Opinion....

Carterofmars

Carterofmars

Well-known
Local time
3:53 AM
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
Messages
772
5596263437_bf2b60bee9_z.jpg
 
yep, nice enough photo, but little content or narrative ... if you're going to try that the composition has to be spot on to carry the picture
 
Might work better with a tight crop around the people. I like their shadows on the wall, and it looks like an 'early morning going to work' type photo. Maybe a vertical crop just to the left of the pole. That would keep the eye from wandering into the shadows on the right.

PF
 
There is a mystery/curiosity about the photo; the darkness even though there is obviously sunlight, the man following the woman and his shadow prominent on the wall. The more I look, the more I am intrigued. But it does not reach out and grab one. It needs to be studied and looked at curiosity and interest. Don't know the solution to that.
 
I'm going to give you my honest opinion because you asked, but don't assume that my critique of this one photo applies to the rest your work, I'm just trying to give the best critique that I can.

To start, the point of view is a really too far away, thus the light post is in the wrong spot, dividing the image in an unbalanced way. The the path that the man and women follow don't intersect in a meaningful way. The subjects are also too far away.

The exposure is nice, and would be better if you cropped out the darker areas of the building and most of the street. Your verticals are nice, but your diagonals don't work for me, you should play with cropping to see if you find something that works better.

As of right now this photo isn't strong enough to stand alone, and I feel that it would probably be a weak link in a series as well. I really think that you are on the right track, but I get the sense that you are standing outside of your subjects field of vision because you are afraid of what they might think or say (I fear confrontation as well, so don't feel bad).

I would really like to know what you were hoping to achieve with this picture, then I could be more helpful. I'd like to see more of something like this, but it would need to be a bit more aggressive and a bit closer. The time of day was perfect, and I think that you are on the right track, but you really should have exploited the shadows of the subjects more if you were worried about taking a photo of them in their line of site.

If you want any more feed back or have questions PM me.
 
Thanks for the opinions/advice. Very appreciated :)

I don't know what intrigues me about this wall... I've cropped and adjusted light a bit.

5643135847_0f09ca5953_z.jpg
 
Last edited:
I quite like it, I don't think it needs a crop. I like photos which are a bit bleak, which illustrate that every day life can be a bit grim.

If I had taken it, I'd be quite pleased with it. The light adjustment helps it I think, although I'd be happy with the drab colours of the first post, sometimes darkness and underexposure brings it's own look and feel.
 
That's better. Everything flows/points to the lower left, which is off center, but that works for this photo. Kind of leading you to where everyone is going.

PF
 
I think it's just stop underexposed, but otherwise a nice shot. I like the red sign against the green-yellow wall with he light blue sky
 
thegman said:
I quite like it, I don't think it needs a crop. I like photos which are a bit bleak, which illustrate that every day life can be a bit grim.

If I had taken it, I'd be quite pleased with it. The light adjustment helps it I think, although I'd be happy with the drab colours of the first post, sometimes darkness and underexposure brings it's own look and feel.
Click to expand...


I myself like shadows. I like to see dark areas revealing little detail. It attracts...
 
I see what you're getting at but shots like this are tough to criticize online. I think it would be better as a very large print and part of a series. From a distance it would have a strong graphic impact and there are some nice details(pigeon shadows) that warrant closer inspection. The one thing that bothers me is the vertical lines leaning to the right. I think they're too close to true to leave it askew. Also I prefer it before the crop.
 
Creagerj said:
I'm going to give you my honest opinion because you asked, but don't assume that my critique of this one photo applies to the rest your work, I'm just trying to give the best critique that I can.

To start, the point of view is a really too far away, thus the light post is in the wrong spot, dividing the image in an unbalanced way. The the path that the man and women follow don't intersect in a meaningful way. The subjects are also too far away.

The exposure is nice, and would be better if you cropped out the darker areas of the building and most of the street. Your verticals are nice, but your diagonals don't work for me, you should play with cropping to see if you find something that works better.

As of right now this photo isn't strong enough to stand alone, and I feel that it would probably be a weak link in a series as well. I really think that you are on the right track, but I get the sense that you are standing outside of your subjects field of vision because you are afraid of what they might think or say (I fear confrontation as well, so don't feel bad).

I would really like to know what you were hoping to achieve with this picture, then I could be more helpful. I'd like to see more of something like this, but it would need to be a bit more aggressive and a bit closer. The time of day was perfect, and I think that you are on the right track, but you really should have exploited the shadows of the subjects more if you were worried about taking a photo of them in their line of site.

If you want any more feed back or have questions PM me.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the critique. I was hoping to get constructive non sarcastic feed back like this as well as some of the other posters as well. Thanks to everyone that had something to constructive to say... always appreciated greatly.

Creagerj- I wanted to be that far back for this shot. The way the light was falling on this wall at this time of the early morning, juxtaposed with the shadows I was seeing, attracted me to begin with. Maybe the shot just doesn't work.

Trust me, I have no problem getting in peoples faces. Look at some of the images I've posted yesterday of a walk up 5th Ave. here in NYC. I was right up in Naomi Campbell's face and took a shot without knowing it was her, then I realized a minute later as she sized me up. :eek:

5643306013_a9b7a7eb77_z.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hi Carter,

I have to say that the picture does not do alot for me either. What I can offer are the following points (based on this and your Flickr):-

1. Spend some time just walking a 'beat' - looking around before you start taking pitures.
2. Always watch were you are in relation to the sun i.e. light/shadow/backlit etc.
3. As you walk around look at every shop window and wall poster. Both of these present golden oppoutunities for photo's with human interaction.
4. When you find you are ready, then get to it. Prime lens and get in. Be honest with yourself i.e. if you think along the lines of "I can always crop something out of nothing" then don't bother.

Your original picture was not anything - it was badly shot and badly shaped. Forget those. In your Flickr you remind me of someone who is trying to emulate Winogrand, well personally, 90% of his stuff was cr*p - just pictures for pictures sake!

Be honest - be yourself - you've got the gear, the territory and the desire; be your own photographer.

Good Luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom