What do You Think of This Image? [Community Critique]
One of the most popular parts of our forum area is the Critique section where members are invited to share an image that they’ve taken and ask for Critique. There are areas dedicated to Portraits, Landscapes, Macro, Animals/Wildlife (and more).
Once an image has been submitted other readers are then invited to share constructive feedback including encouragement on things that have been done well, suggestions on how the image could be improved and ideas on what the photographer could do next time.
The image above is a recent one submitted by member Carl Yeomans.
See the thread including the critiques given so far here.
What do you think of the image? What do you like about it? How can it be improved? Stop by the forum thread or leave a comment below – just please keep your comments constructive (if you don’t like something share how it could be improved rather than just say you don’t like it).
156 Responses to “What do You Think of This Image? [Community Critique]” - Add Yours
September 17th, 2009 at 7:46 am
First off.. I like the concept and what the photographer is trying to get across with this image. It’s a good portait, but one thing I’d like to say.. the background is a bit too dark and a little over dramatic, but I see that this image is going for a strong, and dramatic look.. then it helps the image.
Overall,,,,,, great image. Good job.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I think you did an excellent job with the lighting and the rim light is very nice. The only improvement I would offer would be in the sky and background areas.. Either add more contrast or add some texture in the form of more clouds or something more radical. I love the drama, and the more the better. nice shot.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:58 am
The photo is fine. … But I would have tried to remove the light from the plants in the foreground. I think they compete with the subject.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:58 am
My comment has to do with how the pictures makes me feel or the impression it gives to me. I feel like I’m looking at the banker who just forclosed on the family farm! It’s not necessarily a pleasant emotion, but it is a rather powerful one. Any pictures that elicits an emotional response is a good picture!
September 17th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Great shot for marketing…in a field of his own. Again, if you’re using for marketing I like the dark background. The 1st thing I saw though was the glare off the suit and the side of his head…a diffuser on the light source and possibly moving the light source to the right. Great image!
September 17th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I think the portraitee, in a suit, makes no sense with the background. The picture evokes no emotion or thought, so though it might be OK technically, it fails as a “good” photo. -Migs
September 17th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I don’t believe the image works by itself, it would need an article or something to put it into context.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I like it well enough, but would like to see the guy on the opposite side of the frame or turned 180 degrees looking into the frame instead of looking out from the edge.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I like the concept in and of itself, but did have a couple of issues. I’m no pro, so feel free to take what I say with a whole margarita glass rim of salt. =)
1. The light in the front of him looks a little contrived when compared to the dull/darkness of the backdrop. The mind says, “With it being that dark, no way you have natural light that bright up here!”
2. I like the “out of the box” feel of a suit dude out in the middle of nowhere, but it does seem to need a caption, or a reason. Now, if there was a caption to the left (as in an advertisement), it would work well. Maybe something like, “We don’t just think outside the box, we are outside the box” or whatever. =)
3. As a personal style kind of thing, I’d like to see his shoulders come just a smidgen further to the front; it would alleviate that crease in his neck.
Cheers!
September 17th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Interesting shot, but the suit – field thing doesn’t have meaning by itself. What was your purpose in taking this shot with those two elements?
I felt like having the eyes on the camera prevented it from directing the eyes of the picture, but is there a reason you chose to have the subject bodily facing out of frame? If you don’t have a reason, you shouldn’t break the rules…
The rim light is a little too bright – I found my eyes drawn to the subject’s ear – not really what you’d want.
The light falling on the bushes the foreground looks messy. Its often referred to as light “spilling” and I think that word is great for this. I doubt you actually wanted to light those bushes, and I would recommend in future you take care to place something (large bit of cardboard if you don’t have anything else) between the light and parts of the image that aren’t meant to be lit.
Small issues really. Its a decent image.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Excellent shot, except for what I believe would be called blown highlights. The whites look too bright for me, as does the glare on the side of the face.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I like the concept of business professional contrasted to nature. Although I like the rim lighting I think it may be a little too strong. My eye keeps focusing on that and not the picture as a whole. I’m a big fan of colors that pop. I agree with the others. I would offer a suggestion to play with the levels a bit more. Maybe even fake HDRI with layers and bring out the clouds in the background and the sharpness in the rest of the field. Compositionally I feel like the whole right side of the picture is really dark.. but it does lead me to the center of the image. I would have liked to have seen more to the left of the image making it a little more panoramic. (thats just my taste though)
This just came to me.. if the field grass was a little taller, just past his hands/mid belly it would make the contract between man and wild punch out a little more. Anyways great shot/lighting.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Great shot.
My eyes seem to be drawn from the person to the hills on the left of the shot. The background seems to be a bit dark and as others have said the bushes in front are fairly bright.
I am not sure what you were going for but to me it is a great shot. One other thing that I am not sure about is the amount of light on the guys left side.
Im no pro so theres my 2c worth. Great image!!!
Cheers
Mike
September 17th, 2009 at 10:13 am
What I felt instantly when I looked at the photo was:
Is that man really there??
That´s what I think it is interesting, and made me look again.
I am a beginner in terms of tecnique but I feel the light over the man makes sense.
It gives an empowerment to the surrealistic scene, accentuating the difference between the man and the rest of the image.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:15 am
It’s awful.
This is obviously a digitally manipulated image, and it’s just kinda… pointless. What’s this for? A farmer’s insurance company? John Deere distributor?
The only thing that makes this spectacular is the unusual nature of the photograph and strong contrast.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I like this image. Great composition and lighting on the man’s face. Makes him stand out from the background. I wouldn’t do anything else to this image. Good work!
September 17th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Oh, and it would have looked a little better with the shrubs between the subject and the camera pushed aside / removed.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
if every photo is trying to tell a story, what is the story being told here?
September 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
When I looked at this portrait, I thought “Trust the law firm of…”
September 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I really like this picture. So many elements that give it a strong feeling. He’s facing out toward the edge rather than looking in. The back of him is lit up more than his front. He has on his “I-take-no-bull-face”. He’s a man in a suit in a field…he “goes against the grain”…figuratively and literally. (Are those things some sort of wheat or grain? I’m no farmer) A very different professional photo.
The only thing I can see (and my opinion is just that…my own) that I wish I could fix, is the hair on his forehead that is sticking down. But maybe that’s just my maternal instincts kicking in.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I like maria’s description I got the same from it.
