Old time meal

[Izzy]

CANON EOS DIGITAL REBEL
1/160sec
F7.1
ISO200
97mm

Is there a way that I could have improved this image?

[Laurenbiz]

I would suggest re-shooting from a different angle. The wooden post is smack-dab in on top of your subject.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by Laurenbiz

I would suggest re-shooting from a different angle. The wooden post is smack-dab in on top of your subject.

+1

it really kills the photo.

[Izzy]

It is an integral part of the entire environment (civil war reenactment - I'll have them come back and see if I can "shoot it again from a different angle"). It was either this angle or none at all.

[DivotMaker]

My first question would be, What were you attempting to convey?
There are a number of interesting ideas here, but until you mentioned the Civil War reenactment..it wouldnt have entered my mind (to be honest here)

My second question, because of your reply, would be: Do you mean at the time you took the photo, or post processing?

Clarification on those two, would enable more specific answers to your question.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by DivotMaker

My first question would be, What were you attempting to convey?
There are a number of interesting ideas here, but until you mentioned the Civil War reenactment..it wouldnt have entered my mind (to be honest here)

My second question, because of your reply, would be: Do you mean at the time you took the photo, or post processing?

Clarification on those two, would enable more specific answers to your question.

My intention was to portray the scene as a whole, so the subject is from edge to edge. I suppose it is easier for me to see because I was there. It is possible that the whole premise has been lost because there is not enough of the environment in the picture. Which is why I have received the crit that I have so far. This picture would probably look more at home on a civil war re enactment web site. Then at least we would have context.

The only shot comment was at the time of taking. The scene otherwise was crowded with non era people. This was a very busy section of the whole event. The only PP was a quick adding of the "Matt's 300" preset in soft mode.

Thanks for your questions and inquiring enough to help me work through what was missed here.

[tingeliM]

If this is trying to portray the people and their doings (as I would assume from this being in the People-critique section), I don't think you succeeded very well. The wooden bowl seems to be the main object. Maybe you could've tried aiming for those hands chopping things from a different angle with the environment blurred in the background?