Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Todd Suttles on November 19, 2019, 08:20:47 am

Title: Afternoon At Duck Pond, Paris
Post by: Todd Suttles on November 19, 2019, 08:20:47 am
Why: Talks about how the five main subjects are engaging, or not, with their environment. I am considering including in my series Evidence of Personality and Identity  (statement below).
Asking for: any C&C about composition, processing, emotional reactions or none, and anything else. Especially BW Vs Col, and the crop. And the lens flare in the color bothers me and may kill the whole image? In a recent portfolio critique, it was suggested that I should stop cropping. This is the full-frame as I shot it. I like the weight of the shadow lines from something unseen on the left interplaying with the weight of the pond on the right. But the subject is the five individuals, cropping could emphasize that ...I think?  What the hell do I know? If I "knew" I wouldn't be here asking. Tolerance  and patience appreciated, thanks, t

Statement: My photography is about the assignment of personality and identity. Within the first three minutes of meeting a new person or situation, human nature drives us to appraise, classify, and designate an identity for each encounter. This primal instinct served humanity well for survival but causes much separation and conflict in modern society.
My work is about creating odd and or intriguing images whose intent and point of view is purposefully ambiguous, prompting the viewer to assign their own meaning to the photograph. By triggering the viewer, I hope they will realize the interpretation is a reflection of their own views, past and biases, and has no reality in the image.  I encourage viewers to reconsider their profoundly entrenched or controversial preconceptions for validity, opening the door to a more empathetic and tolerant union with the world. 
Title: Re: Afternoon At Duck Pond, Paris
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 19, 2019, 10:42:52 am
I'd give a slight edge to color over B&W. The color doesn't add much, but it also doesn't distract in any way.
The composition is excellent: I love all those people interacting only with their cell phones and not with each other.
Title: Re: Afternoon At Duck Pond, Paris
Post by: francois on November 21, 2019, 06:17:39 am
Yes, I agree with Eric on both composition and version. I especially like the composition, it gives a good depth perception…
Title: Re: Afternoon At Duck Pond, Paris
Post by: Todd Suttles on November 21, 2019, 11:14:46 am
Thank you both. I will revisit the processing on the color version but I initially liked it like this. Thanks, -/t
Title: Re: Afternoon At Duck Pond, Paris
Post by: MattBurt on November 21, 2019, 12:18:46 pm
Composition/timing is good for the people and their interactions. I lean toward the mono version as the color doesn't add anything but the color version is also good.
Title: Re: Afternoon At Duck Pond, Paris
Post by: RSL on November 21, 2019, 12:25:28 pm
Reminds me of a Winogrand picture of people rushing past each other on a sidewalk, each in his own world. Kind of sad.