Street Musician (C&C appreciated)

[picsfrommt]

Every year the town I live in closes down Main Street. Food vendors and musicians setup to feed and entertain the crowd. I waited for a moment when nobody was crossing in front and snapped this.

The standard rule of thirds was tossed out the window, or maybe down a storm drain. So my question- does this photo still work and if so, why?



IMG_3931 - Version 3 by picsfrommt, on Flickr

[IzzieK]

Craig...only my opinion, OK?

The shot is too busy for start. This would have been good if in a portrait orientation (which might still be salvage this in PP).
Your story about people "setting up to feed and entertain the crowd" wasn't in the shot, so it sort of not complete your story of this lone musician in the middle of the street. Too much foreground I think...

I like the sharpness of the picture though...and what you are trying to convey in here -- the lone musician. Can you go back and re-shoot or you have others you can show us? Next time you see a scene you would like to shoot like this, either go closer or ask the guy to pose for you...this kind of guys will not mind their picture taken...

[Shadowman]

It works if you lose the foreground concrete. You'll get a bit of leading lines from the cars leading up to the musician.

[picsfrommt]

I choose a moment when nobody was in my frame to get a feeling of a lonely guitarist in the middle of the street. If you pulled back just a bit you'd see a lot of people listening to him. (He was pretty good.) So the photo doesn't convey the real story of what was going on. But I thought the made up story was more interesting than the real one. It did take a bit of patience waiting for a moment where I could present the fake story. So I probably shouldn't have mentioned the real story in the description.

Personally, I think I like the big empty space at his feet. But here's one without. It does change the feeling quite a bit.

IMG_3931 - Version 4 by picsfrommt, on Flickr

[juznobsrvr]

I choose a moment when nobody was in my frame to get a feeling of a lonely guitarist in the middle of the street.

It would seem that the original better conveys a sense of isolation and loneliness. With regards to the composition, I'm wondering if wide angle lens is the right tool for this scene. In my mind the composition may have been stronger if the subject was closer to the camera. Just my two cents here.

[plugsnpixels]

The uncropped image might have worked better if there were more room at the top, but as it is presented, the top of the frame is severely crowding the musician.

Aside from your original intent to show isolation, having the backs of the audience's heads on either side of him (shallow DOF) would be nice to see, since there is plenty of space. And to retain the isolation, perhaps a very low angle of him from the same position, with the pavement leading up to him and the empty sky above.

Tell him you'll be back ;-)

[plugsnpixels]

PS, and if I may go OT for a moment: juznobsrvr (Rob), I notice you are in Chino Hills (I am in Rancho). I love the way the Hills turn yellow in the spring and I got some artsy shots about a decade ago. The Hills haven't been as nice since (I see them every day on the 60 or 57), probably due to lack of rain and some development.

Anyway, I checked your website and your work is fantastic! PM me about being a Featured Artist in my next ezine. I am interested in your post-processing techniques.

[picsfrommt]

The uncropped image might have worked better if there were more room at the top, but as it is presented, the top of the frame is severely crowding the musician.

I cropped pretty close above the guitarist to get rid of some unsightly power lines just above his head. I've cloned those out now, but he still as a pole growing out of his head. I'm not good enough at PP to get rid of that. So here's what will probably be my final attempt at this picture.

Untitled by picsfrommt, on Flickr

[plugsnpixels]

That's less claustrophobic, thanks.

[picsfrommt]

That's less claustrophobic, thanks.

Sorry 'bout making you claustrophobic

[plugsnpixels]

It's OK, I'm better now! ;-)