Amish Going on a Picnic

[Karm Redland]

Comments welcomed.



karm

[Digital]

No offense Karm; however it looks like a bunch of people walking through a field of tall grass.
IMHO, not your best work.

Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

For me, this photo is about the boy being the only person showing his face in full profile; he is breaking the pattern. It would be better if the woman on the right was showing less of her face than she is. To emphasize that aspect of the photo, I think it needs to be cropped very tightly just below and above the people.

[Geoff F]

Yes, it needs an unconventional approach. Some form of 'letterbox' ratio to concentrate on the people. And with less space on the right than the left, so it looks as though they are actually going somewhere.

[Karm Redland]

Bruce, I took this picture and I like this picture because it has 19th century homely feeling. Without the dress I agree with you that it becomes "a bunch of people walking through a field of tall grass." With the antiquated clothing, at least for me, it becomes a scene out of Little House on the Prairie.

karm

[Karm Redland]

Mike, when I took and processed this picture I noticed the little boy breaking the body language pattern of everyone else. I am going to steal your suggestion and see if I can't make something of it.

karm

[Karm Redland]

Hi Geoff. Actually they were walking in the direction that I oriented the pic. I'll play with your idea.

karm

[rpcrowe]

I agree with Mike re the cropping. However, I think that this image might have been more effective if all the men were wearing the typical straw hats that I identfy with Amish. Of course, unless you have a wardrobe director on your staff, the type hats worn are not within your control...

[JPS]

Hi Karm,
I like it. Well done.
Based on the other members comments, I had a little play with your picture, in PP (hope you don't mind) and I think their suggestions do work; as does your composition.
I be interested if you do try some of the suggestions to see what you come up with.
Cheers
John

[Karm Redland]

Sure John, it will be fun to compare what we both come up with. I'll post something by tomorrow.

karm

[FootLoose]

I really don't know anything about the Amish, but I can't see anything in the picture to support the title. ie that they are going on a picnic. Or is that the point? Are they so frugal / meagre that they don't take food / drink etc when they go on a picnic?

[Karm Redland]

Greg, good point. I actually spoke with them awhile and they told that they were going to some sort of "get together" that amounted to a picnic.

karm

[Karm Redland]

John, here is my redo. I did cutback on the area surrounding the subjects. I played with various crops and decided to keep everyone in the story. I liked them walking into my mass of green. Eliminating foreground and background stuff definitely improved the image. I like the way my subjects balance: two gentleman on the extremes, boy and woman looking left, and then the three marching forward.

I also recolored the picture.

John I look forward to seeing your take.

Comments welcomed.



karm

[Mike Buckley]

Though I can't put my finger on why I like the second one so much better, I do.

[Karm Redland]

Mike I agree. This is an image where different crops tell dramatically different stories -- with emphasis on dramatic. If you don't mind me playing psychological games I think the first image I posted as an "end of story" feeling. In my second image, at least for me, the viewer feels part of this family's picnic and more is to come of the day. At least this is my BS. (I look forward to John's take on this scene. No absolutely right way to develop this image.)

karm

[JPS]

Hi Karm,
I like your 2nd attempt, even better.
Here's my humble attempt.
I had a lot of fun, thanks for sharing and allowing me to post.

[Karm Redland]

John, nice. I recolored my image. I can't really makeup my mind if it's an improvement or not. We both got rid of a lot of the image's bottom which I think is definitely an improvement. I left more of a wall of green to somewhat dwarf my subjects. I can't really explain why I like this part of my photo better. You left some space on the left side. I'll have to think about that.

karm

[Mike Buckley]

I like John's space on the left side. The boy is looking into it and that works very well.

[Karm Redland]

Good point.

karm

[JPS]

Karm,
A bit naughty I know; but I could not help myself and had to turn the lady's head.
As I said this is just my view and I fully appreciate the only real vision for your picture, is your one.
But as I said above, I've enjoyed looking and thinking about your work.
Thanks.