Fun Fair

[SwissJon]

I was trying to create a photo that described the noise, movement and general mayhem of a fun fair. I chose the settings because after some experimentation I found that 2s gave me just the right amount of movement in the lights so that you could see the rides without "seeing" them. I also found that you could just make out the people, except for the guy on the mobile phone, who's clear.

So my questions here are basically:
What really bothers me about this photo is the lack of subject, or is it ALL subject? I'd really like your opinions on the overall impression if this photo, does it tell you a story or is it just a muddle?
Should I blur the guy in white on the phone that you can see clearly, to make him indistinct, or does his clarity add to the photo?
What about the crop, is it ok, or do you think I need to pull in closer? (Of course, if this is all a muddle with no clear story, then the crop may not be able to help)
What about the dark area centre front? Should I try to lighten it to slectively show the people?

Exif:

Camera: NIKON D7000
Lens: AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 16-85mm F3.5-5.6G ED
Focal length: 28*mm*(equiv. 42*mm)
Aperture: F11
Exposure time: 2"
ISO speed rating: 100/21°
Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Spot
Focus Mode: Manual
Image Stabilizer: Off
Noise Reduction: FPNR

[dvtldav]

I like the lights and the rides and the guy on the cell phone doesn't bother me, but the underexposed people in the foreground distract me so yes if you can do something with them it would help.

Dave

[milosh]

I also like the rides, and like Dave, my eye is drawn into the black area with people. It's like a black hole in there. lol
Also, I would like to see the guy on the cellphone blurred as well. This way, he's also acting as a magnet and ruining the cool motion of the crowd. That's how I see it. Btw, you should have shouted at him to move his ass from there.

[Krusty79]

Okay, I'm back from the General Chit Chat section and discussing the "rapture" and modern abstract art (which I don't get either).

If your subject is the general mayhem, then I think you have captured that with the moving people and spinning lights. It is a busy image. I can almost hear the music and smell the popcorn.

I would like to see you blur or remove the guy on the phone. Since he is the only one in focus, it looks like you selectively highlighted him for some reason. I don't think any cropping is needed.

Or maybe I'm wrong about all this and you could have expressed the mayhem of the fun fair by taking a shot of two red squares on a black background.

[Michael_2010]

Did you try using some fill flash just to see how it looked? I agree with everyone else about the guy in focus. Kind of makes the whole shot about that guy instead of the organized chaos of a fair.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

Did you try using some fill flash just to see how it looked? I agree with everyone else about the guy in focus. Kind of makes the whole shot about that guy instead of the organized chaos of a fair.

Where have you been? You haven't posted much lately.

The fill flash would "freeze" the people though, right? Do you think that would contribute more to the atmosphere than the blurred, dark people?

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Where have you been? You haven't posted much lately.

The fill flash would "freeze" the people though, right? Do you think that would contribute more to the atmosphere than the blurred, dark people?

Life gets busy, but I drop by and read pretty frequently. Plus, I can only see a few of the posted photos from my work computer and that is a little frustrating. lol

I like the blurred people, but they get lost in the darkness. Flash might not do the trick. It would have to be at a pretty low setting. Maybe one of the experienced strobists around here will have some ideas.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Okay, I'm back from the General Chit Chat section and discussing the "rapture" and modern abstract art (which I don't get either).

If your subject is the general mayhem, then I think you have captured that with the moving people and spinning lights. It is a busy image. I can almost hear the music and smell the popcorn.

I would like to see you blur or remove the guy on the phone. Since he is the only one in focus, it looks like you selectively highlighted him for some reason. I don't think any cropping is needed.

Or maybe I'm wrong about all this and you could have expressed the mayhem of the fun fair by taking a shot of two red squares on a black background.

Thanks Krusty.. That "General Chit Chat" section is kinda addictive!

The general mayhem was what I was after.. A funfair photo should, in my opinion, show movement and lights and people, it should reflect the emotions you remember as a kid or teenager going to these places, and you should be able to get lost in your memories of popcorn, candifloss and noise, if it provokes this response in you then I've captured what I was after.

I've had a play with the foreground.. I had a bit of an issue with the people directly in front of the camera bacause they were wearing black, but the rest of them I was able to selectively highlight a little on the other people with a dodge tool, bringing them forward.. The guy in white I created a copy layer and a layer mask in PS and used the burn to reduce his brightness and then added a strong motion blur filter, he now seems to be more or less a part of the crowd I think.

[dj-dubai]

you need some more flash i think picture is not clear but nice try and now Senior member will comments on this shot better for us

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by dj-dubai

you need some more flash i think picture is not clear but nice try and now Senior member will comments on this shot better for us

Uh..That was the point!! I didn't use flash, my intention was to make the people move with a long exposure and capture movement.