Seek critique on a photo project

[Marc-A.]

Hello,
Lately, I achieved a photographical work on instrument making. I am not a professional (my pictures make it obvious), and I do not intend to be one, but I would like to improve my way of photographing in order to continue this work on instrument making (I dream of photographing gypsy guitar making ... and gypsy sessions too). That is why, I need your judgement, your critique, on this work. I have already posted three pictures of this work on RFF and you can see the whole series here.

I used Neopan 1600 film, shot at 1600, and tried to control the highlights. I played on underexposure in order to enhance lines and parts of the body ... but sometimes, I 'burned' my photographs. Any advice, critique?
Many thanks in advance,
Marc

PS: I thought the Critique forum was the appropriate place in RFF to post this thread; hope I didn't break any rule.

 

[FrankS]

I think you are on the right track and doing very well! Great subject matter (I've thought of doing the same thing), use of B+W (my favourite), and using natural light. Stay the course!

 

[thelovecollect]

i think you might want to pull back more..i like to see the environment..
i also like to see tighter shots of his face and hands...
these shots seems to be more about the technique of instrument making..
i want to know more about him...make it more human.

you are certainly very passionate about this subject...

 

[danielnorton]

I was once told by a photojournalist... a basic rule of documentary type shooting is to capture the subject 3 ways.
Wide shots to show the environment...
medium shots
and tightly cropped close-ups.
Seems like you've got a few good medium shots, add a few of the other types to tell a bit more of the story. Very nice project by the way.

-Daniel

 

[Richard Black]

Agree with the comments made above. If you have a 85mm-90mm tele, step back a get close shots of the maker's face or hands and wides for environment.

 

[Marc-A.]

Many thanks for your advices. I will consider playing with the different lengths. When I got the film processed, I was also struck by the fact I didn't really photograph the face. In my defense, my primary interest was to show the hands of the craftman. But I have to work on this.
Many thanks again 🙂
Marc

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Je crois que ils sont tous "chouette", Marc. I agree with Frank, you are on the right track. Alas, what would I give to have the opportunity to do something like that.

The light is right, your framing is, imo, well done (just lose the hint of the face on the third picture). Allez-faire plus!

 

[Gid]

Marc,

I checked out the whole series in your Pbase gallery and there are some woderfully atmospheric images. My favourite is "Time to play violin 1". There is concentration and peace coming through in that image and the lighting is just right. In terms of your stated goal of capturing the hands of the craftsman you've just about got it spot on. Personally, I would prefer the images to be a little lighter which would then provide a little more context - its difficult to make out exactly what is going on in some of the detail shots and IMHO that detracts from the overall feel of the images and the viewers involvement.

BTW you have some very good portraits too. I especially like "In the eyes of a mother", "stolen portrait" and "Girl, girl, girl"

Great stuff.

 

[lubitel]

Its a wonderful series! you have some great photos. One of my favourites is "the wheel" it has an unexpected, interesting geometry.

 

[jaapv]

I loved the photo's. But you asked for critique. You mentioned "burning" the photo's. I wonder, are the blown highlights a result of your scanning or do the actual prints show the same effect. If the first, the simple solution is to underexpose during scanning and recover the tonality in photoshop, if the second it means either developing your film for lower contrast or, if the detail is in the negative, dodging and burning in the darkroom.
Still, I would be proud myself if I could achieve such a series 🙂

 

[BudGreen]

Really nice work, Marc. Lighting and composition are great. I agree with you that the key to the whole thing is the hands. To me they look just a little over exposed in some of these. I don't know if you can get away with it, but a 400 speed film might bring out a little more of the skin tones and help control the highlights. Keep us posted on your progress.