B/W - While he wasn't watching...

[dellie]

Hello,

I'm new to the DPS forums, though I have been reading this site for a while. Great resource.

I would love a critique on the shot below. I am an amateur photographer and was just playing around yesterday. I captured this shot when he wasn't looking as everything else was too posed and not natural. What do you think? I edited it in Photoshop later and like the grain and how it appears quite black in the left. Did I do the editing justice? I think sometimes I may go too far.



In all honesty, while I had my camera off auto-mode, I did not fiddle with any settings - yes, I need to read the manual! I really like the composition and think it's framed well. I'm wondering if the shadow on his face from the hand is a no-no? If so, I'm wondering if I could of avoided this with proper light positioning?

My camera is a Canon EOS 50D and with a 18-200mm IS lens.

Here's the EXIF data (not sure if you need it all, but here it is!)
Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 1250
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off
Exposure Program: Aperture-priority AE

[emilav]

Hi dellie.

I'm new too. I have like a year and a half with photography, but not too much experience in people..

Anyway. This shot is nice. It looks great in BW. Also, the that he didn't look is very good. I agree with not natural pose. People are, stragely, afraid of cameras. Especially big ones with big lens ..
But, if you mentioned..I don't know if it is photoshop or focus, but the main subject looks a bit unclear. But it's nice.

[dellie]

Thanks emilav, I'll check the original shot and see which it is. I suspect it may be my photoshop. For some reason, I think I added blur. Actually, I'm pretty sure I did. Eeek, hopefully I kept the original PSD.

I like natural poses too. This captured my boyfriend perfectly, so I'm very happy with the results. It looks great printed too.

[emilav]

Here are some of my 'while they were not looking'.

http://emilav.wordpress.com/2009/01/31/people/

Actually, in the second photo, she was looking, but couldn't see I was there, because I was shooting throung a DVD stand )

[dellie]

A DVD stand?

I like the shots and the one were she is looking. It still comes off as natural.

Here are some more of my black and whites: http://modernemotive.com/blog/category/photography/

[Nathan deGargoyle]

very 40s/50s photojournaliste! I love it (apart from the logo on his jumper which kinda breaks the mood)

[emilav]

Yeah. DVD stand. It had a small hole just big enough for the lens to go through. I was perfectly hidden.

The Dog photos are pretty nice.
Zara's photos are just awesome. I'm in love ). Her images have that endless energy and that way of expressing in a chaotic, but expressive way, that you can only find in teenagers. I'm 19. I just hope it's not too late for me.

[dellie]

Thanks Nathan, very flattering. I did wonder about the logo. I'll edit it out. I already removed a button that looked overexposed once I start to play with adjustments.

Emil, yes Zara's work is stunning. I'm far past 16 or 19 but I still have hope. :P

[ncbcymtechie]

Originally Posted by Nathan deGargoyle

very 40s/50s photojournaliste! I love it (apart from the logo on his jumper which kinda breaks the mood)

Wow! I'm also getting the B&W film photography feel. In fact, I thought this was a "man on the street" photo from a ghetto-type area—until I scrolled down more and saw the Abercrombie moose logo.

But I love the photo! Nice job, really!

[dellie]

ncbcymtechie, ha about the logo. Too funny. But I'm glad to hear the intial impression you had. Made my day! When I was editing it I was thinking the whole time - take out the logo!!! It's definitely coming out tomorrow. Thanks so much for your words.

I'm going to have to look up B&W film photography to see what your talking about. See, total amateur. I do love B&W.