What I really like about it are the colors.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
The lighting looks weird — he’s being lit from the left while everything else has diffuse, natural lighting. To be honest, it makes it look photoshopped (regardles of whether it actually is)
September 17th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Raymond – how about something constructive? How would you improve it?
September 17th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Why serious pose in that peaceful environment? I would prefer the person to be on the left most side than right side. I also prefer square crop.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
First, greetings from Germany :)
The lightning is IMHO very cool (i like and prefer this style), the location also is (but this would a better location for a farmer gg). But he looks to the wrong site. When you have empty space on the left, then the model stands right, he should look left.
in this case, he looks out the photo.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
It is a strong picture, with perhaps too much light from the side but my first reaction was: that guy has turned his back on everything.
A long time ago I took some photography lessons and one of the first things I learned was that the good guy comes from the left into the picture and that the bad guy goes to the left out of the picture (like in the movies). In this case the man is facing to the right, that is good, but with his back turned to everything else and it gives me a bad feeling. Not a guy I would trust. I would like to see the same picture but with the guy on the right side with the whole ‘world’ in front of him. Just like Daniel is saying.
But I like the idea of the man in the field with the dark background.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
My first thought: an environmental portrait of a Monsanto manager. Great idea and properly executed.
The front light (from the right) is good, despite the harsh shadow from his right arm. Good.
The light from the left is for my taste to harsh for a hair light and to far behind him for a rim light.
The facial expression could be a touch more friendly. He looks like he’s hopping mad about the environment he’s happen to be in. Which is OK if that’s the intention. I think Daniel is right, if he would have turned to his right it would look much less hostile.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I think it’s interesting how many people felt he was looking off-frame. This ‘un-ruly’ composition must make some feel threatened. Personally, I like the composition and framing. I get the whole contrast between suit and nature, dark and light as well as depth. The only thing I might have re-thought is the lighting on the foreground. This shot is definitely marketing material. Good work.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Nice lighting. I tried to go to the forums, then search for carl yeomans’ threads to see more of his photos. But he seemed to have deleted his older stuff. Too bad.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
If his work has anything to do with agriculture or the environment, this is a powerful portrait. If not, it’s a bit cheesy.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I’m afraid to say that I haven’t read all of the other comments, so apologies if this is repeating anything!
First of all, I really like the image. The man is perfect for the ‘type’ that you are portraying, and he’s making good contact with the viewer. I like the composition, and the background is just right.
Having said that, there are a couple of tiny niggles that I’m only pointing out because you asked for constructive criticism. They’re basically points of taste, and you might not agree.
First of all, there is a touch of light spill over to the left of the photograph – I would prefer the flash illumination to light up as little of the plants as possible. Also, the leaves at the very front are a bit bright, and might be a bit distracting.
The other thing that I think I would do is to warm up the whitebalance just a touch. It’s very very very slightly cool at the moment, and I think his skin tone might benefit from warming up a little. Again, that really is just personal taste.
Both of those things are something that can be corrected relatively easily in post process, so all in all, I think you’ve got a winner here.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Well, technically, it’s OK. Great model, perfect for that type of photography.
My personal feelings:
I need a “story” to that kind of image.
Also I would find a better timing and shot it when there is that beautiful orange color on the sky.
Generally, excellent work !!
September 17th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
It feels like he’s on the wrong side of the frame. His stance and position make me uncomfortable (that may be the intended effect). I’m not a fan of the lighting. It makes it look like the subject look like he’s in front of a mural.
Like others, I think the story of the image might help… by itself it’s rather odd.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Great photo for editorial use, which I expect is its purpose. The only improvement I would suggest is with the lighting. The two sources are far too obvious. The main light leaves an unnatural shadow, and there is no explanation (motivation) for the kicker that provides the highlight on the camera-left side of the model. Light should have a plausible source. Here is an example of a very similar shot done for Sports Illustrated by the great Joe McNally, who also shoots for National Geographic and many other clients.
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2009/08/14/joes-version-of-children-of-the-corn/
He speaks here of the hot area in the image foreground as well, but given the environment, that can be difficult to prevent. Notice the shadows, however. They could plausibly be caused by the sun.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
A good picture first of all needs some sort of statement. So what does the photographer want to say here? Suits are great outdoor wear as well? Wilde side of business life? Honestly it looks ridiculous.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Ah, here we see the banker in his natural environment, free to roam and nibble on the grass in the field – oh here comes Mr Lion to say high and he… just ate the banker.
Such is the circle of nature…. or it should be.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Thought process in order went somethin glike this:
Real Estate Land Salesmen is pissed he walked too far away from his car?
Wait, is that background even real.
The lighting is gorgeous.
Theres something strongl about this photo.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
About the technic: I would try to avoid the light on the foreground grass; background is too dark while light coming from left is too arsh.
About composition: I think that it would work better if the chest was turned towards the inside of the frame, this position would work good if there were another side by side subject.
About the content: I missing too a name or a story for this shot (like djinn) and I don’t have enough information to say if it suit or not you; I just see a man in a grass field and nothing related to some kind of business (those clothes recall business of course) or hobbies or the subject’s personal feelings. If you put the same subject in front of a door, or a bulding or a car, probably I woud read that he is a bodyguard or someone with a military background. Inside an office context I could guess he is the one that run the business.
Everything imho of course.
Ciao, Antonio
September 17th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I find it interesting that so many people need a “story”. What is the “story” of a still life photo? (for example) For me, this photo works as a photo containing incongruous elements. You have a “country” background and instead of a guy in overalls and a farmer hat you have a man in a business suit. It also appears that it would work great in a magazine because of all of the space on the left where text could go.
I don’t know, I just don’t understand the focus on story. Maybe all the people who want a story have taken photography classes and that’s what they tell you to do. But let me give you another example, when I take a photo of a squirrel, what is the story? I don’t think there’s a story, but lots and lots of people enjoy it and ask me to make them print copies. When I take a portrait of someone, what is the story? I think certain types of photography can have a story – photojournalism or documentary photography. But some photography is just art.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Looks like you took a photo the landscape first and popped the potrait in afterwards ,He seems to be out of place in his nice suit and his unsmiling face . no it does not work for me.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
An interesting portrait with the gentleman suited up out in a field. Lighting is nice IMO as is the vignette. Only suggestion I would have is with the composition. With the gentleman facing to the small side of the frame he appears to be turning his back on something. More impact might be with the field opening up before him, unless the “turn the back” concept is the idea of the shot. Overall crisp and nice clarity.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
What a striking photo!…. I like the lighting most especially. The background does not have any connection with the man in the suit but the colors complimented. It jumps out at you, and made him really prominent.
