Candid street shot

[robert1083]

Any ideas on how I can improve this image? I like the photojournalistic feel of the shot, but is there some way I could make it more dramatic? Thanks!

From Robert's Updates

Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: 5.0
Focal Length: 145mm
Flash Used: No

[willisbretz]

Hey Robert,

Your shot is definitely a decent snapshot. I see you mentioned you like the photojournalistic feel of the shot. I worked as a photojournalist for a couple years, and just thought I'd point out a couple things.

Remember, as a photojournalist, your job is to tell a story through photographs. When I look at this shot, I find myself wanting to know more and asking questions like, "Where are they?", "What are they talking/arguing about?", and "What is that in the background?". These are questions that you can answer by making a couple adjustments and repositioning yourself.

As a photojournalist, you want to be so wrapped up and involved in what your shooting to (without becoming part of the story of course) so your readers/viewers feel like they are there. Get up close and personal with your subjects. It is important with with a shot like this to see the expressions and passion on your subjects face(s). These women almost seem like they're having an intense conversation and seeing those kinds of things in a photograph make it all the more interesting.

Also mind your backgrounds and depth of field. Although it's easy enough to see who the main subjects are in your photo, I find myself distracted by the two individuals who have their backs turned to the camera. The large hat pulls my attention away from the faces of the main subjects. When you're shooting up close, open your lens up as much as possible to give yourself a low enough depth of field to blur the background out (if it has no significance to the shot). These women seem to almost get swallowed up by the distracting background.

Lastly, cropping the shot a little tighter may help with focusing more on the women. I would crop out the left side of the photo where the man's arm is and all the way down to near the top of their heads. That would limit how far/much my eye could wonder away.

I hope I've given you some useful information, and that I haven't discouraged you from going out and taking another crack at it. I love photographing people and you can find some interesting characters as you have in this particular shot!

All the best,

-Willis
WILLIS BRETZ P H O T O G R A P H Y
Blog

[willisbretz]

Originally Posted by Jayhpm

I should say Willis is great. You should follow whatever he has mentioned.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge willis. I had a learning session too :-)

Anytime Jay! Glad I could help.

[robert1083]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I was more composing the shot with the simple rule of thirds and not thinking about what the story is.