Why This Shot Doesn't Work?

[amr.ramadan]

Before I set to take this shot, I had a picture in mind of how I wanted it to turn out. It turned exactly like I had wanted, but sadly I don't like it. I still fancy the idea, a silhouette figure with an all-sky background, so I am interested to hear your thoughts on what you don't like in this shot (apart from the spikes at the bottom and the hammer he is holding; this wasn't a posed shot).

1/800, f/7.1, ISO 100.

[Thunderpup]

Actually, if you edited out the spiky stuff at the lower left, I would find the image intriguing. That stuff distracts from the focus of the man and hammer. Maybe a little more contrast, saturation and DOF. I think you are on to something good.

[RexK_Cozumel]

I find the complete silhoutte kinda distracting. I would like it more if there was just a hint of detail in there. as it is it looks more like a silhoutte photoshopped into the sky. also with the crop as it is the spikes are distracting because there is no context but if it was a little bit wider giving a bit more foreground on the bottom of the scene it would give a bit more context to the scene and add to the photo. Give a sense of what those spikes are connected to and what the person is standing on.

[Seaton519]

I agree with Cozumel, a more defined person would add interest to this. I also think trying to get more sky instead of cloud in the background help too. Otherwise it's a really intriguing photo and definitely has a message to tell. Good job!

[FrankenPengie]

Was this before any cropping? This might work well with a broader picture of the sky, focusing less on the individual.

[GEli]

It's also a bit unfortunate that the silhouette just happens to be set in the darkest section of the background. This really draws attention away from the man, and places it instead on the other silhouetted items that are set against lighter portions of the sky.

I also agree with what else has been said in this thread - either crop everything but the man out entirely (and preferably retake the shot with a clearer, brighter sky), or let more silhouetted items show to give context to the whole photo.

[starrylaurie]

I think not knowing where he's located adds to the intrigue. I think sometimes we add too much information and forget that our viewers don't always need things "dumbed down". Not every picture, mind you... but I like to look at pics and have to study them for a moment to decide upon them. Maybe I'm in a minority. (I seem to be often )

I would agree that the spiky things are distracting, yet somehow help "place" him... but I have a question.

Is this man on a roof? And are the spiky things wires? Hmm... just wondering.

[wulf]

I think the silhouette is too intense and, as a result, looks like it has been painted over the bottom of the picture rather than being taken in situ. The sky itself is not particularly interesting - it looks a touch underexposed to me and the form of the clouds doesn't particularly interact with the foreground.

You could either (if possible) return at a different time of day when there is a bit of sidelight to give some detail to the figure (flash may also help, if diffused or from enough distance that it doesn't make things harsh). Get the shot lined up and then take various shots, looking for skies that add more to the image. Alternatively, you could copy the silhouette and try pasting that on a different sky - even if you don't want that for the final result it would be an easy way to see how the background can change the mood of the picture.

Wulf

[amr.ramadan]

Originally Posted by starrylaurie

Is this man on a roof? And are the spiky things wires? Hmm... just wondering.

Yeah, this man is on a roof that was undergoing construction work. Sadly, I cannot retake the shot since I took it in another city. I stayed 30 minutes to get him standing up in this position, as most of the time he was working on "hammering" something.

Here is my second trial. This is as bright as the silhouette can be.

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by amr.ramadan

Before I set to take this shot, I had a picture in mind of how I wanted it to turn out. It turned exactly like I had wanted, but sadly I don't like it. I still fancy the idea, a silhouette figure with an all-sky background, so I am interested to hear your thoughts on what you don't like in this shot (apart from the spikes at the bottom and the hammer he is holding; this wasn't a posed shot).

1/800, f/7.1, ISO 100.

I hope you do not mind ,I think your photo is good and only needs to be croped to make your subject more of a focal point ,so I tried it and thought WOW this is a good photo croped , I did not touch anything else . i hope you like it .