Nice job.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
It looks ominous, the lighting contrived, the guy trying to look stately or powerful, but ends up looking like a low-level mob member and might pop you off in the next minute. The foreground of the fake bush thingies are awful. JC Penny 1970’s comes to mind. I agree with the person who said it’s like the banker who just foreclosed on the family farm. I also agree with the person who said that the business suit in a wheat field is a cool concept, but it’s poorly done IMHO. on the upside, if you send it to “awkwardfamilyphotos.com” you might make it into their book!
September 18th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Picture looks good. Good lighting. As most people said the bushes are a little too much lit up. In most cases you want a field of view in front of your model in this case he is looking the opposite way, not sure if you did this on purpose. But overall good colors, and strong clarity.
Everyones a critic, so don’t let it get to you if people are knocking you down. It will only make you better.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:31 am
If i’d taken this shot, I’d be delighted.
The contradictory framing and subject matter really does work – there is a narrative here.
There is a also lots of room on the RHS for text,if it’s needed.
The lighting is great – I’m assuming the ptotog has set the WB to tungsten and used a cut of CTO on a snooted strobe for the subject.
Very Joe McNally, very good shot.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:33 am
There is no doubting the competancy of the photographer although I do agree with the burnt out highlight comments but the picture begs the question: Why? Don’t see the point. If it had been a bit more surreal such as having the man up to his waist in a burn or in amongst some Highland cattle it might have a bit more of the Pink Floyd album cover about it.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:50 am
I Like the light, but the subject is in the wrong part of the frame. Also, his hands bother me. That hand position in wedding photography is known as “fig-leaf” pose. And it really looks bad here. He appears to be holding something that is distracting. I agree that he appears to be a banker that just took possession of some farm and didn’t have time to change clothes.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:55 am
I love it except for there is too much light on the man’s exposed ear/right side of his face. My attention is drawn there instead of anywhere else in the image.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:35 am
I like the contrast between the suit and the outdoors. I would do the opposite as many suggested with the sky and take out any clouds so there’s a solid background and the attention is on the man. I agree with the light not spilling into the plants in front of the man unless it’s part of the story. For example if this was a picture to go with an article about small town bankers trying to save the farm and the light would spill over to highlight the crop. OR if it was something such as this man is a former farmer leaving the fields to go corporate to pay his bills. Then maybe highlighting the crop is a good idea.
Overall, I think it’s a grea photo otherwise. Even without those nitpicky details I felt like I “got it” immediately when I saw it and could think of many stories to go with the image. I really like the dark, strong colors and the fact that he’s in the right side of the photo and not out in left field!
September 18th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Interesting brochure/ad photo. Lots of room for copy. Need a clothing stylist to remove distracting wrinkles from rear of suit and bulge in arm. Face is in perfect focus, so that is the focal ponint. Eyes wandder looking for other purpose or meaning in the photo. I ,too, would usually recommend facing into rather than out of the frame. I would draw in closer on the eyes. Bring the subject closer to the camera if you need the same proportion of clear space for copy or product illustration.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Although I don’t get it . . . it makes me want to, it makes me curious, and maybe that is all it needs to do?
September 18th, 2009 at 2:22 am
I think it looks silly. My first reaction was, “Why the hell is that suit in a field”, instead of, “Wow, that guys looks legit (…because he’s in field?”
September 18th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Depends what the picture is to be used for..as an ad it works. There is a story,quality suit, good crops etc.
As a landscape ..it doesn’t. Not sure why the suited man is there and have to say think he needs to look into the picture rather than out of it.
If a landscape agree that there needs to be some foreground interest however the man looks a little out of place.
Potential there…moody atmosphere.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:55 am
In a scale 1 to 10 I’ll give this photo a 7:
Is very noticeable that the light is not natural.
The subject seems out of context there.
You can’t infere the purpose of the photo.
Even the suit seems too small for the person.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Over all a very nice image with nice commercial possibilities. However, a few things could be done, in my opinion, but these are minor such as:
1. Reduce the amount of vignetting its a bit too much.
2. Reduce light on left side of person as it doesn’t seem to match the intensity or apparent direction of that in the foreground so it gives it, in my opinion a “Photoshopped person added after the fact” effect.
3. Try facing him into the picture on the left side rather than out of it on the right. However, having him turned to the left and sort of facing out to the right, and the setting of a guy in a suit, in a field, has a matching tension of unexpectedness which is unexpectedly very interesting.
4. Some sort of anchor on the left bottom might also help?? The image seems to have a lot of “Null” space but the empty sky at the top of the image sure works well and the overall lighting, shading from light in front to darker in the background is always a great way to add depth.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:05 am
Disjointed, Contrived…cold. So if that is working for you, the photo works. My first thoughts were, it’s a set with a faux background, which means you have lighting issues if this is not the intention.
Juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated elements… could work if you want to pull someone into an unexpected context, a story that brings two seemingly unconnected things together to tell a larger story.
So good photo? Bad photo?
Depends. :)
I don’t personally care for it, but then I may not be your audience. To improve any shot, to make it pop.. every compositional element, every choice, needs to work toward the central idea… it has to “read” as that idea visually. A little compositional tweaking, a little lighting shift, and you might have something really strong on your hands.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:06 am
I just love the image, so clear and sharp. Does there need to be a reason why a guy dressed liked a banker appears in the image. I just appreciate the image for what it is, and wish i could be as imaginative
September 18th, 2009 at 3:07 am
The components of this picture is very unexpectedly ‘out-of-place’ . There is an unusual contrast between the urban and the rural. Its not the man in his environment. Thats what draws one into it. Good out-of-the-box thinking. The lighting seems oddly studio-ish, coming in from behind the right shoulder while the grass remains unlit. Front lighting is good. The face is very sharp. I only wish Carl Yeomans had placed the subject to the left of the frame. He has left more empty space behind the subject rather than in the front. Overall, i would say this is a attractive portrait photograph that will capture eyeballs.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:14 am
Yes, he’s outstanding in his field… or out standing in his field! If this is a portrait, I like it as is, but if I were to use it as stock, I would like the subject made more obscure and see more field. This would help the “outstanding in his field” concept be stronger. As is, the mountains and strong sky compete with the field.
