vuk_vuksanovic

very good idea, but just way too much negative space.

i'd like to see just a little more face and i don't think the toning is doing much for you. also doesn't look much like B&W film: what i mean is that it's missing the spatial complexity/atmosphere one typically finds.

i think this breaks the world record for minimum time between two decisive moments captured.

 

vuk.

carl.

 

the shallow DOF is not the problem (in fact, it's the obvious thing to do), the rendering of what's out of focus is. the bokeh here is busy, erratic and intrusive. instead, it should discreetly liquify into oblivion. this is why some people pay big money for leica glass (and the smart ones buy voigtlander or jupiter).

 

vuk.

ian.

 

i would really have loved to see a lot more of the coffee cup on the right, as it's a very meaninful element to the story. this is perhaps one time when you got in a bit too close.

 

vuk.

this is firmly among the best nature pictures i have ever seen. the translucence of the yellow leaves (upper left) completes the colour palette and is a majestic final touch.

 

btw--the rest of your portfolio suggests you are generally rather careless with your talent. what's up?

 

vuk.

the bird!

miguel.

 

photonet offers no end to laughs these days. if you can believe it, as i write, people are gushing over yet another lightning shot fit for decorating a geeky teenager's wall and, at the same time, giving this masterpiece ratings barely above the average. you've obviously not made the right connections here ;-)

 

vuk.

what elevates this picture to something sublime is that the dogs are actually lining up politely for something i expect would make humans abandon all social conventions.

 

vuk.

i know understand why this is brilliant.

 

vuk.

tony.

 

do you see what i see? please tell me rest of what's in the top left corner as worth nipping in the bud.

 

vuk.

tony.

 

the bokeh is ruining your otherwise excellent picture.

 

vuk.

the best part is how all 4 of them are looking at something different! the second best part is the guy's exposed sock: the tacky pattern makes it a lovely blue-collar jewel in the crown that is this image. it is also worth observing, while we're on the topic of clothes, how current urban "fashion" is completely at odds with this sort of photography: simply imagine the mess of waistbands, logos, blings and droopy jackets on today's kidz. there is actually a hint of things to come on the back of the rightmost boy.

 

not sure if there is more in ian's basement, but there are at least two shots in this folder that would make a nice gallery exhibit titled:

 

"mob guys with more important things on their minds than what they happen to be doing at the moment."

 

i am of course thinking of http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=868282 as an obvious partner.

 

vuk.

most of us who wander about the bad/industrial parts of town have faced simlar opportunities. i certainly have. i have also failed. very well done. vignetting is the perfect touch--in fact, it raises the pic to something quite sublime, as opposed to just very good.

 

vuk.

bernhard.

 

yes i know i'm really boring with my rotation advice, but please try this at 180 degrees: it will keep the viewer inside the frame (and a lot more).

 

vuk.

your mimes looks clumsily pasted in (5 times).

 

vuk.

n鳴or.

 

as you may know, i am a very blunt/harsh/honest critic and, to top it all off, here you are dealing with precisely my sort of thing. the capture is excellent and you obviously have a great eye. the mastering, although good, leaves a little bit to be desired (for one, the contrast is too real/pedestrian), but that's a secondary issue. you certainly got the first and most important part right.

 

cheers,

vuk.

laurie did nail it, but it was too late at that point: cropping is a sin, framing is the virtue. i will also add that making this vetical is another step forward.

 

vuk.

the toning is not necessary. the toning actually detracts from this very good shot by implying it was a necessary enhancement.

 

vuk.

robert.

 

i would prefer the dark bits to be a little darker, otherwise a very pleasant picture.

 

vuk.

i have a soft spot for nature pics that come across as abstractions. nice job (perhaps a 90 degree counter-clockwise rotation could be considered).

well done!

honest question for the photographer: do you really find the setting and lighting to be attractive here?

viktor.

 

i liked the "thumbnail" version, but when the pic gets big, i notice the unattractive/cheap tables and chairs that really interfere. given that this is practically a still life and that the documentary qualities of the scene are minimal, perhaps it would be cool to just arrange all of these things (whatever on earth they are) on some rugged old counrty table and have your way. just a thought.

 

vuk.

you know what. i would have looked at this (subject, not photo) and decided, although it was indeed interesting, it would be impossible to take a photo that didn't end up being too simple or too messy. well, you've somehow made it work.

 

cheers,

vuk.