Why is he amused?

[Bruce A]

I think I could hazard a guess.

Here's another 'snaphot' I took while we were on vacation at Byron bay. There were quite a few people on the beach and on the water's edge which I cloned out as it made the scene too busy. I feel this makes a great candid shot, but as I know the rule of thirds can be broken if need be, does the framing here work okay with a subject on each side of the scene? And do the cut off feet spoil the shot?


couple_on_beach2 by banphotography, on Flickr



Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture f/5.3
Focal Length 95 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[loppen]

Hi
I think this is a great shot, well done capturing the moment. I think I know why he looks so happy.
I find that the framing really works well. The interaction of the subjects gives the picture 'tension' (I don't know if that is the correct word).

The more I look at it however the more it bothers me that he is cut of right at the ankles, if only he had been a bit closer to or further away from the camera.
Also there are some soft edges around his nose and her shoulders, that bother me. I suppose its from the post processing.

[Bruce A]

Thanks Loppen, yes I had a time of it removing all the beach goers. Some were in the background intruding on the edges of the two subjects, that's most likely causing those soft edges you mentioned as well as lightening his face a little. I wasn't too happy with myself for cutting off the feet, but it was a walking backwards quick shot to get that interaction.

[High_Speed]

I really like it. Could have been a spectacular shot had you not cut the feet off (in my opinion). Nonetheless, it's still a GREAT shot! Love it.

[Bruce A]

Thanx Hi Speed for the nice comment. Not cutting feet off is now indelibly stamped on my brain.

[High_Speed]

Had the feet not been cut off, I could see this as a comical ad in a magazine somewhere...but since the feet is cut off, I could see it as a long-living Internet Meme. I could help you start circulating it if you'd like. lol

[tanyanizam]

Would it help if you put a border around the picture the same colour as the shadow? Or something.

Her feet bother me, not his. Its such a good shot - his expression and what he's looking at. But yes, the feet are an issue. I dont think the distance between them is a problem. Its unusual and creates interest. If the sand were washed out it would have been a bad thing. But becuase it isnt, it works.

[HermanVonPetri]

But wait, his feet are in the photo - they're hanging from his backpack

Seriously, though, this is a very amusing photo. It does look like something that could be part of an ad campaign. Maybe used on a billboard or something like that.

[High_Speed]

I had to. Let me know if you want me to delete. I was just playing around...

[Bruce A]

Thanks all for your comments and advice.

High Speed - terrific!