I realise I ask for a lot of critiquing...but it's the only way I learn

[aureliaaurita]

So be hard on me, please. I take no offence, ever. I only took two today-well five in actuality but I deemed the other three only worthy of a shoebox so here goes on the remaining two before I was distracted by shoe shopping and this amazing burger place (stopping there).....

Firstly, I know he's in the middle of the photo but to the other side of him there's sky, which I didn't want drawing your eye away, and well...I could't very well ask him to move along a little....

is the subject there clear enough?

 

[ben lloyd]

My quick thoughts are that you should consider cropping the first, especially if *you* are already concerned with the composition.

The second I would have to answer "no", the subject isn't clear to me.

 

[ISO]

Can I really do this ?Well, if ManGo can...Ok, alice..., 1st photo I would like it more if it would be cropped, there is too much surrounding and also the guy in the centre is not 100% sharp. tonality is nice and I like that wired smoke above his head. But it is not a photo I would do a big print hang over my sofa . Pic 2. The quality is stunning to my eyes. Good equipment. Again I like tonality a lot. But what do you want to show us in this photo? I can see absolute no conception, sorry. Again, no space in my living room. I am sure you made better ones. OK quiet hard, but that is the way my eyes see it you asked for it and also it seems that this is the way you want it, sorry... Sorry no photos from me, because... 🙂

 

[aureliaaurita]

taking it taking it.

The first I see...I should have got him to filp something or set it on fire or...well, yes, drama.

The second I probably should have moved more to the left on, if you see what I mean?

 

[aureliaaurita]

p.s. uncropped...which I am starting to prefer??

 

[ben lloyd]

a quick chop in PS for the first...?

 

[aureliaaurita]

a quick chop in PS for the first...?

*suspects she may be too fond of messy photomatos*

 

[charjohncarter]

Your compositions are busy, so maybe this isn't the time to discuss this but you need more mid-tones and at least some definition in all those black areas. If you are using digital maybe bracket your shots, if you can. I don't think these are film, but if they are (they are clear scans) shoot at a lower ISO and cut back on development. They are many threads here about this technique. Here is a favorite of mine, but not mine, the credit is on the image. This guy used 120 film and 777 developer to achieve this great portrait.

 

[ISO]

Well, please do not set him on fire to get a better photo. Just ask him if you can take a portrait. Portraits are interesting most of the times cause everyone is special in a way. For the second photo. Nice effects in composition can be reached by a foreground, middle, background composition if you want to show more surrounding. This is a effect I like in landscape shots for example. Than in your photo if the street would be complete clean, without road sign, people, bike, banners etc. it would be a much more nice photo. Keep it clean! Shadows will give you a 3d effect. Play with the light! Do not put to many elements in one photo. Concentrate on single elements ! For example the door bell somewhere or the lock of the bike or whatever...Make sure there is the main part/ element in your photo and keep the background simple ! Go to Soho and have a look to a lot of photo books. Much better than the internet. Try to copy the masters first and than develop your own style. Will take a while, but you have the equipment, so now it is up to you... I try to get a better photographer "everyday", since more than 15 years now. It is fun!

 

[ben lloyd]

Can I ask what the subject/ intention for the 2nd shot is?
(without wanting to sound harsh)

 

[aureliaaurita]

no no digital. I think it's my conversions that ruins my shadows...shall have to work on that.

 

[aureliaaurita]

teh intention for the second shot looked clear through my viewfinder, hence I asked if it could be seen as I was not sure myself!

I need to move more to the left, it was of the bike and the two signs on either side of the road round the curve...hard to explain

 

[ben lloyd]

I get it, I think the old adage about getting closer applies to both shots.

 

[sepiareverb]

Busy needn't be bad- I like much about the second image- how the the signs lead you to the guy with the backpack, the man walking toward camera pulls you back out. The bike is wonderful, and how the lightpole chops the white jacket. Perhaps as a horizontal this would be a little stronger- losing the signage above, cropping below the light fixtures on the waxy sister. Don't be afraid of busy- look at Lee Friedlander, you'll learn how busy can be beautiful

 

[lilin menyala]

i quite like the first one. i like the guy's expression, it's introverted. and i'd say i like your initial crop the best. second pic - i agree with what others say. it's so busy and the main subject is unclear. for some reason the most interesting elements in it are the sand bags. but overall it wouldn't hold my attention.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Here are my 2 cents worth, 1 cent for photo 1 and 1 cent for photo 2. This is how "I" would crop the photos:

Wayne

 

[Keith]

I quite like photo one but to me it's a little straight up and down ... I like it rotated and as such it gets my attention a lot more.

Of course I could just be talking out of my a*se! 😛

 

[sherm]

I quite like photo one but to me it's a little straight up and down ... I like it rotated and as such it gets my attention a lot more.

Of course I could just be talking out of my a*se! 😛

There are alot of us around here who do that Keith...... 😀