Bo Didley

Please critique this portrait of an old master. Not much light to

work with.

In photos like this one, you mostly have to take what you can get and other than changing position, your options are limited. You did a fine job with what you had.

I think saying "you did a fine job with what you had" is an understatement. With the exception of the lady in the background (that could be stamped out) this is a great composition. The green and red work well together. You have both hands on the guitar and on the shot. Even though you don't have the whole neck in the shot the tighter crop adds more to the composition than would the empty space around the neck. There's a capo on the 3rd fret so his left hand wouldn't have gone up much further to help fill that part of the frame had you got the headstock in it. The exposure is right on. Even though he's wearing a hat there are no obstructive shadows on his face. The facial expression also adds to the mood.

 

Considering you're photographing someone who's probably not even paying attention to the photographers for most of the time (if not all) that they're there as well as lighting that is not under your control and constantly changing this is a great shot. I think it could use a little more contrast though.

 

Oh and having such a recognizable figure helps too :)

I like it. It's a very good shot. The lady in the background is the band's bass player.

I've had the opportunity to photograph Bo Diddley during performances a couple of times. He makes it pretty well known that he doesn't like to be photographed.

Looking at the background, it looked like it was shot at a county fair or similar venue. The light was working to your advantage. It's a very good shot of an American Musical legend.