A previous commenter said the person should be facing inward to the middle of the photo. When I choose stock images I look for that, because when I place text on top of the photo, I try to position the person so they “look into” the text. However, the positioning of this person doesn’t bother me in this image.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:18 am
The lighing does look too contrived. The forground lighting is not consistent with the background. I can pinpoint why I feel that way.
the other thing that bothers me is the cropping of the gentleman. I keeping wanting to see a little more of his legs. it is akin to what I learned about cropping portraits….don’t crop at the joints. I only see waist up. It would have been better to have the forground foliage only come up to halfway up is thigh.
Otherwise, I think it is a very dramatic pose communicating strength and assurance and professionalism. It looks like there are plenty of places to use this image.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:20 am
I like the this photo, I find it very powerful with the dark background (slight lighting issue in foreground and shoulder area), only one thing bothers me (yes I am being anal – sorry), that is the left index finger; for some reason my eye is constantly drawn to it. I cannot explain why, it just seems out of place with all the other fingers curled.
Having said that, I have yet to post anything as I am still too chicken, so congrats.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:21 am
I like the background, except for the over saturated blue sky. Nice portrait; clean, sharp, and nice pose, but (there’s that “but” word again). But, the gentleman seems out of place standing in a open field wearing a business suit. Also, he looks too large in scale with the background; over bearing, almost god like. If he were posed in cowboy gear, with hat, rope, etc. the image would look more real.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I think the man is “outstanding” in his field. I know a bit of bad corporate humor, but that is what I thought when I first saw this. I like the image as it is. Being an accountant, I can see this kind of image being put in a corporate report with a tag line off to the left stating the growth potential of company X. I think the lighter weeds in the foreground tend to bring the eyes to the individual, while the darker background directs your eyes away from the background. I like the contrast of wilderness and urban. Makes me wonder why this man chose to have his picture taken out in the middle of nowhere.
September 18th, 2009 at 3:45 am
This is a great picture in particular I like portraits in the open field and this is really great example of one can do, the background is great the pose and lighting are just perfect !!
Great job Carl!
Joe
September 18th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Initially I was impressed by the image for the erasons that it was striking enough to make me take a second look. I like the composition and the oddness of the rural landscape juxtaposed onto the urban world of business. The problem I had was with the lighting – the subdued background which allows the figure to dominate is a litle over contrived with the foreground light. The contrast was obviously meant to be but the balance is not there. However, the image is striking and our punter can be forgiven for the contrivances for what is otherwise a unique picture. I liked and didn’t like it but probably because the dark/light conflict is disturbing.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:03 am
I think the lighting on the foreground and the right side of his face are wrong. The lighting should have been aimed more at his face than the side. He does appear to be a businessman who is outstanding in his field……….. pun intended……… Also, the white shirt cuff is a little too white.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:07 am
First thing I noticed about it was : Great Tie !
well, it is a photo which sort of evokes a million thoughts in my head – that is what i fundamentally like about it. lighting issues : grass is lit too – which is annoying.
good going overall.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:10 am
It’s an interesting portrait, although I’m not sure what the context/use is going to be. I believe it’s been said above, but I would echo the comments about less light on the plants directly near the subject. That would help the man stand out more. As it is, I find my eyes going towards the plants around him just as much my eyes go to him. The pose is very ‘cold’ – but if that’s what you were going for then job well done.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:12 am
The person is nicely lit, though a little bright on the right side of the head and is appropiately sharp with a pleasant background.
However, perhaps someone dressed as a farmer may have worked better, but then maybe I am missing the point.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Image:
The image depicts an image of a ridgid young man, body at 45 degrees to camera, with severe hair, hands folded symetrically at waist, chin up with condecending staring at camera, he’s wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie standing in a tawny coloured field, gray/blue mountains echoed by gray/blue clouds in the background, time of day appears to be dawn or dusk. Natural background light is interrupted artificial, directionally lit man back. The artifical backlighting is a bit too harsh and the brush/grass around him is artificially overexposed.
What does it convey:
I’m not sure what this photo intends to convey. Could be a simple visual juxtaposition: “I will dominate this untamed place” ??
First Impression: It does not work for me.
Suggestions for Improvement: It would be helful to know what the photographer intended to convey in order to comment on what he could have done to improve the image.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Something about the picture caused me to look twice at the picture. It took me a while to figure out what disturbed me. The presence of the businessman in the field is to artificial for my taste. Not the composition itself is wrong, but the lightning (as others also noticed) on the face does the picture no goo.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:18 am
The only thing that I could see this used for, after a bit of thinking, the man could be promoting the use of ethanol in gasoline. Other than that, sorry, but I personally still wouldn’t use that photograph. I see it leading no where. Perhaps, you could introduce something into the background a little bit. Also, lighten the background up a little bit, there isn’t much colors to display here, it’ll help attract some attention to the picture.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:23 am
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS COMMENTS
Image:
The image depicts a ridgid young man, body at 45 degrees to camera, with severe hair, hands folded symetrically at waist, chin up with condecending stare at camera, he’s wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie, he is standing in a tawny coloured field, gray/blue mountains echoed by gray/blue clouds in the background, time of day appears to be dawn or dusk. Natural background light is interrupted artificial, man directionally lit from front and back. The artifical backlighting is a bit too harsh and the brush/grass around him is artificially overexposed.
What does it convey:
I’m not sure what this photo intends to convey. Could be a simple visual juxtaposition: “I will dominate this untamed place” ??
First Impression: It does not work for me.
Suggestions for Improvement: It would be helful to know what the photographer intended to convey in order to comment on what he could have done to improve the image.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:32 am
LOVE IT! Great job!
