Broody..

Thanks

Makes me wonder whats on his mind ? .....Did his Ex wife Just walk in ......well done evokes thoughtful ponderance of ideas ....

I think a good portrait, with an very interesting expression of model. Perfect DOF and exposure. Good work.

Thanks for your comment. Regards,

Technically, I like the exposure on this - nicely lit even with the strong back-lighting. The slanted vertical bothers me a *tiny* bit, but not enough to ruin the appreciation of the shot. I like the expression. Kind of like when you go to a restaurant and are enjoying the relaxation, and don't really care how long it takes the wait staff to come to get your order. Nice!

What's he thinking about...?Very nice scene with good exposure and pleasant mood.

Cheers,Jim

Estupendo retrato.Magnifica composicion, encuadre y mirada captada.

 

Saludos -Tolo.

Very good portrait, I love colors and details on the skin.

 

Regards.

 

Alberto

Pleasant looking guy--looks a bit impatient though. I like the artsy background in this seemingly casual shot. The blurred faces/blurred people in the back lend the background a painterly look, and the tilted columns work well with the diagonal, giving this multi-dimensions.

I would agree with Donna that his pleasant exterior has signs of tension, given his clenched hands and his slightly tight expression. I love the surroundings. Anticipation....

Jeffrey, as far as I know he has a wife not an Ex....Thanks for your written impression...;-))

 

A. thanks as well.

 

Lou Ann, thanks for your nice evaluation. Relaxation is always needed , with the hectic life pace

 

Jim, there is a lot to think of where we live...

 

Tolo and Alberto, thanks both of you for liking and commenting.

 

 

Donna,I liked the BG tilt, contrasted to his face direction.

 

Jeff,your profession of observing people is a part of you also while observing a photo...;-)) Anticipation is a nice evaluation.

 

Thanks again all of you.

Good composition! Really good bg and sharp focus. I like the tilted view.

And life goes on...what's next? A very good composition and capture of expression,Pnina.

For me he's looking for a girl!...Ciaomau!

Terrific portrait! ;)

Very natural, straight forward over the table lunch time shot with great result. Compliments, El

what I emjoy most is the natural, relax, waiting mood...personaly I don't see sadness, he's probably just in his mind...as you know I very seldom suggest some cropping but here I think the portrait would benefit by slightly cropping the top to reduce the proportion of highlights compared to the overall image (above the BG people's head)...

Hi Pnina!...Great capture...Details and sharpness!!!....Regards.

For your kind comments.

 

Laurent, I think you were right about cropping a tiny bit from the upper part, I did it and changed to the cropped version( takes time to show...) but I upload the first version here . Thanks for your good advice.

 

you are right that he looks just relaxing after a long work period....

 

 

while his look and posture look nice enough, for me that's about it. It's a very messy and frankly not well considered composition, a very slanted perspective that, although it in some cases can add value here it does the opposite. It's a photo all of us at times make when going to dinner as a kind of memory of the occasion. That's exactly what this feels like to me.

Fair enough critique that I accept in part. It is a memorable event in my family, and I like the tilted BG , even though I cropped it a bit as suggested by Laurent , (but PN does not upload the change, more than 24 hours.. so I have uploaded the corrected one again and see what happens).I don't think it is a masterpiece Tone, it is a bit crowded as was the place, and I still wanted it in my folder.

 

As usual with critique some will like it and some not, and it is acceptable both ways .Always tell me what you think as I'm open to hear, sometime learn as I'm here to develope , and I do the same to others., (you included), even if I will be a minority and even if you will not invite me to a blonde ....LOL... Thanks

Interesting discussion. My reaction is similar to Ton's. I've had several discussions with Jeff about snapshots. Sometimes the word "snapshot" is used pejoratively, simply to mean it's not a very good photo, doesn't have the feel of art. Some photographers, on the other hand, aspire to that snapshot look and do it well, elevating the snapshot to a spontaneous artlike feel. Also, "snapshot" should not only be a dirty word, because the snapshot is important to our family histories and memories and I am ever thankful for all the snapshots I have of loved ones, new babies in the family, milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. Those photos withstand the test of time. Nevertheless, I don't post those kinds of snapshots here, because they don't have meaning beyond the personal. I think art is and should be very personal but it also transcends that. I don't find this photo transcending.

 

I'll start with the tilt here. It's enough to be noticeable and not enough to be interesting or really make a statement. If you want to tilt a photo, do so, by all means. This tilt doesn't feel committed, it just feels like the camera wasn't held straight. His look is just an everyday look. On a certain level, if we want to stop and analyze anyone's expression at any time in any situation, there will be things we can say about them and things we can wonder about them. That doesn't mean every look is a good one to make a photo work. This look is just not compelling to me. Nor is the lighting, which does not give this man any particular life or energy.

 

I actually think the background does have a compelling feel to it. Even in being busy, there's a quality to the movement going on and the engagement of the people with each other that could be visually moving. It's just that the main subject is so disconnected in feeling and technique from those people that there is no connection or even intentional disconnect. It's just, here's this guy and, oh, here's the background. It's possible to consider ways in which the subject and the surroundings could work together better, stylistically as well as emotionally. But I'm not sure the main expression can ever be overcome.

thanks for your reply. You know me well enough by now that I do indeed say what I think or feel, whether I'm right or wrong or other people think different doesn't matter that much in the end as long as it's based upon honesty, which it is. I know you to be as honest on my work as well. People giving honest critiques on my work is something I always appreciate.

 

As for a blonde one, always ready to share.

Thanks both of you. As I have already answered Ton, I will answer you Fred , but it will be for both of you.

 

I agree with you Fred about family photographes, I don't usualy upload them here because I see them as a private matter , usually also not artistic creation, more for the family history,and not interesting to others. In my 7 years here this is an exception, I wanted this one in my folder, at least for a while, and I have my reasons.

I have asked for critique and recieved some that liked it and you two wrote your critique and reservation, and it is accepted ! But, we have as well different ideas about composition and evaluation, ( it will be really boring if we will always think alike....;-)), so here is what I think of this one. and it was planed not so much a snapshot ( even if it looks like one), as I was ready. I liked the diagonals in the FG and behind his back, that brought tension vs. his quiet position , I liked his being in his own world detouched from his surrounding that was very much alive as the blured people behind him presents.I liked the tilted BG vs, his different direction of gaze. I liked the reflection and setting of the table in the FG again vs. his accentuated presence in the composition. I have found the difference between his posture and the strong backlight( his not being a silhouette) a good contrast. all this with my personal reasons has been my decision to upload it to my folders.

 

I thank both of you for your honest evaluation, you can agree to my reasoning, or not, I will still respect your honesty, and think of your reservations.

 

Ton, next year I have a planed convention in Holland, then ,if I will attend, we can share a blonde....;-))

excellent exposure. i love the background. he's alone and he's not.

Good expression and gesture. Nice dof. Regards