes, I like the tighter crop here. It lookes great.
Rn....
rncamero said:
Yes, I like the tighter crop here. It lookes great.
steve garza
Well-known
Jvx...
Jvx...
You are doing God's work!!! I am jealous. I was once a journalism student in college and had the opportunity of "covering" events. I know how this work gets into your blood. Now I am merely a weekend amateur photog trying to enjoy life outside of my 5 days a week inside a business office. Let us know when your project can be seen.
Jvx...
jvx said:Don't worry, don't mind sharing it in public... who knows it might be of some help to someone else out there. NGO's are non-gouvernmental organisations. Unless I am mistaken and it's not the correct word in English, they are, well, aid organisations. This particular NGO in Brasov, Romania, depends on funding from western europe and with those funds they go to see and try to help the streetkids; give them hot soup in winter, soap, the attention they need, etc. To acquire money to do this they depend on gifts, so they have representatives (volunteers) in other countries like Belgium who do presentations in cultural centres, schools, magazines, ... Photographs help them with this. (the thought that my photographs wil help gathering money, and not even petty amounts but quite big money, and the knowledge that it will go to the right people is... incredible and overwhelming). Small NGO's like this one can't usually afford to hire a photographer but I hope I can work for bigger ones in a few years... and make a living doing what I love to do. Well, "make a living" - I don't need a house, don't need a car, don't need any luxury as long as I can get out there.. and document, with a camera in hand. Don't know if it'll be a happy life but I do know that I cannot do anything else anymore. Even after only seeing the tip of the iceberg, just a very small and short experience I've gotten completely sucked in..
as for the practicalities... I just looked around on the internet, found NGO's with interesting projects, and mailed and called tons of them. Furthermore I've been trying to network with pretty much every local humanitary organisations that has ties to foreign projects.. trying to meet the right people, etc.
As for Romania I just got kind of lucky, I called someone and yes, they were in urgent need of photographs but could not afford a real photographer. So.. the agreement was that they can use the photographs, and I'd get a bed somewhere and mainly the experience and the possibility to build a portfolio. I know I can't afford to keep doing this so I have to build this portfolio in order to maybe, hopefully get contracts that have all my costs paid and then some more to hold me over 'till the next project.
So after I called them and we agreed on a date we just decided to meet at a railway station and I planned everything else my self, arranged a ride from belgium to north romania, then a bus to transylvanian romania (with 23 strangers in a minibus for 8 hours, driving across the carpathian mountains on horrible roads!).. and well. the experience... was amazing. I met so many people, saw so many things, intense moments of sadness and despair and yet so overwhelmed by the friendliness and hospitality of the people, no matter how poor...
oops, i'm ranting again... i hope i answered your question, I'm afraid I can't answer more precisely. my thinking is simple: if you want to do it... you just have to go ahead, and maybe it'll happen, maybe not. if you don't go ahead nothing will happen. so... start browsing the net, pick up the phone, ...
You are doing God's work!!! I am jealous. I was once a journalism student in college and had the opportunity of "covering" events. I know how this work gets into your blood. Now I am merely a weekend amateur photog trying to enjoy life outside of my 5 days a week inside a business office. Let us know when your project can be seen.