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i think i finally did it...


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i am such an awful/lazy/timid street photographer that i probably

deserve to have my leica taken away, but i think i finally have a

candid that's actually OK. what do you think?

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<br><br><br><b>The Fashion of Kings</b>

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Well Vuk, what I'm not at all clear about is why you did it. So, let me ask you: why did you take this photograph; why is it successful to you; why did you title it this way? Most importantly, what do you think you could have done to improve it? That's another way of asking what don't you like about it. As photographers, ultimately we all have to be our own best and worst critics. Tell us more and see if any of us agree. Oh, and if you've got additional shots of the same scene, why not post those too along with your insights.

Be well. Mark

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as for Mark Feldstein questions, all of them as obvious as any ever listed, he obviously can't think, or is not generous to think. You asked us what we think. You got at least one LF pseudo-philosophical echo. A head shake and a chuckle is the best reaction to this waste of a keyboard.
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Vuk, putting the boarders aside, and the detractors, I quite like the pic. It works reasonably for me as is. However, I would have continued to shoot from closer below the subject to give a bit more drama. Even waited till they started 'cheering' their selected horse in the next race. But there is probably a big deep hole right there, just to frustrate photographers, which is probably why you didn't do it!

 

Cheers,

John

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get closer. street photography is about people. it's normal to be timid, but you also need to show you're interested in your subject. i don't know what this picture is about, even with the caption. forget about the display. work on the content. it's a constant struggle, mainly with yourself. keep shooting.
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D30 Gaijin.

 

when you've brought home your computer from "best buy" it's usually a good idea to reset the monitor to something normal. perhaps we simply have different ideas regarding final mastering, but i can assure you, nothing is "blown" on the negative. also, if i do what it takes get rid of shadow detail (and thereby provoke the wrath of others), the second man's face will be totally lost. yes, i could dodge and all that, but there is simply no time.

 

others.

 

those who figured out the race-track riddle, cheers!!! i did very well that day. cashed most of my bets and hit a $270 exactor (that's "exacta" for you americans).

 

BTW--my regular scanner broke down a couple of days ago and i had to resort to something very sub-par and annoying for this neg. once scanner is repaired, perhaps there will be a few more from the day worth posting.

 

vuk.

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Couple thoughts. First, I like the photo. The fellas are a bit distant, but their heads, hands, papers are aligned and the pattern in the upper right corner does offer some balance. Cropping may or may not improve it. I'm not sure. I'd have to spend some time and see it both ways. And on my screen, the highlights don't look so bad. These gents are standing very still, so I'm with John in wanting to see what happens when things get exciting. That's a different picture.<p><p>

 

But while WJ Gibson and I both like the photo, I absolutely do not share his harsh view of Mark Feldstein's questions. Mark has in essence (perhaps unintentionally ?) restated the original "Crit" guidelines for the Forum as set forth last year by our moderator, Tony Rowlett, who wrote:<p><p>

 

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Admin: CRIT threads - reminder on format<p><p>

 

Tony Rowlett .... mar 30, 2004; 05:03 p.m.<p><p>

 

When making CRIT (Critique) posts, please post more than the photograph itself. Please describe the characteristics of your photograph that you like as well as the ones you dislike and the ones you're not sure about. Please be as specific as possible. Ask specific questions so that your audience can get a better feel for your overall "goal" for the photograph.

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Since you posted this as a first effort at candid "street" photography, I'll

address it as such and completely ignore technical aspects. Street

photography is about finding and capturing interesting STUFF. Doesn't matter

if you blow out the highlights or print the thing on cardboard.

 

First, you can't do street/people/candid's with a telephoto lens. That's wildlife

photography and you might as well be shooting birds in a tree. BTW, I'm

assuming this was done with a mild telephoto (and yes that includes 50mm).

 

Second, well, it's just a corollary of the first point, you have to be close. Close

enough to talk to your subjects -- even if you choose not to. Close enough so

that they KNOW you're there. The skill is figuring out ways to be this close

and have your subjects NOT CARE. Brad seems to have this skill in spades.

Even when his subjects are staring right into the camera, they never seem to

be staring at HIM as the photographer.

 

Remember that the primary definition of "candid" is "complete honesty and

absence of deception."

 

--Don

 

PS. BTW, I think the English phrase you were looking for was "Sport of Kings"

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I don't have the calibre to give you advise here, so just mention what I feel. I think the photo is good and I will be happy to get this one myself. Further, I think you are lucky to have so many forumers to give you detailed comments, which is what we want when we post photos here. Normally, the comments here are just "Nice", "love it", "like #4", or make a friendly joke, etc., if not no response at all. In addition, if you post on the open internet you have to be prepared to accept negative and even hostile comments. All of the comments above are actually constructive and friendly in my opinion (but right or wrong is subjective in photography). I have seen (and actually received) much worst.
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I really like it, Vuk. The composition works well for me and it says a lot about punters (of which I know a little something, my father having been a keen punter himself) I also think that the way you've laid it out works very well.

 

I'd carry on developing your own style, which I'm beginning to enjoy.

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