Taste of Chicago - Duo

What feelings and reactions may this image bring to you? Even though

I'm more or less proud of this one and of my more recent B&W

snapshots, I'd like to know your opinions. Thanks a lot!

I'd like to see less clutter in the background. Without the man and women behind these girls they would stand out more. This photo would also be improved with the sun falling on their faces; that means that you have to reposition yourself. Why did you use a red filter?

There's no challenge either visually (on my end) or technically (on your end). There's no metaphor, no special insight and nothing newsworthy. The light is flat and boring, the background offers no subtext or counterpoint, and I don't think either of these women are famous. Their not even eating Chicago style hotdogs. This picture could have been made anywhere in the States from Miami to Montana. Can you offer some compelling reason why you 1) took this picture and 2) exhibited it?... t

No need to be this brutal here. To answer your questions, I took the photo, got it developed and posted it in the critique forum because I'm interested in learning (not to become a pro, I already have a day job). After taking this snapshot I wound up viewing a series of Street Photo books, and I noticed that most street photography is done with a wide angle lens and showing some elements that provide information about the circumstances of the image. I'm applying those principles to my current photos (when I have the chance to take some). I would have appreciated your comment a lot more had you been kind enough to suggest doing this instead.

"I would have appreciated your comment a lot more had you been kind enough to suggest doing this instead."

but it seems you already knew "this". Why should I tell you what you already know?

This picture seemed pointlessly rude to me, and I didn't even get to that. When I am at an event, either as a professional or as an observer/participant, I refrain from taking pictures of people while they are stuffing hamburgers in their mouths because it's rude. I doubt these women would appreciate it and I don't see any redeeming qualities in it, either. In my initial post, I told you why. This type of photograph is why people generally are hesitant to be photographed by "street" photographers. They are made to look foolish when they are actually just trying to enjoy life. And to what end? So you can learn?

Perhaps you should learn that good photo criticism isn't telling you what you already know, it's expressing an opinion about aesthetic and technical attributes of a photograph that the photographer may be unaware of. I made my case concerning the shortcomings of this photograph and your decision to make and exhibit it. And I'm sorry you're offended, but I'm sure you'll have more traumatic experiences in life and survive those as well.

Feel free to visit my pictures and be as rude, or critical, as you like.. t

I must admit you're right. This is not a flattering photo. As to the detail about the wide angle lens... No, I didn't know about it until a long time after I posted this photo. Your comments are not brutal, I'm simply not used to them. Sorry about overreacting. I'll delete this photo soon anyway.

Well I can't say "nothing surprises me" anymore... Thanks for getting past our ego/head butting, I really thought we might be wasting our time.

I'm glad you found something sensible in my tirade. So much of photo.net criticism is just pandering or pointless factionalism, I sometimes over correct. Thanks for having an open mind and tough skin, both attributes that are hard to come by and good to have...especially for an artist!... t

gluttony is a sin...

don't see much art in this one

It looks like from the compression of the background that this was taken more towards the 300mm end of your lens,no? The reason why most street photography is taken with wider angle lenses is because that type of lens tends to put the viewer there with the photographer.  Long lenses just make it look like you were as far away from being with your subjects as possible. It's ok for journalism and sports where you just can't always get as close, but not so great for urban street photography.

 

So, keep shooting, maybe try getting  a 35mm on your camera or a 50 and work with that for a while.  For a while you will probably shoot anything that gets in your view finder, people passing by and think that will be "street" photography.  I and everyone I know has their share of that.  But stick with it, and you will began to see what creates an interesting photograph and find people that are interesting.  Geometry on the streets, puns, and especially the interplay of light even meet people and take their portraits, a growing genre within street photo, also learn how post processing effects your photographs.  Check out the Street and Documentary forum here.  Have fun, it's just snaps:)