'Happy Holiday'

This effusive, large woman is selling these herbs for tying in bundles to

celebrate a church holiday, now recently past, as part of an Eastern

European tradition, and she overflows with 'good spirits' (not of the

alcoholic variety) to have her street portrait taken. Your ratings and

critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly, very

critically, or just wish to post a comment, please submit a helpful and

constructive comment; please share your photographic knowledge to

help improve my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

If you have any interest, please note the window reflections; look for a replica of this woman's portrait as I'm capturing it here (without me depicted) in the window, and imagine how it got there, as I'm still wondering.

john

John (Crosley)

A beautiful shot, very nicely composed, John!

Thank you very much.

When I have time, I spend a great deal of time, thought and especially effort on composition, and as much or more time and thought when I choose photos to post here on Photo.net or elsewhere.

Note here, twin diagonals, but one ends in a curly end, the other is not strictly ending at a corner, both intersect with her mouth, a kiss and a spray of plants where they transition from green to reddish/purplish.

In other words, although it is strongly composed, it is not so strongly composed that the composition seems 'overbearing' I think and thus I hope seems somewhat 'natural'.

I'm glad all that effort shows (to you at least).

Thank you for taking the trouble to remark on that.

john

John (Crosley)

John, I noticed the diagonals only when I read your comments. I find it a good triangular composition, the triangle formed by the skin colors. The point of interest, her gesture and the expression, is at the apex lending a feel of stability and strength to her character. The triangle is off-center in the frame but balanced by the green curls which only support the story and not form the main part of it.

Compositions are not intended to be noticed but lend a character to the image.

Good for you for noticing, but also noticing that the composition of diagonals did not overwhelm this photo.

It's certainly far from my best, but it's a good exercise.   In a way it's almost an array of diagonals or lines emanating from the 'center' or 'centermost' to the edges including the diagonals of which you write, including the mind's extension of the herb-like substance she holds which may be rhubarb, but also may be a special herb of religious ceremonial importance (or both).

I'm happy to welcome your comments; please don't let this one be your last.

john

John (Crosley)