Experiment: City life metaphor

[S_Sanyal]

D90 with 18-200 VRII lense
Exposure-0.25 sec (1/4); Aperture-f/3.5; Focal Length-18 mm; ISO Speed-400



Hello everyone. After nearly a year behind a viewfinder honing technical ability..I decided to get a bit more experimental.
I made this picture to portray a part of citylife I see, where I pass through. I wont divulge any details or story at this point.

I really want to know what the viewer sees here; whether the composition / idea have an impact and the feeling you get. HINT: Chains are integral to the idea.

Any critiques on technique, lighting , composition are welcome as well.

Thank in advance.

[S_Sanyal]

?? Nothing to add

[mwanafunzi]

just two points.

First: The image just isnt interesting.
second: It was not obvious that those are chains.

[S_Sanyal]

hm...
thanks for viewing and replying mwanafunzi
hopefully i'll get some more feedback...

[Browno]

Hi, please bear in mind I'm no expert and am just starting out in photography but I saw you were asking for more feedback so here are my thoughts.
It looks to me like the people are all hurrying to get on a boat maybe at night ? If this is correct I think it's a bit too dark and too far away to capture the hustle and bustle properly. I like the idea though.
As for the chains, like mwanafunzi said I couldn't tell what they were until you said. In better lighting I think they would add to the picture/story but also I think they might make an interesting picture themselves, maybe filling the frame up with the rows of links.
I hope this was usefull to you, just my thoughts as a newby.

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks browno. Its very useful to get feedback like you have provided.

Your perception of hurry is spot on. I'll keep th eother points in mind when I shoot in similar conditions myself.
Thanks again.

[Browno]

You're welcome and I'm glad my opinion was useful to you. It also helps me to learn by studying and critiqueing other peoples posts and knowing that I'm not talking rubbish is good to know. Especially from someone like yourself who I have seen posting some very good work.

[Chip]

My quick take:

I like the blurred/featureless people combined with the chains and the hurried activity near the boat (assuming it's a boat). (And I think the dark mood fits the photo, too.)

But, all these features are too small and therefore lack impact. If you can retake, try getting closer to the boat and still fit the boat, people and chains in the shot. It should have much more impact.

Good, creative photo.

[philip_b]

Add me to the list of people that didn't know those were chains. I thought it was very rippled sand on a beach. Overall the image seems more like a snapshot than anything else. What is the purpose of the orange tint?

[S_Sanyal]

Browno, I'm glad I could help in your learning process.

philib_b, i'm very sorry to know that you see just a snapshot here. i'll try to do better next time.the yellow cast is from halogen lamps, which is the natural colour of the scene..it makes it a bit moody because of that.one of my very choices for shooting it..but from your remarks, I'm inclined to think that we are at aesthetic contradiction

Chip, thanks for your feedback, I'll remember the points you mention, they will be very useful to me when I shoot again here... thanks for appreciating the idea. I'll hopefully perform better the next time.

Now for the concept behind this, anyone is welcome to contribute with their ideas about how better to portray it...

What happens: Our urban lives are spent, to a large extent, on being in transit. commuting. This is a jetty where people are boarding the ferry. the chains in the foreground are meant to morph into the people who are, in a way, complete prisoners to time and their routine lives..the overall lighting lends it that contemplative mood in the brief moment of silence and waiting which anyone who commutes on a daily basis experiences

any bright ideas on how to make a picture representing all the above , in this situation...

We have unanimously agreed that the first "bright" idea is to expose the picture better and brighter. what about composition and exposure..?other aspects..PoV etc..any inputs are welcome, thanks in advance.