New photo; let me know what you think.

Thanks.

 

Dennis<div></div>

Little too gritty, too high contrast for my taste. Looks like you blew out all the

shadows. But that's personal taste; many many people like these images... And of

course, that's the problem with asking, "What do you think?"

I like the position of the fist in your image; maybe a tighter crop around the fist

and the text on the wall will improve the photo. Your scan though... That's

another story. <i><b>WAY TOO contrasty!! </b></i> Also the appearance of

the grain is too overpowering in the overall composition. A smoother tone

(less contrast) would be a great improvement.

Well ,i liked it. Bit too much contrast.

I tend to agree about the high contrast (although it was taken at midday). For some reason, my scans look different when I post them here. If you're interested, take a look at the scan of the same photo that I posted in one of my folios:

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/1582197

 

Dennis

Dennis, the scan and contrast are minor issues. Since you asked, as a stand alone photo it just doesn't quite make it, IMO. The coincidence of the hand juxtaposed to the archway isn't enough and doesn't really lead the viewer anywhere. The guy below isn't particularly interesting in form or content. From what I've seen your facing street portraits are much stronger, and seem a special talent of yours.

Thanks, Ray. I do appreciate the constructive remarks. What I was going for here, though, was the way the guy seemed to contort his left arm to mimic the archway.

 

Here's a much lighter version of the scan.

 

Dennis<div></div>

I see what you mean.

The lighter scan DOES work better.

Thanks, Patrick. BTW, that why I asked what you thought. I'm not fishing for compliments on something that I know has imperfections; I like to hear what you really think makes an image work.

 

Dennis

Still doesn't work for me. ;)

I think the lighter one looks nicer with the shadow details coming out, but less

dramatic than the high contrast one. In the lighter one, the white areas are still

burned, though, and the man seems to have lost its value as the focusing point of the

photo (as in the high contrast one). In the lighter photo, my eyes are drawn to the

gate of the "Presbytere", which is not very exciting. IMO I'd like to keep the man as

the main subject, but increase the shadow details and lower the contrast at the same

time - if you know what I mean.

 

Overall, I think it's a captivating photo.

Dennis,

 

I like the contrast in the original submission and I think the composition is very good. Aesthically there is absolutely nothing wrong with the photo. I don't see the point, the story you are trying to tell--and pictures all tell stories. Is there supposed to be some kind of humorous irony in this shot--the staid and solumnn background and the casual arm going in the air? You've got something going here. I see this photo as kind of visual mental note to yourself. Scenes like this will repeat themselves. File this shot under "Similar Possibilities."

 

--Alex