I like the moment that was captured, not seeing the eyes keeps it a little mysterious about who he is. I like the toning, I think it fits the image well. I might have been tempted to shoot tighter, focus more on what he is doing, leave out the clutter that is behind his chair, and the dark band on the left side, isolate him against that white tent.
I think with the right crop, that cord running to the amp could be easily cloned out...I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out Ben...good eye.
An interesting composition, nicely composed and exposed. My suggestion is mearly a different way of looking at it not necessarly better.
I would have gone for much tighter crop from the waist up to his hat. There is a lot of interest in his right hand on the instrument. I also like the fact that we can't see his eye's.
My only other thought is that perhaps the contrast is a "touch" too much.....
Travis Rhoads wrote:
I like the moment that was captured, not seeing the eyes keeps it a little mysterious about who he is. I like the toning, I think it fits the image well. I might have been tempted to shoot tighter, focus more on what he is doing, leave out the clutter that is behind his chair, and the dark band on the left side, isolate him against that white tent.
Travis,
Thanks for your thoughts - there is room to tighten up as you suggest.
Other images of this performer were posted some time ago (image captured July 2009) but from his right side. Back-story: he staked out a 3 foot wide strip between the tent at left and another vendor to right. Other perspective looks straight into the vendor's tent, displays, and rear of his SUV.
ben egbert wrote:
This is an image that is hard for me to judge. It seems well done and in a monotone that is not B&W and I hardly know what to say for B&W.
The one thing that seems odd is an instrument like this with an amp. Seems incongruous. But perhaps it is part of the charm.
Thanks Ben & good eye - yes, he is plugged in, a curiosity to me and why I remained true to the authenticity of his performance.
itchhhh wrote:
An interesting composition, nicely composed and exposed. My suggestion is mearly a different way of looking at it not necessarly better.
I would have gone for much tighter crop from the waist up to his hat. There is a lot of interest in his right hand on the instrument. I also like the fact that we can't see his eye's.
My only other thought is that perhaps the contrast is a "touch" too much.....
itchhhh,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts - I am always open to new ways of seeing things.
Interesting both you and Travis find not seeing his eyes an advantage to the image - "need to see the eyes" is one of the criticisms commonly run up the flag pole around here and I sort of expected it to appear at some point.
Regards,
Bob
Added tighter crop - plus osme grain for grit - might be overdone there :
A curious interpretation. The processing is very different and I am not sure what I think about it, but it creates a reaction leading to more viewing. The toning is appealing. I agree about the cords.
I dont think the eyes are necessary. It depends what the message is.
