Classic car guy

[JayBerg]

I am not good at people photos. I had been watching this fellow for a while; finally he went to get a coffee and I 'shot' him.

Looking at the photo I wonder if I should have included his hands into the photo? Should the photo be cropped more?

I still like the shot but tell me what you think.....tks

Nikon D90
focal length 200mm
Exp. 1/200
f/8
WB auto
AP

[Hill Country Hack]

I was just reading a thread about the very subject you asked about. Convention dictates the elbow is the general cut off. I do think the capture would be more appealing if cropped above the elbow or the hands included. Heck, I bet that guy may have had some interesting in on those hands.

Otherwise I dig it.

[JayBerg]

Tks Country...I'll bet the hands would have been interesting....still the picture makes me smile every time I look at it...tks

[Doug Sundseth]

Since you mostly asked about composition:

Cropping the subject's arms where you did isn't ideal; I'd recommend cropping between elbow and shoulder instead. (Assuming that recropping to show his hands isn't an option.)

IMO, there is too much negative space around the subject. You can get a very similar environmental effect with much less distraction from the subject by cropping more tightly.

You've placed the head of the subject dead center in the frame. I would recommend that you place the head in the upper right of the frame, since observers generally like to see space for the subject to move into. (Other choices are possible, but you should probably choose them for a specific reason.)

I'll also note that the midday light isn't doing you any favors here. The shadow of your subject's hat brim is hiding much of his face. In a situation like this, you might be able to get an even exposure with his face entirely in shade and then dodge in post or time out a reflection from a car, but I think you really need better light for his face.

[Nakean]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

Since you mostly asked about composition:

Cropping the subject's arms where you did isn't ideal; I'd recommend cropping between elbow and shoulder instead. (Assuming that recropping to show his hands isn't an option.)

IMO, there is too much negative space around the subject. You can get a very similar environmental effect with much less distraction from the subject by cropping more tightly.

You've placed the head of the subject dead center in the frame. I would recommend that you place the head in the upper right of the frame, since observers generally like to see space for the subject to move into. (Other choices are possible, but you should probably choose them for a specific reason.) The second is with the same crop you have and same high pass filter I talked about but with a vignette to isolate subject more.

I'll also note that the midday light isn't doing you any favors here. The shadow of your subject's hat brim is hiding much of his face. In a situation like this, you might be able to get an even exposure with his face entirely in shade and then dodge in post or time out a reflection from a car, but I think you really need better light for his face.

I second everything here! Great advice. Problem with cropping any further is you loose the context completely. Here was my best try putting where I would given your posted image. Can you post the original? Also, sharpening does wonders for making a subject pop. I ran a high pass filter through this image for a little extra umph..

[JayBerg]

The photo I submitted is actually the original with no changes made.

Doug, I like your suggestions and ideas.

Nakean, thanks for the work on the picture. I like the outcome.

With your input this is a great lesson in my efforts to become a better photographer. thanks a lot..........

[S_Sanyal]

Nice take Jayberg!

I'd crop out the yellow truck as it seems to take a lot of attention away. The head position and the open boot / hood in the background w.r.t. the man's head is classic. Dont lose that

[JayBerg]

Tks Sanyal...That is what makes photography so much fun. Even if a shot isn't technically perfect it can still elicit a good response.