A matter of sharpness

[Harald L]

Another one from the series "I couldn't resist". My wife says that I should drop it into the waste bin because it's not sharp enough. I wonder if the lack of sharpness is an issue here. What do you think?

[bernie west]

Not that my opinion carries any particular weight, but it looks fine to me.  I find blur in street photography to often be a point of interest rather than a failing.  The street is usually constant motion, so a bit of motion blur in the image conveys that well.

[RSL]

Street photography doesn't always need to be sharp, but putting the girls in the center of the frame loses some points.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Not that my opinion carries any particular weight, but it looks fine to me.  I find blur in street photography to often be a point of interest rather than a failing.  The street is usually constant motion, so a bit of motion blur in the image conveys that well.

I agree.
And the girls are properly a bit left of center, not really in the center of the frame.

[petermfiore]

I know, no crop......no crop....
In this case the red dress becomes much more important and richer. The Green makes the red pop...

Peter

[mezzoduomo]

Not that my opinion carries any particular weight, but...I think its not sharp enough. And, I think you might think so too. I like the framing as you've presented it, and the colors are great!

When I see something similar in my pictures, I'm tempted to say 'good enough', or rationalize why the issues are not really issues. But if I'm being truly honest with myself, I must concede.....'close but no cigar'.

[David Eckels]

I can tell you for sure that the reason your wife says throw it in the bin is NOT because it's not sharp enough I agree with the 8x10ish crop in from the left. BTW, I like it very much.

[RSL]

I know, no crop......no crop....
In this case the red dress becomes much more important and richer. The Green makes the red pop...

Peter

Except, in this case, Peter, I'd say, crop. . . crop! On the other hand it would have been better to frame the picture properly in the first place -- unless there's some junk off to the right that would detract.

Having said all that I probably should add that I like the picture. It's pretty good street, especially considering the way the girl is stretching that skirt as she walks.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Except, in this case, Peter, I'd say, crop. . . crop! On the other hand it would have been better to frame the picture properly in the first place -- unless there's some junk off to the right that would detract.

Having said all that I probably should add that I like the picture. It's pretty good street, especially considering the way the girl is stretching that skirt as she walks.

(Grumble, grumble!) Just when I thought I had a good fight started with Russ, I have to agree with him again.  

Just to repeat: Rule #37 of Good Seeing isn't simply "Never crop!" It's a two part rule:
1.   Do your best to crop it right in camera, but
2.   If you miss, crop it as needed later.

Do I have that right, Russ?

I like the original, but Peter's crop is an improvement, IMNSHO.

[RSL]

Hi Eric,

I certainly agree with your two-part rule, but I'd add: "3. Try like mad to get it right in the camera."

And Peter's crop definitely is an improvement.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

I can tell you for sure that the reason your wife says throw it in the bin is NOT because it's not sharp enough I agree with the 8x10ish crop in from the left. BTW, I like it very much.

+1000
+1
+1

As for the sharpness, and old Canon ad comes to mind: "I see a beautiful girl on a beach at sunset and I am thinking...1/125 and f/8"

[RSL]

That's Canon for you. At 125 and f/8 it's gonna be underexposed.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

That's Canon for you. At 125 and f/8 it's gonna be underexposed.

Actually, my memory failed me, it was 1/250, but a stronger sunset than yours:

[RSL]

It looks as if the woman the guy loves has drowned. There's the water, but no woman. She probably was calling for help while he was trying to figure out what exposure to use.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

On second thought, there is nothing wrong with the composition. No need for cropping. Just look at the intersection of thirds:

[petermfiore]

On second thought, there is nothing wrong with the composition. No need for cropping. Just look at the intersection of thirds:

Hi Slobodan,
I felt is was more about the space above that need to go...the rule of thirds is just that, a rule. Sometimes one needs to ignore them.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...the rule of thirds is just that, a rule. Sometimes one needs to ignore them.

I can't... I am glued to it in this case

[petermfiore]

I can't... I am glued to it in this case

I wouldn't have it any other way...lol



Peter

[Harald L]

On second thought, there is nothing wrong with the composition. No need for cropping. Just look at the intersection of thirds:

 

Do you believe in coincidence? You see, I've learned a lot at LuLa.

[Mjollnir]

It's wonderful.

There is very fortuitous implied motion in the outline of the legs in the dress.