priorities (2 images)

[lfc1892]

quite liked the fact that everyone in the scene in looking up and to our right, and yet the kid only has eyes for his food. think I prefer this crop, as although the end guy on the right seems disparate to the family on the left, he is performing the same action which sort of ties him in and adds to the whole everyone looking the same way thing. not too keen on the tall shape crop of the one below either. my question is, which works best and does it work as a shot for you at all?




thanks for looking

[AlexMonro]

Nice idea, well seen, & it made me smile. I think the second one works best.

[lfc1892]

thanks for the comment, Alex. nice to know it made you smile.

[RovingMike]

Think the crop works best for me, but the rest is also a shot. Very subtle meaning to it though, so not really a solid keeper for me.

[lfc1892]

thanks for the comment and reply, Mike. I'd love to be able to send a message in my shots, but it's incredibly difficult. I guess reading up on it and practice is the only way forward. Apologies in advance for all the naff shots on the way ;-)

[RovingMike]

thanks for the comment and reply, Mike. I'd love to be able to send a message in my shots, but it's incredibly difficult. I guess reading up on it and practice is the only way forward. Apologies in advance for all the naff shots on the way ;-)

No, you are trying to learn one of the hardest things. There's a guy who'se name I can't remember who is lying second in something or other, who does stunning seaside dawn shots. Apart from some landscape skill (which I would in no way demean), there is far more formula that can be applied to that and is arguably easier to learn than what you are trying to do. Ditto the people doing roses, arboretums, airshows etc.
That's why people like HC-B are globally revered and Heather Angel, Charlie Waite and a lot of other top drawer people probably never will be.
To reflect life in a distinctive way, you need to be out there in it and with your eyes open and camera ready for days, weeks, months, years. Even then your strike rate will be far lower than anyone lying second in any league. The best street / reportage people see a shot before it happens, but what they miss would still fill a gallery any day.

[Ednewbie]

Initially I preferred the second shot but, after looking at them for a while, I definitely like the first one better. I think there's something about the shared relationship of the three adults that works well. All four of them have interesting "poses".

Nice one.

Ed

[RovingMike]

I think there's something about the shared relationship of the three adults that works well. All four of them have interesting "poses".

But that is not the point I think he is trying to make. With three adults and especially the one on the right, you hardly bother to look at the kid or connect what he is doing with the adults.

[Geren]

I think the first one invites the viewer to wonder what it is that has captured the attention of the adults. The child is incidental. With the crop, we're guided to recognise that there's a wee story going on here - the child's attention hasn't been grabbed at all by whatever it is his companions are so interested in because he's all about the food. Having said that I think it's a shame that the crop had to be so tight - it would have been perfect for me if that bloke hadn't been sitting there at all allowing you to crop, but with a bit of legroom.

[GlynT]

I prefer the second... have you ever heard of the 'odd rule'? It says that odds always work better than evens in photos 3 is better than 2 or 4, 5 is better than 4 or 6... etc...

I think that's why the second one works better....

[lfc1892]

Thanks for the input guys.
Will keep plugging away at it, Mike. I do enjoy other types of photography, and have tried most sorts, with varying degrees of success over the last couple of years, but street photography and candid shots fascinate me. I think it's their ability to engage on a cerebral and emotional level as well as a visual one. Your words are a relief and an encouragement at the same time and are most appreciated, as always.

Thanks for the reply, Ed and glad you like the shot.

Geren, thanks for the reply. Would have gone for an alternative crop but this was taken on a Sunday at the German Christmas Market in Brum on a Sunday and it was heaving. Had to stand and wait for a good minute to get a clear shot and couldn't really move about too much, sadly. Will have a play with the shots to see if I can squeeze more breathing room. It was only a quick crop so I may be able to clone some space out.

Glyn, thanks for the input and comments. I know the rule that you mention, and mostly it applies nicely, but for me, it's a guideline and quite often, even numbers can work pretty well too, especially with people. But I can see why you prefer the second. Will post a new version of the second with more room if I can conjure some up.

[lfc1892]

Probably about the most I could squeeze out of the second version with regards to space around the subjects...

[RovingMike]

I prefer the second... have you ever heard of the 'odd rule'? It says that odds always work better than evens in photos 3 is better than 2 or 4, 5 is better than 4 or 6... etc...

I think that's why the second one works better....

The "rule" is more complicated than that. The first one is actually 3 and 1, so odd, but remove the right guy and I think you still get 3 because of extra attention to the kid. 2 works fine if there is a clear relationship, or spatial distancing. It really covers things with fairly even weight and prominence.

[RovingMike]

If it is "street" and not any factual reportage, even the best people have been known to make it happen, rather than wait for it. If you get to see the rest of Diane Arbus' roll wasted on this guy, you realise it was only when he reacted to her bugging him that she got anything approaching a shot.