A hug for patience

[souledout]

I took this outside of the Getty Museum in LA while waiting for the tram. (It's just random people, I have no idea who they are) Here's the camera info:

Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
Focal Length: 55.0 mm
ISO Speed: 220
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

Do you think the leading line of the railing works, or should I crop it out? Any suggestions on post processing? All I did was up the contrast a tiny bit.

[dcclark]

I'm afraid that the railing isn't a leading line at all -- I barely even noticed it, so it is at most a distraction (but not much).

My biggest concern is that the dark sweater/shirt/etc. is extremely dark, and seems to have no detail at all. I can't really tell what I'm looking at -- which way is the person pointed? Is that his arm on the left? With this little context and detail, it's really hard to tell.

Personally, I think that being this close for this sort of shot didn't work -- I can't really tell what's going on, even with the arms in the picture. Sorry! (This is, as always, just my 2 cents, value decreasing daily.)

[natek313]

I am not really sure what the subject is in the photograph. It is a little confusing to me.

Also, as was pointed out, the railing is not really a leading line. In order for it to be a leading line, it has to guide your eyes to your subject. The railing in your picture does not do that for me. This is a better example of how to utilize leading lines:



See how the railings and lines on the road guide your eyes to the subject (i.e., the car)?

Just as a suggestion: Given ideal surroundings, I would have fully framed the couple on the right-hand side of the photo (following the rule of thirds), and shot it from an angle (looking down the rail, perhaps?) that would have made the railing a guiding line. Of course, that would only happen if the rest of the surroundings in the photograph would have been acceptable.

Just my thoughts.

[wal]

confused of the subject, but the details are really good, brown thing on the left, a jacket..? blue handbag on the right. very clear, natek313 example is good, try using rule of third, it really helps.