Candid shot of a Couple

[kuul13]

Guys

Since I didn't get any response on SYS, I was compelled to post it here- lol! I know it must be missing lot of thing and is not at all perfect but love to know what do you think of the composition, lighting and exposure? Does b/w works here?

I took this picture at New Jersey Festival of Ballooning and it was very hot and very crowded.. it was an abrupt decision to click this lovely couple. I didn't have much time to set things up, as soon as I clicked the guy ducked. But still I got them together. Not sure if he is the distraction and I should crop so that I get only the lady?




Exif data

Camera Nikon D80
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/350)
Aperture f/13.0
Focal Length 135 mm
ISO Speed 160
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by kuul13

Guys

Since I didn't get any response on SYS, I was compelled to post it here- lol! I know it must be missing lot of thing and is not at all perfect but love to know what do you think of the composition, lighting and exposure? Does b/w works here?

I took this picture at New Jersey Festival of Ballooning and it was very hot and very crowded.. it was an abrupt decision to click this lovely couple. I didn't have much time to set things up, as soon as I clicked the guy ducked. But still I got them together. Not sure if he is the distraction and I should crop so that I get only the lady?

I think whether it works a an image vs whether it works as black and white conversion are distinct questions.

It's definitely an interesting shot, as candid street images go, the background is a little cluttered and a shallower DoF might have been helpful... I know it looks like a sunny day, but still... the SS could have been much faster to accommodate this.

as far as the conversion goes, it's not to my tastes. Too much grey, not enough black and white if you see what I mean. Leaves it feeling muddy and dark, and the tones between the busy environment and the subjects are too similar...

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I think whether it works a an image vs whether it works as black and white conversion are distinct questions.

It's definitely an interesting shot, as candid street images go, the background is a little cluttered and a shallower DoF might have been helpful... I know it looks like a sunny day, but still... the SS could have been much faster to accommodate this.

as far as the conversion goes, it's not to my tastes. Too much grey, not enough black and white if you see what I mean. Leaves it feeling muddy and dark, and the tones between the busy environment and the subjects are too similar...

Thanks Niresangwa!! You comment is perfect. When I see it from your angle I too feel the same. You are right, I should have gone for F3.5 to get better DoF and a much faster SS but I didn't have much time to do so. But I will keep it in mind for next time.

I should also play more with conversion technique to bring most out of the picture but not sure if I can do any thing different in this.. let me try. Thanks again for helpful critique.