Request critique

[satya_v_rao]

[mikemorrellNL]

Why are you requesting so many critiques?

IMHO this photo is a well below average photo of an event. One that I would throw away. I suggest you post only photos that you consider your best or that you would like specific feedback on.

mike

 

[T. R. Tinker]

He's requesting critique(s) so he can improve his technique and composition, don't you think?

I wouldn't cull this photo if for no other reason than it might evoke a pleasant memory, but the composition isn't very good.

The background is much too cluttered and very distracting.  If there had been an opportunity to capture a less cluttered background by moving to one side or the other, it would have helped.  Most of the dancers are obscured by other dancers, which also might have been helped by moving off at an angle to whee you were standing.  The clothing the dancers are wearing is unremarkable, the lighting isn't good, and the moment captured in time doesn't create an emotional response.

I'm not sure I would have taken this picture unless I knew someone amongst the dancers; there's not a lot going for it, but it wouldn't be an automatic cull if I'd taken it. 

[satya_v_rao]

10 hours ago, mikemorrellNL said:

Why are you requesting so many critiques?

IMHO this photo is a well below average photo of an event. One that I would throw away. I suggest you post only photos that you consider your best or that you would like specific feedback on.

mike

 

My requests for critique is for improvement purpose. Thanks for your suggestion.

[satya_v_rao]

8 hours ago, T. R. Tinker said:

He's requesting critique(s) so he can improve his technique and composition, don't you think?

I wouldn't cull this photo if for no other reason than it might evoke a pleasant memory, but the composition isn't very good.

The background is much too cluttered and very distracting.  If there had been an opportunity to capture a less cluttered background by moving to one side or the other, it would have helped.  Most of the dancers are obscured by other dancers, which also might have been helped by moving off at an angle to whee you were standing.  The clothing the dancers are wearing is unremarkable, the lighting isn't good, and the moment captured in time doesn't create an emotional response.

I'm not sure I would have taken this picture unless I knew someone amongst the dancers; there's not a lot going for it, but it wouldn't be an automatic cull if I'd taken it. 

Thank you for your valuable comments. Appreciate your kind observation. Now on, these points will help me while taking pictures on street and sudden events. 

[T. R. Tinker]

6 hours ago, satya_v_rao said:

Thank you for your valuable comments. Appreciate your kind observation. Now on, these points will help me while taking pictures on street and sudden events. 

You're welcome - and if I were to simplify my comment, I'd have left it at "the background detracts from the subject(s)".  Seeing beyond the subject to what's in the background was one of the harder things I had to learn when I started taking candid photographs, and the landfill is littered with the Kodak film prints I threw out.  But I didn't throw them all away because some were good to keep around to remind me of my mistakes.

[JDMvW]

All the same, seeking improvement or not, in shotgunning a bunch of images, the chance of getting useful responses is inversely related to the number and quality of the posted images.

[samstevens]

If there were reason to salvage this image, with some finely-tuned post processing, the most potential I see is in the young bending girl with the nicely-lit smiling face. More of a story could be created around her as a subject. As for the background, if there were more compelling interest in the foreground, it would simply be a natural street background and wouldn't have to be much of a distraction. If the story here is in the dancers, the lighting is a problem since the main light capturing our eye is way off in the back and the white of the van takes on a lot of prominence. One reason the light on the girl's face might have worked is because it highlights her in an otherwise shadowy foreground. But even with the current lighting, if you'd timed the shot when fewer backs were turned toward you, the photo might have wound up with a bit more interest and good energy. Action shots like this rely a lot on timing, so watch people's movements and consider what's actually going to get stilled when you snap the shutter. While you're experiencing the overall scene, your camera won't necessarily capture that feeling unless you position yourself effectively and time your shot to capture the most of what's being offered. I think it's ok to keep posting whatever you'd like. Thankfully, you have that option as we all have the option of responding or not. 

[mikemorrellNL]

Hi @satya_v_rao, I apologize for my cynical and negative comment below. It's not typical of my feedback to any post. I must have been in a really impatient and grumpy mood. Unfortunately I reacted too quickly and didn't reconsider. I'm glad that other members gave much more positive feedback. Let me add mine.

First off, I've taken similar photos too,  which I've kept (and not thrown away!). Because they remind me of an event, an atmosphere, etc.  Looking at your photo again (less impatient and less grumpy 😉) I now see many positive points:

- I like the 'action' (dancing) in the photo and the way the young girl expresses 'fun' and 'pleasure' at the event

- I'm not sure if there was any music at the event but the two people clapping on the left show that there's a definite 'rhythm' to the dance

- the two women in the background are fine to show that this was a 'spectator event'

In terms of possible improvements:

- the photo could IMHO be slightly brighter which might better express a 'fun, happy' event

- the two men in the background (far left) are the 'odd men out' for me in that they look less interested in the dance; if you could crop these 2 men out, it would IMHO improve the composition (with the woman and man in the foreground together 'bracketing' what's going on in the middle)

- if you choose a standard 3x2 format, then there's not much could can do with cropping** (unless this is already a crop and you have more room on right); if you choose a non-standard crop, then you can crop more tightly on the woman on the left (to get the 'bracketing')*

* depending on how you post-process photos/images, you may be able to copy/paste or insert a non-standard crop into a 'standard 3x2 blank canvas'; similarly, you might be able to 'blank out' the words '11.30' and 'Calgary' which would make the background less busy

** if this is the original photo, then it might be wise for similar photos to have a 'wider frame' (allowing more room for possible cropping left, right, top and bottom)

Again, I apologise for my 1st comment. This one is more typical of my (generally positive) feedback. I look forward to your next request for critique!