September 18th, 2009 at 4:44 am
The expression & the posture of the model is rocking, the sky is cool. The lighted bushes in the fore ground is little disturbing, I also didnt liked more space in the left side. Overall a nice shot.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:58 am
Superb lighting , composition and exposure ! My preferance would be to position the gentleman on the left looking into the photo rather than being squeezed by the right side of the frame.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:04 am
I’m not much of a photographer but the whole image looks a bit too “set up”. In the first place there is too much detail in the brush in front which sort of makes it look separate from the overall picture and more contrived like the rest is an artificial backdrop. So maybe position it lower and a little less prominent.
Then there is the artificial lighting coming from the left side while the darkest mass is on the right. The guy could have been positioned, looking to the left of the picture (profiled from the other side) with the light coming from the right which then would’ve looked more natural, not splitting the picture but making him more a part of the overall scene.
The drama would be the same and the picture could be saying that his company cares for the environment instead of distancing or turning its back on it.
If that comment is too over the top, then forgive me I’m just an artist.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Interesting picture. It certainly catches your eye but somehow doesn’t take the viewer a step further. The picture is posed and the photographer obviously had a subject in mind. We just don’t know it as we can’t see it!
If there was something else in the photo which for example, was humourous or hidden, I think it would have more of an impact. i.e. The man laughing…. holding a i.e. tomato behind his back… just SOMEthing to give the picture a story.
And yes… the lighting makes the man look out of place, as if he has been popped into the picture.
Are you going to tell us what the reason for taking this picture was???? :-) Or keep us in suspense… ;-)
September 18th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Ingenious, but without any particular merit in my view. Looks like a studio shot with mediocre lighting and nowhere to go except into Photoshop for hours of fun.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:29 am
In my opnion the light from the right is a little too strong. Thats one highlight of he image and you look at the right side of the skull right away. Its that light which is making the leaves more prominent too.
For some reason it feels like the subject is mad at the world and has turned his back towards it. How about positioning the subject on the left side of the frame or turn the face around?
my 2 cents….
September 18th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Technically, can’t be faulted. Honestly have to ask – why?
September 18th, 2009 at 6:04 am
The suit and the dramatic background makes the shot work, but needs a title or caption. Otherwise, what is a business guy doing in a field with a suit on? I don’t care for the flash on the plants in the foreground but overall, I think it’s a good picture. I like where the subject is in the picture, it works because his eyes are looking towards my left. If he was looking off to the right, the space would need to be in front of him.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:08 am
My first thought was that the image looks contrived and was trying to send a ‘message’.
Because after examination I couldn’t ascertain what that message might be, I thought of it as shallow and… contrived.
Technically – its sharp…. colourful…
September 18th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Hi, now I am a complete beginner, only weeks into this whole new world
However my first impressions as a photograph consumer rather than photograph taker, I liked the composition and I liked the story it evoked in my imagination.
However I felt the lighting of the model is just too false when juxtaposed with the sombre background.
I love the sky and hills by the way, especially the way the clouds reflect / mirror the hills
well done!
Anton
September 18th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Can’t see the problem with the comment “It’s awful. This is obviously a digitally manipulated image, and it’s just kinda… pointless. What’s this for? A farmer’s insurance company? John Deere distributor? The only thing that makes this spectacular is the unusual nature of the photograph and strong contrast.”
Don’t see why Darren says “Raymond – how about something constructive? How would you improve it?”
Well, you did suggest we critique it… I agree with Raymond. Beyond displaying a certain level of proficiency with Photo-Chop (sic), I can’t see what the point of it is either.
It doesn’t tell me a story and if the idea business=nature loving, let’s make a million bucks AND save the environment, I mean come on, does anyone actually buy that…???
How would I improve it? I’d press “Delete” immediately and go back outside with my camera.
But l like the idea of posts on which we are asked to critique pix ,-) !
September 18th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Having just completed a beginner digital photography workshop, the instructor would have given the critique of “the main focus is too far to the right in the photo. He is going out of the photo, which leaves you looking for other points of focus.”. That would be my comment also. The man is too far to the right. Also, the coloring somehow appears to be “off”, with the photo being essentially dark, but a very bright light on the right side/front of the man.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Interesting shot until you try to focus on something. Do you want to focus on the man, landscape or sky? I don’t like it. To improve, crop off the whole left half.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I to would like to comment on the general feeling I get from this photo. Instantly I thought of the old saying, “knee-deep in clover” something he is not. The field appears parched and fruitless. *that is not wheat* Although his facial appearance seems stern, his stance is guarded – he’s in unfamiliar territory. The empire he once ruled, gone. It’s time to start from scratch. I see this photo and think of the fall of Wall Street. I love the concept but am not experienced enough to comment on the photography issues.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:03 am
I like the idea and the work that has gone into producing the photo, however I feel that the positioning of the main subject is wrong, the man should have been placed on the left hand line of thirds. He would then have been looking into the photo instead of out of it as is the case. I think that this detail would have made it a very pleasing photo
September 18th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Out standing in the field.
Outstanding in his field
Powerful image in the marketing sense. Also nice portrait.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:12 am
I agree with Jack Foster Mancilla, that the highlighting on the plants in the foreground draws the eye away from the subject. It distracts from an otherwise decent image.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:19 am
While I can critique these things I would of done differently, I don’t think the client really could complain about it very much. When I look at the image, it is a very strong, powerful image, and I believe that is exactly what he wanted. Him being brighter than the background adds power to it, the spill light and difference in lighting gives it contrast, as well as the concept of man and nature; They clash a little and are opposites, but in this image they are together. In all honesty, I like the way the reeds up front are lit up.
Three things I might change would be the posing of his hands. They probably naturally fell in that position, I would of probably had him hold them together. The other being the dark shadow cast on the background to the right of him. Last, the rule of thirds, I’m not sure it works so well in this image, the way it was used. I prefer it for images where eye contact isn’t made with the camera. I would of centered him, or had him on the opposite side facing the same direction as he is now. Although, for some reason, it doesn’t bother me too much the way it is now.
Overall, great powerful image!
