A Bust

[Heatcliff]

{EDIT}
So, I took everyone's advice, and tried again, see post below
{EDIT}

Hey guys,

I would like to get your comments on the picture below:

Winter Bust


I'm mainly wondering what you think of the overall composition, as this is one of the first shots I ever made with a more photographic mindset.
The reason I took this photo was because of the 'classicness' of the Bust (which stands in front of the Law dept of our University), and the graffiti tag underneath. This coupled with the snow (which I find a fascinating substance :P) made me very excited to get something nice out of it.

The photo was cropped (and rotated slightly), additionally, I've corrected the histogram slightly to get better definition on the features of the bust itself.
I know I should ask a more specific area for you to criticize, however, as said, I'm fairly new at this, and I wouldn't personally know where to start :P

I hope everyone is ecstatic about the picture, but please, don't hold back, I can only learn from criticism from more experienced people.

[zona5101]

embedding the pic is more apt to get replys than a link...

[Heatcliff]

you are absolutely correct. The post is now edited and the photo is embedded.

[wheelibin]

I think if the bust is the main subject it needs to stand out a bit more, maybe with a smaller DOF or simply a different composition. I find it hard to see the edges of the head because of the things around it (the cross shaped thing in particular - a window?)

I'd love to have seen what it looked like if you had stood a few feet to the left and positioned the bust in the archway, I wonder if it would have framed it quite well?

[hage]

Would like to see the exif for this, but agree with above poster's comments. Hard to see edges on this. Would like to see more detail on the bust. Also, the post in the lower right is distracting to me. Possible to get the bust and building/arch without getting the post?

[Sterling]

I'd love to have seen what it looked like if you had stood a few feet to the left and positioned the bust in the archway, I wonder if it would have framed it quite well?

I agree. And doing this would also get the large brown object (garbage bin?) out of the frame.

[Heatcliff]

Thanks for the critique guys,
First off, I'm glad to see that the general response is not 'oh my god that's horrible'

Second, I agree with the composition. The bollard on the right side is a bit distracting, however cropping it would've made for a very small image. The left side of the original is just as distracting however, and aesthetically less pleasing in my opinion (a dirty flag pole and a traffic sign in the distance).

As for the weird cross thing, that's probably the windows in the background. Sadly I only noticed that when I downloaded the images from my camera at home.

As for the DOF, I really should do more research into this aspect. As said, I'm only just starting to learn, and I don't fully comprehend the science behind the focal lengths.

I think I'll go back to this spot on a later time, to get the composition a bit better.
In any case, I thank you for the tips so far, helps me greatly in learning to view objects and scenes in a different way.

Below is the shooting information for this shot:

Camera Model Name	Canon PowerShot SX110 IS
Shooting Mode   	Shutter Speed Priority AE
My Colors Mode 	Off
Tv (Shutter Speed)	1/160
Av (Aperture Value)	5.6
Light Metering	        Evaluative
Exposure Compensation	0
ISO Speed         	200
Lens	                        6.0 - 60.0 mm
Focal Length	        25.2 mm
Digital Zoom	        None
IS Mode	                On
Image Size	        3456x2592
Image Quality    	Fine
Flash                	Off
White Balance   	Custom
AF Mode           	Continuous AF
Parameters:
Contrast: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Color Space	        sRGB
Drive Mode        	Single-frame shooting

[Heatcliff]

So, a new year, a new start, and because it started snowing again, another chance at this particular photograph



I tried to incorporate everyone's advice. However, I couldn't get a nice DOF with the point & shoot I have (Canon SX110 IS). At the very least, I couldn't figure out how to do it.

I would love to see if you guys find this composition better, or if the surroundings of this particular object are just too aesthetically unpleasing...

I do have a different perspective, which can be found here: Winter Bust, different perspective

EXIF:

Camera Model Name	Canon PowerShot SX110 IS
Shooting Date/Time	1/4/2010 12:56:13 PM
Shooting Mode	Manual
My Colors Mode	Off
Tv (Shutter Speed)	1/100
Av (Aperture Value)	8.0
Light Metering	Evaluative
ISO Speed	200
Lens	6.0 - 60.0 mm
Focal Length	38.9 mm
Digital Zoom	None
IS Mode	On
Image Size	3456x2592
Image Quality	Fine
Flash	Off
White Balance	Custom
AF Mode	Continuous AF
Parameters	Contrast          Normal
	Sharpness         Normal
	Saturation  Normal
Color Space	sRGB
File Size	1974 KB
Drive Mode	Continuous shooting

[Heatcliff]

Wanted to bump this one more time to see what you guys thought of the composition, compared to the first shot. Is it better than the first one? and does this do anything for you?

If there aren't any responses, I will drop the matter and let the post sink into the long forgotten mist of old forum posts