Kind Regards,

Mike

23 hours ago, mikemorrellNL said:

Why are you requesting so many critiques?

IMHO this photo is a well below average photo of an event. One that I would throw away. I suggest you post only photos that you consider your best or that you would like specific feedback on.

mike

 

 

[satya_v_rao]

19 hours ago, mikemorrellNL said:

Hi @satya_v_rao, I apologize for my cynical and negative comment below. It's not typical of my feedback to any post. I must have been in a really impatient and grumpy mood. Unfortunately I reacted too quickly and didn't reconsider. I'm glad that other members gave much more positive feedback. Let me add mine.

First off, I've taken similar photos too,  which I've kept (and not thrown away!). Because they remind me of an event, an atmosphere, etc.  Looking at your photo again (less impatient and less grumpy 😉) I now see many positive points:

- I like the 'action' (dancing) in the photo and the way the young girl expresses 'fun' and 'pleasure' at the event

- I'm not sure if there was any music at the event but the two people clapping on the left show that there's a definite 'rhythm' to the dance

- the two women in the background are fine to show that this was a 'spectator event'

In terms of possible improvements:

- the photo could IMHO be slightly brighter which might better express a 'fun, happy' event

- the two men in the background (far left) are the 'odd men out' for me in that they look less interested in the dance; if you could crop these 2 men out, it would IMHO improve the composition (with the woman and man in the foreground together 'bracketing' what's going on in the middle)

- if you choose a standard 3x2 format, then there's not much could can do with cropping** (unless this is already a crop and you have more room on right); if you choose a non-standard crop, then you can crop more tightly on the woman on the left (to get the 'bracketing')*

* depending on how you post-process photos/images, you may be able to copy/paste or insert a non-standard crop into a 'standard 3x2 blank canvas'; similarly, you might be able to 'blank out' the words '11.30' and 'Calgary' which would make the background less busy

** if this is the original photo, then it might be wise for similar photos to have a 'wider frame' (allowing more room for possible cropping left, right, top and bottom)

Again, I apologise for my 1st comment. This one is more typical of my (generally positive) feedback. I look forward to your next request for critique!

Kind Regards,

Mike

 

Hi Mike never mind. First of all I have not felt bad for you to apologize. I just thought I have annoyed you. But then, your detailed review is indeed very nice. Yes my idea was only to show the happy atmosphere, where people of different ages are dancing and the onloookers are tapping and enjoying. There was music too. Passersby are also joining the dance. Everyone is enjoying and overall a pleasant scene.  All this in spontenity.  All your points are facts and plus one more:: I could not leave any foreground. I am thankful to you for your kind review. Believe me such reviews are a great source of inspiration. Yes I keep posting for critique. Regards

[satya_v_rao]

On 12/29/2022 at 4:50 PM, T. R. Tinker said:

You're welcome - and if I were to simplify my comment, I'd have left it at "the background detracts from the subject(s)".  Seeing beyond the subject to what's in the background was one of the harder things I had to learn when I started taking candid photographs, and the landfill is littered with the Kodak film prints I threw out.  But I didn't throw them all away because some were good to keep around to remind me of my mistakes.

You are absolutely perfect and right. Yes, there are too many distractions in the background. But then I have not done much post processing.  Thanks for your kind comments.

[satya_v_rao]

22 hours ago, JDMvW said:

All the same, seeking improvement or not, in shotgunning a bunch of images, the chance of getting useful responses is inversely related to the number and quality of the posted images.

Thanks a lot

[satya_v_rao]

21 hours ago, samstevens said:

If there were reason to salvage this image, with some finely-tuned post processing, the most potential I see is in the young bending girl with the nicely-lit smiling face. More of a story could be created around her as a subject. As for the background, if there were more compelling interest in the foreground, it would simply be a natural street background and wouldn't have to be much of a distraction. If the story here is in the dancers, the lighting is a problem since the main light capturing our eye is way off in the back and the white of the van takes on a lot of prominence. One reason the light on the girl's face might have worked is because it highlights her in an otherwise shadowy foreground. But even with the current lighting, if you'd timed the shot when fewer backs were turned toward you, the photo might have wound up with a bit more interest and good energy. Action shots like this rely a lot on timing, so watch people's movements and consider what's actually going to get stilled when you snap the shutter. While you're experiencing the overall scene, your camera won't necessarily capture that feeling unless you position yourself effectively and time your shot to capture the most of what's being offered. I think it's ok to keep posting whatever you'd like. Thankfully, you have that option as we all have the option of responding or not. 

Your comments are accurate.Except the happy atmosphere, there is not much. But the reviews from each one of you have given me lot of introspection and knowledge.Thanks  and regards