September 18th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Looks like an over zealous shot that seems to have no point
September 18th, 2009 at 8:01 am
I believe the concept is very interesting, and the lighting is good. The main basic thing that I would change is the direction the individual is facing. I would turn him around to where he is facing into the photo instead of out of the photo. Right now, I’m a little confused as to what the photo is trying to tell me.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:03 am
The fact that everyone wants a “story” IS the strength of this image! Way too many shots are easy – no desire to know more. I liked the idea of the banker who just foreclosed on the family farm. Really good work can often be used for more than one purpose. As an ad shot the lighting is probably good – a title could easily be superimposed over it. As a portrait I would probably bring up the background a bit, to give it a little more “3D” effect.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
I agree with Jack about the plants in the foreground competing with the main subject. Overall, it’s a great picture.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:39 am
two thoughts came quick to mind: commercial and a bit sinister. no offense intended, it’s just how i see it
September 18th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I would say he is outstanding in his field.
sorry, couldn’t resist.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I think this just looks odd and that does not help it a bit… the light on the right side of the person and the dark back ground is so disturbingly contrasting … direction of light in the pic makes it so artificial…
September 18th, 2009 at 9:37 am
A nice strong picture. Looks like a man that isn’t going to take any nonsense. It is ‘technically’ well posed. the composition meets the criteria for not being centrally positioned. I would be much happier with the man facing into the picture than facing out at such closeness to the edge, regardless of which side of the photo he at. For the right ‘commercial’ use it could be very poignant If it’s a portrait of the man – it doesn’t work very well – cropping would be a very good thing.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:45 am
This is looks like a great picture to be used as an advertisement titled “A Man Who Is Outstanding In His Field”. A type of success story.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:55 am
On second thoughts after sending my first comment on this image i have decided that this image is of a Lexus driver using the field as a bathroom stop and the headlights appear on his right side
September 18th, 2009 at 10:50 am
The contrast of the subject and background is too extreeme. If it is a professional profile he is trying to capture this does not work. Plain background would have been better. City and country?? Both very different on their own.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Hey…some guy just got in the way of your landscape photo! It bothers me but I can see where the content would have its place. The marketing ideas I agree with.
The light doesn’t look like it was placed right. Almost like someone is standing to the side holding a light that doesn’t belong there.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
The photo bothers me, he looks shrewd “No Offense”, but it seems that he had just conned a local farmer for his own benefit.
I’m confused, no idea which is the subject. sky, mountain background, or the man. The man looks like it has been cut & paste by photoshop, judging by the direction/contrast of the shrubs surrounding him
September 18th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Let me just start by saying that this is the WORST place to come to if you want/appreciate positive feedback. You guys are vicious!
That being said… I think this shot is interesting. When I say it I thought, “What that guy doing in a suit out there?” I DIDNT think, “Boring. Moving on.”
So therefore, thumbs up from me.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Nice photo…………. I like most the complexicity of the theme. The man stood in a Farm. But his attitude didnt seem to be a Farmer. More he looked like a Beurocrat. The main theme I like most is the back ground. That makes the object more prominent and individual. The induvidualities of the picture are awsome.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Visually the photography in totality is looking very good. Lighting is very good except for the light falling on the stems and leaves in the foreground. The only thing faulty i found in this picture is that the background doesn’t really go with that person’s attire and his formal style posture.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
i dont really like this image… its goo loud… also the flash on the front bushes is very unpleasing and is distracting… however on a 1st looks it looks ok… Also the expressions of the man could be better in such a beautifful landscape…
September 18th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
The foliage in the foreground takes my attention away from everything else in the shot.
Also the man looks to be photo shopped into the shot and a very nice b/ground is not in any sort of focus at all so overall the shot does not appeal to me very much..
September 18th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
looking at this picture in first glance, the fact that the subject is more on the right leaves the mountains and clouds very visible and takes the attention away. that i think makes (as per maria) one think is the man really there.
if the man was in the middle of the frame, facing the camera slightly more, less light on the plants. otherwise its a beautiful picture.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Agree 100% with Hadi: “it seems that he had just conned a local farmer for his own benefit”.
I’d improve the image but Photo-Chopping in Dracula teeth.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I would like it improved by not making the lighting not too harsh on the left face of the model. Perhaps a longer exposure time would do the trick instead of direct flash.
I like how he stands and the direction he faces. It looks as if he turns his back against mother nature further emphasizeed by the suit he wears. It is a good use of negative space.
I also like the low angle of the shot to make the partly portrait/partly landscape photo flattering. The composition is ok too.
Just my opinion.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Other than the contrast between the subject the enviroment, my personal opininon is that the picture is pointless. Tehnically is OK. And how someone said before, it is a verry good pic for a marketing presentation.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I will agree with others that it would’ve been better to have the subject looking into the composition, even just a little. What bugs me is that with the subject off to the side and looking out, it gives weight to the background which is just not powerful enough for me. The background lacks impact and the composition is relying on that element to pull it through. Maybe some rays from a setting sun playing on the clouds and hills.
For my liking, I think a local as the subject would have made this picture much better.
Cheers
September 18th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I’ve really got my doubts: “a verry good pic for a marketing presentation” ?????
I mean, come on: marketing people are THAT unsubtle?
Trying to say WHAT???
“You too, Suit, can be and look unhappy standing in a corn field, thinking what the #### am I doing here, when I could be at my desk making a million bucks a day” ???
To say “For #### ’s sake, find something more original than business+nature=good” ???
To say, “Whatever you do, if you’re trying to sell something, for #### ’s sake get the subject to smile” ???
In what kind of media? A magazine? The colors are far too dark and sober, surely?!
September 18th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Hi.
The portrait is nice, the expression too. could be used for an ad or something of the sort, but what i don’t like about it, is the location of the person. I mean in such a picture, i would prefer to have the bigger width of the background in front of him, not behind him, especially that the expression is serious and kinda grim. So someone in this state, would have more ahead of him, than behind him.
i hope i got my idea through.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Enjoy more moments and capture as many as u can.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
dont like.
My advice is to get rid of all your editing programs, lighting included. Head for the hills with your best friend dressed in a fancy suit and take some real pics. The pic can be compared to a singer using backing tracks instead of a band. Keep it real
September 18th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Strong character I think the depth of field is to great creating some distraction from main subject, but a very sharp picture … well done
September 19th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Great exposure, sharpness and composition. Just one thing bothers me… is the background chosen for this particular shot…. would make it more dramatic if there were industrial or office buildings behind the subject.
September 19th, 2009 at 1:56 am
I think it is a strong photograph. I would just like to see more of his body. His legs are cut off.
