I like the vivid colors, the brightness and the overall visual quality of your image. This photo has quite a few pleasant elements that contribute to the overall image. Very nice job.
However, I think something is missing. Something that leaves me guessing what you want me to look at first: a strong Focal Point. I believe your image would really stand out, and have a bigger impact, if there was a “visual anchor” that would guide the viewer’s eye, tell him where to look, give a purpose to the photo, and make the image more cohesive.
A clear focal point helps the composition, and gives the photo a reason to exist rather than being just a photo of “something”.
If you are asking yourself how you can enhance your images keep in mind that when a viewer looks at an image his/her eyes will generally need a ‘resting place’ or something of interest to really hold them. Without it you’ll find people will simply glance at your shots and then move on to the next one.
My opinion (and it's just my opinion) is you should crop it closer.
The top rack of shoes are all over the place, and the background between the shoes is busy.
There's a lot going on there. Maybe a lower angle to make the sky your background?
Perhaps try a tighter crop on the bottom row of shoes?
Very colorful.
Shasoc wrote:
I like the vivid colors, the brightness and the overall visual quality of your image. This photo has quite a few pleasant elements that contribute to the overall image. Very nice job.
However, I think something is missing. Something that leaves me guessing what you want me to look at first: a strong Focal Point. I believe your image would really stand out, and have a bigger impact, if there was a “visual anchor” that would guide the viewer’s eye, tell him where to look, give a purpose to the photo, and make the image more cohesive.
A clear focal point helps the composition, and gives the photo a reason to exist rather than being just a photo of “something”.
If you are asking yourself how you can enhance your images keep in mind that when a viewer looks at an image his/her eyes will generally need a ‘resting place’ or something of interest to really hold them. Without it you’ll find people will simply glance at your shots and then move on to the next one.
I agree with this critique. It would be really great to see something like someone's face poking out in one of the gaps between shoes. Waiting for a passerby with some kind of a striking, momentary expression would really elevate the image.
ichiboy wrote:
I agree with this critique. It would be really great to see something like someone's face poking out in one of the gaps between shoes. Waiting for a passerby with some kind of a striking, momentary expression would really elevate the image.
The second one with the man is much better! I'd even consider cropping it a bit tighter so the shoes fill the entire frame. Maybe try it on and see if it fits (ha).
grandmas wrote:
Shoes are still the subject the man is a focal point. Focal points are what contribute to an image and make them interesting.
IDK ...
Seems a bit 1/2 empty vs. 1/2 full.
By that, I mean is the subject the man, surrounded / framed by the shoes. Or is the subject the shoes with an "interesting focal point" of a man / vendor showcasing them?
The fact that we first saw the image with shoes only ... infers they are the subject, and it is understandable for folks to consider that to retain / carry through. BUT, if we first saw the second image with the vendor in place, would we associate the shoes as the subject?
Which, then brings us somewhat into the realm of intent.
I don't expect a clear cut answer, but I do question the autonomy that the subject would remain the shoes, per se ... vs. vendor.
Or, is the subject actually "neither", but rather is "street vending" ... one with wares only for interesting focal points, one with wares and vendor for interesting focal points.
I think that, while focal points and subjects can be different elements in a photo, a focal point can also be the subject of the photo.
A person in a photo always captures the attention of the viewer. So, a person in a photo is a “natural” focal point, but at the same time can be the subject of that photo.
Composition, and visual mass, also play a very important role in emphasizing the focal point and/or the subject in a photo and you can also have more than one focal point in the same photo.
The way I look at the second photo is with the salesman being the subject telling me to look at the shoe, so I look at the man and then my eyes go to that shoe, and that shoe becomes the focal point. The rest of the shoes are just part of the scenery.
This becomes more evident by changing the salesman position (composition).
In the photo below you can say that the salesman now is the subject of the photo while, again, the shoe he is holding in his hand, and telling you to look at, becomes the focal point.
There is also another focal point in the last two images: the salesmen eyes.
Having said so, I am well aware that different viewers see the same photo in different ways. And that is part of the beauty of photography.
P.S. I know my re-edits have changed the intent of the OP. They are posted just in support of the discussion.
Socrate
By that, I mean is the subject the man, surrounded / framed by the shoes. Or is the subject the shoes with an "interesting focal point" of a man / vendor showcasing them?
The fact that we first saw the image with shoes only ... infers they are the subject, and it is understandable for folks to consider that to retain / carry through. BUT, if we first saw the second image with the vendor in place, would we associate the shoes as the subject?
Which, then brings us somewhat into the realm of intent.
I don't expect a clear cut answer, but I do question the autonomy that the subject would remain the shoes, per se ... vs. vendor.
Or, is the subject actually "neither", but rather is "street vending" ... one with wares only for interesting focal points, one with wares and vendor for interesting focal points.
This is why composition is hard for many people. The subject takes up the majority of the photo, while focus points only take up a small portion of the photo. One could title it Peeking Through the Shoes, but the shoes are still the subject.
If I take a photo of a bear and pretty much fill the image, the subject would be the bear with the eyes being focal points, making the bear both subject and focal points. Focal points are the little things that make an image interesting, and when understood composition is much easier. If I took a photo of a lake with nothing in the water it is so so, but an added boat it gets more interesting. The same lake image can have more than one focal point like a boat, a bird and white puffy clouds and gets way more interesting. Also our eyes go to focal points first and they tend to make us stay around longer and explore the rest of the image.
Shasoc wrote:
I think that, while focal points and subjects can be different elements in a photo, a focal point can also be the subject of the photo.
A person in a photo always captures the attention of the viewer. So, a person in a photo is a “natural” focal point, but at the same time can be the subject of that photo.
Composition, and visual mass, also play a very important role in emphasizing the focal point and/or the subject in a photo and you can also have more than one focal point in the same photo.
The way I look at the second photo is with the salesman being the subject telling me to look at the shoe, so I look at the man and then my eyes go to that shoe, and that shoe becomes the focal point. The rest of the shoes are just part of the scenery.
This becomes more evident by changing the salesman position (composition).
In the photo below you can say that the salesman now is the subject of the photo while, again, the shoe he is holding in his hand, and telling you to look at, becomes the focal point.
There is also another focal point in the last two images: the salesmen eyes.
Having said so, I am well aware that different viewers see the same photo in different ways. And that is part of the beauty of photography.
P.S. I know my re-edits have changed the intent of the OP. They are posted just in support of the discussion.
Socrate ...Show more →
Shoes are still the subject and the man is a focal point, and I think this is part of the confusion of photography. Your reworked images show the importance of focal points to images.
grandmas wrote:
Shoes are still the subject and the man is a focal point, and I think this is part of the confusion of photography. Your reworked images show the importance of focal points to images.
As I said above different viewers see the same photo in different ways . There is no absolute truth.
