Say Cheese

Comments welcomed. Thank you for viewing.

Simply put: I like it. This is the type of portrait that I *wish* I could take... simple, striking, and fun.

 

What makes this portrait work for me are the following:

 

1. The colours -- without them this photo simply wouldn't have the presence that it does here. In particular, for me its the relationship between the intense blue chairs, the bluish wall, and the verdant green top on the subject.

 

2. The light above the subject -- normally I'd critique this as glare, but here it works. Sure, it looks like the bounce of an overhead fluorescent light, but that's in keeping with the net 'effect' of the shot... it seems like it was shot [on the sly] in a really boring office somewhere.

 

3. The subject -- although I *might* have like to see the subject doing something else (preferrably something where I could see her face), the positioning of the subject in the shot is excellent. As mentioned above, I get the feeling of something shot in an office... as if the photographer and photographers were stuck waiting for something else to happen and decided to have some fun. This brings the photo alive -- the fact that the subject almost certainly shouldn't be standing on the chairs makes it quirky and engaging.

 

I have a few suggestions for alternate compositions that you might like to consider:

 

1. Pull back. A lot. The contrast between the bland institutionalism of the chairs and walls would then form a greater contrast with the illicit position of the subject. A horizontal composition would emphasise the resistance against conformity that makes this photo 'work' for me.

 

2. Pan down. Slightly. I think that including a bit more of the bottom edge of the chairs would also help. The subject's feet feel uncomfortably close to the edge of the frame, and I think that an extra little bit of chair would bring added depth to the photo.

 

3. Alternatives for the subject -- it's an off the cuff suggestion, but working with the idea of depth, what if [instead of holding a camera] the subject were interacting more with the photographer? Maybe leaning into the photo and sticking out her tongue [might be cliched] to preserve that non-conformity that I like but bring more life to the photo...

 

Still, I really like it.

 

jon

I dig this.

 

Nicely done.

well done

Interesting and eye-catching. (I agree with most of what Jon had to say.) Post some more images!

Leilani, I agree with Jon's wonderfully extensive comments (more people should comment like him). You really have a talent for spotting a great photo opportunity. Love it. M :)

Great color, composition, idea. love it. Well done and FUN.