Break Dancer

[photoetic]

http://www.photoetic.com/Random%20Photos/DPS%20Forum/Motion%20Artist_Forum.jpg (http://www.photoetic.com/2008/02/22/motion-artist/)

Hey all, this is my first time posting a critique, and second time posting a photo ever. I took this photo in New York, and post processed in Lightroom first, and applied the infamous "300" v2 filter, which made this look almost like a lomo shot, except with even less color. I applied some sharpening and noise reduction while raising the contrast some in PS. I would like to know what you all think of the filter i applied, the overall composition of the work, and whether you think the blur adds or detracts from the image (i could have used a higher ISO and achieved faster shutter speeds).

Thanks!

EXIF:
NIKON D40
F5.6
1/13
55 mm (equiv. 82 mm)
ISO 200

[wulf]

I like the effect of the processing so, in that respect, thumbs up from me.

The two particular points that might be worth changing or at least bearing in mind for similar future shots are:

1. There is a strong line near the top of the picture, which most people are standing just behind, which is skewed. I wonder if it would work better if this was rotated to sit horizontally (lining up the feet, with a couple of exceptions where people are standing forward)?

2. The break dancer's rear leg blends into the person standing behind him. Is it possible to slightly lighten the background at that point so they can be differentiated?

Love the blur effect though.

Wulf

[photoetic]

Wulf,

Thank you for your very useful critique! I also loved the blur effect.

I will keep in mind the composition for next time and try to square things up a bit more. To be honest, the shot was taken very spur of the moment, it was sort of live action, not much room to compose a shot (big crowd).

As for lightening the back leg in photoshop...i am not so skillful with PS yet, so any changes i would make would probably not be so subtle, and stick out like a sore thumb. But it would be fun to try my hand at it, any suggestions as to how to do this?

Thanks again!

[RexK_Cozumel]

I wonder if a bit of very light selective coloring will add to the photo. also will help differenciate between the breakdancers leg and the person in the background.

[photoetic]

I wonder if a bit of very light selective coloring will add to the photo. also will help differenciate between the breakdancers leg and the person in the background.

Thank you for the advice rexK!

I don't really know a good way to apply the changes you have both proposed in PS as i am still a beginner, but you make good points!

Thanks for the critiques and attention! :)