September 19th, 2009 at 2:30 am
i think the image is very well composed and the lighting on the field is ok. my only issue is that the sky although dramatic comes off a little too flat for my taste.
September 19th, 2009 at 3:10 am
My first impression was that you had shot this guy in church, and then plonked him in a field. Perhaps that’s why he looks so austere….
I would remove the vignette, then crop the image and turn it from landscape to portrait mode, with the subject towards the left hand side.
I’ve seen worse photos, mine for example.
Overall, I kinda like this one. Thanks for posting.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:27 am
I too am not professional, but wonder how long some of you have to look at this picture to be able to pick it apart so deeply.
I agree that the lighing is a little strong on the right side of his face, but look at the good points. The photo looks very sharp to me, and I love the contrast of colors and light. I think it is rather funny that someone would comment on his clothing being wrinkled. How many times do you see someone whose clothes have no creases or wrinkles. They would have to be standing like a soldier for that to look natural.
I was looking for a place for beginners to post their work, but with the harshness some of you use, I think I will stay away from posting. I guess I thought this was a forum for people who enjoyed photography, but now think it is more a place for the professionals to show off.
I, for one, enjoy just taking pictures and trying new things. This sort of nitty-gritty stuff is rather intimidating.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:04 am
not knowing the photographer, I have no idea behind the picture,,, there are many thins that could be intended… portrait/advert.lead-in/etc.,etc… he appears to be in a field of mustard seed,, sharpness of the points of the [ods??/smell of the field??.. many conotations ofcommercial uses to religion[ faithof] /strength of taste/flavor/shapness of burn??.. or just a portrait of a [farmer/ceo/developer?..
appears to be properly lite well planned, all the things a good potog should do... also question if it could have been photo shop to combine the elements [sorry but I'm old shool and I hate photo shop], if not I apologise cause it is very well thought out…
I can not make some of the comments others have cause I am primaryly an outdoor photogand started a long time ago… also hung up with being a profectionist from the eyeball to the print….
still- – - a good shot joe
September 19th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Good photo in general. It looks like a studio shot or something you might find on the “strobist”.
As for the photo itself; because of his stern look and back to the field, I feel it would be great for a business article where the “city” is rejecting the country for future development.
Reminds me of an old song I once heard. “Take paradise and put up a parking lot.”
September 19th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I really like the strong look, the lighting, the exposure. Nice job. Would be proud to have taken this shot
September 19th, 2009 at 8:34 am
he should of been standing on a hill, and centered more to frame,poor cropping where is his legs?
September 19th, 2009 at 10:54 am
It looks like it is to be used in an advertisement
There are some technical issues but I am not sure I like it.
September 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I FEEL THE POWER IN THE MAN. VERY STRONG. HIS PORTRAIT IN THE MIDST OF THE DARK SKY AND LANDSCAPE MAKES HIM STAND OUT AS A MAN OF STRENGTH. GREAT SHOT.
September 19th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
The composition is unusual but it can work in the appropriate context. The image seems to be made of -at least- 4 elements: foreground, gentleman, background left, background right. It’s well done despite the facts that all the elements have a different lighting but there are a few problems: the lit parts on the shoulder have the wrong color, there is a problem with the folds in the back of the suit (at waist level), both sides of the background do not match (left and rigt of the gentleman). Also, the vignetting is a bit harsh.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
i am no professional and i am just starting out with serious digital photography. so i’d go by the book – which in my case is nothing but the compositions tips and techniques i regularly read on this great website.
1. i like the use of the rule of thirds – the way the main subject has been lined up along the right side vertical line of the frame.
2. nice use of patterns formed by the vegetation and the way the subject breaks the pattern.
3. i’m not very impressed with the way the horizon cleanly bisects the frame horizontally – there’s not much drama in the sky behind so clicking from a lower angle and pushing the horizon a little higher wouldn’t have hurt – in fact it might have imparted a larger than life quality to the main subject.
4. the light bouncing off the model’s right cheek does look a little artificial.
5. wonder if it was deliberate but the dark jagged ridge on the right side of the frame seems to abrupty disappear just behind the man’s back throwing the picture a little off balance. it’s a tad too heavy on the right.
but it’s still a very powerful photograph and it’s clear that the photographer has taken great pains to set up the scene. i like it.
September 19th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
It looks photoshopped……
September 19th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
At first look, the composition seems right as far as the the rule of thirds goes. But it doesn’t sit well with me. Technically speaking, most aspects of the photo are fine, but what it’s communicating is a bit confusing. The first thing I notice is the mans posture. The direction he is facing and his placement within the frame gives me the sense that he’s about to take a pee – sorry! But honestly that’s the first thing that came across to me. The placement of his hands doesn’t help either. If the intent was to have a strong posture to coincide with the strong contrast of the lighting and the darkening sky, having him cross his arms just below chest level – so crossed but relaxed, not like a bouncer, would have helped. Otherwise, a softer arm position might have been better. But the “fig leaf” stance usually draws attention to that area, people always want to know what’s going on with the hands.
One technical aspect, it looks like a flash was fired off to the side and slightly behind the man, and his head is shiny. That’s something you may be able to correct in post processing, but if the pixels are blown out, there’s not much you can do. Perhaps trying to diffuse the flash with a sheet, or bounce it by having it pointed away from the man and bouncing of a sheet or piece of white foam core, so that a softer light is lighting up the side of the subject instead of burning him.
Compositionally speaking, I feel like the image is too clean. I with some posture adjustments this composition could work, having a man in a business suit outdoors. But I think everything is too sharp, too noiseless, for these two subjects (the business man and the outdoors) to be blended. If you look at publications like Nylon or Dazed and Confused, you see a lot of subject blending, like some haute coture in an industrial area or a field… But the finalized image is not clean, clear, sharp, it’s got textures, graininess, and movement. Now I realize that’s something missing from this photo. With the man being outdoors, I’d expect to see some movement in the photo, and maybe that’s partly why it doesn’t sit right with me, unless what you’re trying to communicate is this strong, overbearing, unmoving statue of a modern man. If that’s the case, then you hit it.
One last thought, the plants in the foreground, specifically directly infront of the man, are competing with him, and combined with the position of his hands, makes it look like he’s hiding something he’s doing. Perhaps having him stand on some of the plants nearest to him, to flatten them down, might have helped. Then again it might have created a visual void and unwanted space. Never know until you try.
