Paul_C
Established
...the collective wisdom of the average of flickr viewers?
Please, please don't put faith in "the collective wisdom of the average of flickr viewers." Evidence: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrerabelo/70458366/
...the collective wisdom of the average of flickr viewers?
I have to agree with that, talking about them is a good start.
this actual photo ...
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Subject: the narrative seems to me to revolve round the exchange of the cup and the chaps expression so ones attention is split between two centres of interest
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Composition: the main construction lines run along the left hand figures arm and hand and the 1/4 profile of the right hand figure, and is tied together by the shelving in the background ...
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... unfortunately most of the movement and all of the subject is in the right of the image leaving a large area of negative space on the left ...
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... which leaves my eye wandering around the racking and cables on the left, well away from the "subject" area on the right
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After taking a super quick look at your Flickr site I would say that your work is decent but lacks content. I would suggest working on a project of your shoosing for an extended period and use that as an opportunity to work on your storytelling.
That having been said perhaps a break is in order. Take some time off and you may well come back with your batteries recharged. Best of luck! You are a passionate photographer and I am sure you will get past this block...
I have to agree with that, talking about them is a good start.
this actual photo ...
![]()
Subject: the narrative seems to me to revolve round the exchange of the cup and the chaps expression so ones attention is split between two centres of interest
![]()
Composition: the main construction lines run along the left hand figures arm and hand and the 1/4 profile of the right hand figure, and is tied together by the shelving in the background ...
![]()
... unfortunately most of the movement and all of the subject is in the right of the image leaving a large area of negative space on the left ...
![]()
... which leaves my eye wandering around the racking and cables on the left, well away from the "subject" area on the right
![]()
i had a tutor at college, a bloody good tutor. he runs a magazine online called 'Seesaw'. some of you might have come across it.
seesawmagazine.com/
when we had critiques at college (of bodies of work, not individual shots) he would sometimes ask a question that we dreaded..
'why should i care'?
we used to get a bit s#itty when he asked that question. we thought, what a rubbish question, so unfair.
but as i've continued in my photographic life, i've come to realise that it is in fact quite a good question. if you can answer it with words then you're one step closer to convincing people of the standard of your work. if noone asks you that question, and your work stands alone by itself, if it makes the viewer care - then you've probably produced something pretty decent...
i also like to show the environment in which the subjects exist. is that reaching too far?
It's not reaching too far. However, the environment is already displayed, with subtlety, between the two people. The left hand of the image is overpowering the people.
Think of a rock song... it's fine if there's a guitar solo in the middle, but if the first half of the song is one big guitar solo, then that's too much!
Here's a flickr comment from photographer Ben Roberts, which I've often pondered. In the comment, he gives one simple question that will help you critique your own work: "why should I care?"
http://www.flickr.com/groups/onthestreet/discuss/72157602138459053/page6/#comment72157602991461387
much thanks stewart!
is it possible to have more than one subject in an image?
like a main subject and a sub subject?
i agree that the exchange between the vendor and the seller is what i most wanted to capture but i also like to show the environment in which the subjects exist. is that reaching too far?