Complete Rejection

[bobby62914]

Canon 40D, Promaster 17-50mm f/2.8

Shot at 500ISO, 1/250 Second, f/2.8

This is one of my favorite basketball photos but nobody else seems to like it. What am I missing?

[MOmilkman]

I'd have to say its a pretty nice capture. Not always easy to be in the right spot for that kind of action. I guess the only thing I might suggest is bumping up your shutter speed a touch. It a sharp shot, but it might have gotten it a bit sharper with something like 1/500. Of course I'm far from expert in this category.
What are others not liking about it?

[Sime]

Yeah, I second that... great sports shot - what feedback do you get that is not to your liking?

S

[bobby62914]

Other shots from this game have gotten a lot more attention (and publication and purchases). No interest in this shot and I have even promoted it some. I have asked several people about it and gotten tepid response.

The kid who got his dunk blocked liked it the more than anybody else; his team lost by one point, their only loss of the season.

This was a big game, drew 8,000 fans to a high school game in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Neal Boyd, winner of America's Got Talent, sang the National Anthem. The two teams lost a total of three games all season.

[MLM]

I think it is a good action shot. But, the players are just a bit too fuzzy.

[B..]

I think, there is *too* much of a good thing in your original photo.

The expression at the basket is marvelous. And, the expression of the other player at left is wonderful. And, the expression of the ref is wonderful. Unfortunately, these second two are far enough away from the drama taking place at the basket so they disrupt the whole composition.

A possible crop is just below #12's elbow. That removes the distractions and the remaining story is the drama between the competing players at the basket.

Alternately, crop it to include just the two guys in red uniforms. The remaining story is about him and his teammate. This includes the ref's face waaaay over at the right edge for a small bonus. I think I like that crop better.

Better yet, you don't need the lower player's legs, and including them also includes a bunch of distracting background. So also crop just to keep the ref's head and shoulders in the lower-right corner. That's the crop I like best.

[bobby62914]

B.. That was some great advice. Exactly the input I was looking for. Thanks.

How do you like these? Not exactly your suggestions, but certainly in the same spirit...

[Jim Bryant]

Much better, you're eye goes automatically to the action!

[EOBeav]

Amazing what a good crop can do. Congratulations on a great shot!