New pic for critque.

[travis2]

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/669013">Indian Woman</a>

[roger_michel]

same problem as several of your other shots posted recently -- the

backgound is too busy, and adds nothing to the power of the

portrait. in fact, in this case, the ugly background -- pole, etc. --

really ruins the shot. based on seeing several of your photos now,

i believe you need to be much more attuned to the total pic. it is

not enough to spot an interesting face, and then to just grab the

shot any way you can. be patient, think about background and

context, and when the perfect combination of factors appears in your

viewfinder (or mental viewfinder), pull the trigger. patience will

be rewarded in this endeavor.

[travis2]

Thx Roger, im still learning..;)

[roger_michel]

we all are!!! and i admire your bravery in putting your work up for

critique. remember, when you ask for a critique, people will

invariably tell you much more about what's WRONG than all the things

that are RITE in your photos. all i will add is that there is some

old saw, which unfortunately i can't quite remember, to the effect

that a photog sometimes learns more from the photos he doesn't take

than from those he actually commits to film/chip. if you see a

potentially great shot that isn't quite there, stop and think about

why it falls short rather than simply grabbing the nice but flawed

shot and walking away. this will help you develop your sense for

the, dare i say it, decisive moment.

[kristian dowling]

It's great to see you posting your pictures for critique Travis. It

shows us you are keen to learn and improve. And it is true that

there is no improvement without learning, and no learning

without desire. You have it all and your attempts are indicated by

your pictures.

 

<p>

 

This picture to me shows that you are lacking confidence with

the photographic process, not the equipment. Photographing

people is not an easy task, but extremly rewarding when you

have achieved your goals.

 

<p>

 

It looks as if you have seen this person and thought "Wow, she

would make a great photographic subject" , and then you shot at

an angle where she couldn't notice you, but you got enough of

her face to be satisfied at that time.

 

<p>

 

Obviously from the result, you can see that satisfaction at that

time can differ greatly. So how do you overcome this?

1. See the subject, think of framing and compostion as well as

PERSPECTIVE.

2. Once decided choose the appropriate lens (if possible)

3. Taking into account subject distance and chosen lens, select

an aperture that will portray the image the way you desire.

 

<p>

 

Then how do you go about getting the shot?

Consider:

* getting the person's permission, either by asking directly or

breaking the ice by starting a conversation and then asking later.

* Taking the picture inconspicuously

* If not possible, just take the shot anyway (only if you feel it is

ethically ok and safe).

* offer money, especially in 3rd world countries (and yes you do

have to pay sometimes).

 

<p>

 

These ar my options and the ones I use dependent on the

environment and subject. Hope this helps.

[kristian dowling]

It's great to see you posting your pictures for critique Travis. It

shows us you are keen to learn and improve. And it is true that

there is no improvement without learning, and no learning

without desire. You have it all and your attempts are indicated by

your pictures.

 

<p>

 

This picture to me shows that you are lacking confidence with

the photographic process, not the equipment. Photographing

people is not an easy task, but extremly rewarding when you

have achieved your goals.

 

<p>

 

It looks as if you have seen this person and thought "Wow, she

would make a great photographic subject" , and then you shot at

an angle where she couldn't notice you, but you got enough of

her face to be satisfied at that time.

 

<p>

 

Obviously from the result, you can see that satisfaction at that

time can differ greatly. So how do you overcome this?

1. See the subject, think of framing and compostion as well as

PERSPECTIVE.

2. Once decided choose the appropriate lens (if possible)

3. Taking into account subject distance and chosen lens, select

an aperture that will portray the image the way you desire.

 

<p>

 

Then how do you go about getting the shot?

Consider:

* getting the person's permission, either by asking directly or

breaking the ice by starting a conversation and then asking later.

* Taking the picture inconspicuously

* If not possible, just take the shot anyway (only if you feel it is

ethically ok and safe).

* offer money, especially in 3rd world countries (and yes you do

have to pay sometimes).

 

<p>

 

These are my options and the ones I use dependent on the

environment and subject. Hope this helps.

[kristian dowling]

Totally agree with Roger! I've learnt more from the photos I

missed out on or chose not to shoot. Cause no matter what

technique yo have, sometimes you just can't get the shot....like

the "BLOODY" times I left my camera at home **James's grin** :)

[travis2]

Thx Kristian, I really need to learn to get CLOSE to people ..;) Im

not really a portrait person..as u can see..

 

<p>

 

 

now where is my 90 2.8??

[kristian dowling]

Travis, half the difficulty with photographing people is the fact that

you need to capture an expression that best describes what you

'as a photographer' want to say about the person.

 

<p>

 

Two people who have done very well with this are:

Henri Cartier Bresson and Steve McCurry. Steve McCurry is often

bagged by people because he photographs mainly in clour and

uses colour (although he says he doesn't) to the greatest

advantage. But if you see his book "portraits" he has the great

ability to capture a unique look in all his subjects. I call this skill!

No matter how commercial he is he does capture the true

"essence" of his subjects. Mainly through the eyes (hint hint).

 

<p>

 

And can anyone argue that his portrait of the Afgan girl in 85' has

the most overwhelming effect on you. It is absolutely spectacular

and if I could take one shot in my life that has that much effect I'll

be very happy. Maybe he was in the right place at the right time,

but he made the most of it and that is what counts.

[travis2]

Kristian, thx for sharing. Im a long way off being good at portraits.

But i'll try.

 

<p>

 

As a matter of fact, HCB has influenced me quite a bit by his pics. I

m trying to develop my own style, and i think Leica can help me do

that.

 

<p>

 

I need to travel more...but maybe not Afghanistan!;)

[iván]

Hi, Travis:

 

<p>

 

Don't even think about the 90mm. Just get <a

href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?

photo_id=450627&size=lg">closer </a> to your subject so that you can

frame the person in a more convenient way, mainly meaning that the

background doesn't interfere. It could take just a slight change of

the angle your lens aims at her/him, the closer the easier.

 

<p>

 

How to do it ? No easy way that I know but practice and practice

and . . .

 

<p>

 

Once it works for you for the first time, you will be in your way to

improve it faster and faster.

 

<p>

 

And stick to the 50mm. 35mm often said to be better because of the

wider coverage will demand to get even closer to the subject. At

least, in my case it haven't been of much help for street shooting

when dealing with people.

 

<p>

 

Regards

 

<p>

 

-Iván

[travis2]

Thx Ivan...the 50 has been great...but I do feel the 35 asph f2 is

much sharper overall..

 

<p>

 

I will try to get closer...to people..