September 20th, 2009 at 2:44 am
The first thing I see is a business man standing in a field, not the lighting or anything. It’s a paradox to me already. We commonly associate businessmen with a building, or an airport, or anywhere that would include businessmen, but we rarely see one standing out in a field. Maybe I don’t understand the meaning at all, and maybe I’m not looking deep into the picture, but I just don’t think it fits. My mind may not be as sharp as some pro photographers here, but to me I think that the picture itself just doesn’t work. The lighting IS good, and the businessman is focused and in the spotlight so we know who this picture is focused upon, but a field and a man in a suit just doesn’t work for me.
September 20th, 2009 at 6:31 am
This is a very abstract photo, the suit does not have anything in common with the picture. However, this might me a good photo for an article that would be related to business & farming or real estate.
September 20th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Love it. If it were mine (and I wish it were) I’d separate the face and sky a bit. They seem to have about the same value. Perhaps the face could be warmed up a bit. Or the sky go a bit darker/cobalt/violet. I enjoy making up a story about why this man is wearing a suit in the middle of this field of dry grain or grass.
While designing at the University of Texas, I was the editor of the College of Communication’s alumni newsletter. We had some big hotshot professor come in and we needed a photo of him. My photo intern showed up; it had been raining all day. The professor seemed to go along with our suggestion, so we shot him on the roof with a bunch of UT rooftops (and our famous tower) behind him, dressed in his black overcoat and big black umbrella. We had a lot of inquiry as to why, and that was part of the fun.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:51 am
I can stop myself to laugh at the fist look……still laughing ……lol
September 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am
I think you have done very well, a lot of good comments have been made above and just a few strange ones as well, I think this image would go well in a rural magazine with the space on the left used for print like a story lead in and might be about the business aspect of farming etc, etc. So many possibilites, the main thing is do you like it. Cheers, Terry.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:02 am
I think its a good capture for a comercial arts viewpoint but nothing I would hang on my wall.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
The picture would look better if the guy wasn’t standing in it. The suit and his facial expression takes away from an otherwise beautiful scene. He looks like he’s wanting to sell something and he would look better surrounded by a bunch of tall buildings. The scenery is nice, and the guy isn’t bad looking. The two just doesn’t go together.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hi – i like this – whilst I agree the forground is a little light, and the back is a little dark, i love the irony of a man in a business suit (normally associated with concrete and highrise) standing in a field of nature and earth.. could be that without the business man, there would be no business for thre farmer – or just a paradox.. i love it.. congrats!
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 am
Agriculture Business Doom! That is what the picture says to me.
I agree with several others that this photo would be best paired with an article. I find the lighting a bit harsh on his face. However it it were to be toned down a tad with red/orange tones it might better resemble the sun setting.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:19 am
How out of place are our values?
Excellent message for these dark times.
Mr Corporation, frowning, dark clouds looming – forecast-bleak.
Thanks.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:59 am
The foreground is a little over lighted, almost looks pasted in , but that works for the out-of -placeness. feel.
I like how the clouds “echo” the shape of the mountains.
While not seen in real life, there are men in suits in those fields.
They don’t actually visit those fields, but they are there.
Not pictured are the bankrupted farmer who moved to the burbs, now working in a supermarket.
Not pictured is the developer, planning a set of townhouses, an new super mall.
This is no ad, this is real.
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:52 am
I don’t like the strong glare on the right side of the man’s face. It seems an unnatural amount of light given the dark background. I would lessen the light on his right side and possibly increase the light on his left side from slightly behind, to give more seperation from the dark background.
Normally you would expect somone facing the direction this guy is facing to be framed on the opposite side of the composition so he doesn’t seem boxed in, but with this composition, it suggests he’s at the forefront, he’s weathered the storm and left it all behind him. I know other didn’t like his plactment here, but I do.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:57 am
My first thought: A snapshot from one of Ford’s recent commercials trying to mix Environmental and Business.
And like one of the other commentors, I agree that there should be less light in the foreground, and more in the background.
i personally don’t like this picture. It makes me think of the bad things in this world. Just something about it.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Well i like the expression of the Guy, but i’ve one comment, i feel that this was taken in a studio, too dark background, and too bright foreground, so it looks a little un-natural, so may be if you could brighten the backgound a little, and decrease the light effect on the shoulder and the front planting, so you get them more into one level, that’ll be great, but i like the proportion and the pose, that’s good sense not many do have
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Most folks seem to like the lighting on the subject. I don’t. Its the wrong color. Its a strobe that needs to be a bit softer and a bit yellower. I’m also not thrilled with the amount of light spill on the weeds. All could be fixed in post.
September 24th, 2009 at 6:37 am
The subject is a puzzle. Why is this well-dressed serious man standing in field at sunset? I find the flash distracting and makes the picture look a little artificial. It’s also obvious the light on the right side of his face is not from the sun, but from another light source. In addition, there seems to be something wrong with his left han, perhaps because it’s partly obscured by the grass.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:01 am
love it! breaking all the rules!!!! makes me laugh…incongruent…will annoy traditionalists and that is pleasing to me.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I think this photo is well taken. My only feedback is I don’t know a lot of people who wear suits in the outdoors. It seems they conflict each other. Maybe that is the story the photographer is trying to tell. Love the lighting and the dark background, it really gives a somber presence to the photo.
September 25th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
In the photo theback ground is darker & gradually get lighter towards the forground. This in my mind puts the attention on man , especially the hands.I read through all the critques & I didn’t see this , but what is he holding in his left hand. Is it what ai think it is . Perhaps he is trying to tell us that he is the worlds biggest p PRICK.
September 28th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I like the strong look on his face. However, the image becomes dull and dark towards the corners. I don’t like the light that is flashing on his face, and this light doesn’t seem natural to me. The light cannot be natural, and this disconnects the subject from the background. Probably using the light from a longer distance would help.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:05 am
People read photos like books ,left to right. The position of the subject and the contrast between the suit and the field tell a disturbing story. A great photo!
October 31st, 2009 at 5:54 am
Staff who can, of Borrowers can?Ball is where, given rod will.Top or one, whatever traffic they.As the management thigh toning, such as business the most curable.One maybe is, This will lead.,
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