"Excuse me. Can I photograph your hands?"

[Donald]

An important rubicon was crossed last Wednesday in my photographic life. For the first time ever, I approached a total stranger and asked if I could take their photograph. I'm delighted to report that his response was "Of course. No problem at all".

'He' was a fisherman in the village of Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife. And he was repairing his nets.

This image is the result of that. It is, of course, part of my journey towards expanding my abilities and portfolio away from just landscape.

We often have discussions on here, particularly in the context of street photography, about asking strangers if we can take their photograph. I, like so many of us, have always shied away from doing so, for fear of rejection. I hope that now that I've done it once, I'll have the confidence to do it more often.

Any comments about the image or the idea of asking people if we can take their picture, will be welcomed.

[John 2]

I like this idea Donald. These sort of images fascinate me. I recall an image posted by Mike a year or so ago that I also enjoyed. Just a couple of thoughts on this one. The highlights in the rope upper center are a little strong for me and to a lesser extent, the ring on his finger should perhaps be differentiated slightly more (in the conversion) - all in MHO of course.

[ionian]

I agree with John's points but it's a well thought out and processed image Donald.

When asking if I can take a strangers photo, I usually start by saying that I'm a keen amateur and would they mind etc. In order to lessen the disruption to the subject, I'll only ask if they are where I want to photograph them: I wouldn't ask if I can take their picture and then try to move them into a different area, so knowing the shot I want in advance is key. I don't do it very often and I feel I miss opportunities through my own embarrassment or insecurities, but I've actually never been rejected.

[James G]

Donald, a 'classic' image, beautifully rendered. I think I echo John's comment about the wedding band, I did kind of do a double take to be sure it was a ring.That said. I know I could not have done as well.

As regards stepping outside your comfort zone, all I can say is that you put me to shame.

[rpcrowe]

I like the concept of this image however, the grain (noise) seems (for me) to soften the fisherman's hands...

[NorthernFocus]

I really like this one, Donald. It really tells a story and has great detail. Wandering around docks during fishing season should provide plenty of subject matter. Well done.

[IzzieK]

I agree with John and the others about the wedding ring. Somehow, to me it will focus the attention to it, which is quite natural because you asked about photographing his hand.

[Shadowman]

This one needs to be studied in order to see what elements are being used, how much of this is patterns or shadows and highlights, how much is texture. The vertical rope at first glance creates a rigid composition, yet it fades away and leads the eyes further into the composition. The angled netting also adds a bit of tension to a simple yet vibrant scene.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Donald,

I think you're moving far beyond me photographically, so please treat my critique as the words of the relatively uneducated.

There are several reasons I would not present this shot as you have, let me make clear that I'm not saying your version is not valid, just that I wouldn't have done it this way in an ideal world (i.e. some of the things I'll mention were beyond your control, but I feel I need to mention them anyway).

OK, let's get specific (and I hope to learn something from both your and others responses);

a) My initial thought was that it is a shame the image is divided in two halves by the bright rope running down the centre.
b) My next thought was why so grainy? I feel it overwhelms the subject, I can't see any texture in the hands because of it - it also made me completely miss the wedding ring until I read John's comments.
c) In fact there is more texture/detail in the netting and ropes.
d) The top right corner really has a bit of a hole in it content-wise, if mine, I would reduce this by cropping about one "net square's" worth off the top edge. I feel this also helps 'promote' the hands as being the subject of the image due to their improved compositional placement (YMMV).
e) The sunlit bend in the thick rope just past his knuckles is very bright and very central, so attracts my attention. It has detail (i.e. isn't blown) and does help show, in a monochrome image, where his hand ends and the rope starts, but I don't think it need be quite this bright.
f) The frayed end of thin rope that appears to be moving is intriguing; but again I see grain, not image detail (if you know what I mean).

What does all that mean?
Dunno - possibly that for an extraordinary fine art image of such activity, one either needs to get very lucky, or engineer (set dress) it entirely - something that undoubtedly flies in the face of this capture as 'documentary of local activities', which was probably your intent/ambition with it. IOW much of what I've said may not be relevant.

Oh well, it is writ now, so I hope it helps us both, Dave

[Donald]

Again, thank you everyone for your helpful comments and critiques.

As for ...............

There are several reasons I would not present this shot as you have, let me make clear that I'm not saying your version is not valid, just that I wouldn't have done it this way in an ideal world (i.e. some of the things I'll mention were beyond your control, but I feel I need to mention them anyway).

Thank you for that very detailed analysis, Dave. I am most certainly coming round to the view that I had too much porridge when adjusting the grain slider. Indeed, all the points you make are very valid. I'm going to go back to the start with this image and look at it again.

One of the main challenges was that the man had very 'un-fisherman' type hands. They were very smooth and soft looking. They were more the hands of an office-worker. So I was trying to inject some roughness and texture into them.

I will refer to your points as I go post process this again.

[Mike Buckley]

Rather than inject roughness and texture into the man's hands, consider emphasizing their natural smoothness perhaps by using Local Contrast Enhancement to bring out the texture of the ropes as a contrasting element.

I notice that you're tinting your monochromes lately. I'm especially glad to see that you're not limiting tinted images to scenes that have the characteristic of yesteryear.

I'm fortunate that I have never had any issues about asking people to take their photo. Sometimes I'll notice someone, explain their characteristic that I want to photograph, and move them to an area with better light to make that happen. I rarely get turned down. I've never been turned down by a parent when I'm asking to photograph their child.

[Mike Buckley]

I recall an image posted by Mike a year or so ago that I also enjoyed.

Thank you, John! That image of a pair of folded hands is the only photo I have formally matted, framed and hung in my home.

[Donald]

And so, with as much of the above advice taken on board as my little brain could handle (and agreed with), we have the second version. Again, any thoughts are welcomed.

If you open one in the Lightbox, you can then use the arrows to flick between the two.

[Shadowman]

I actually like the transition between images created through Lightbox, makes it seem like either aging or a change in light throughout the day.

[Daisy Mae]

I much prefer this rendition Donald.

[Mike Buckley]

Comparing the two versions is a study of how light leads our eye through the image. In the first one, the light immediately draws my eye away from the subject (the pair of hands). In the second one, it immediately draws my eye toward the subject. The detail in the rope is also a huge improvement.

I would consider eliminating the vertical piece of rope Dave mentioned for the reason he mentioned it.

[rpcrowe]

I played with this image because I like it.
First, I opened NIK Color Efex Pro and chose the "Lighten Center" which IMO is a type of vignette. I worked on this filter with the various sliders included. I then selected the ring hand with a Viveza control point and increased the structure drastically and contrast minimally. My intent was to achieve a low key and very gritty portrait of the left hand which (I think) was the result. What do you think???

The right hand left forearm and the nylon rope, as well as the netting seem to lead one's eye to the left hand. The relatively smooth wedding ring also contrasts with the gritty hand itself...
Looking at the image as it is, I might also have selected the area around the wedding ring with a Viveza control point and reduced the brightness a TAD which would minimize the reflection from the gold ring...
BTW: I am sure that the fisherman has worked this way for his lifetime but, I would advise anyone doing manual work of this type not to wear a ring while doing it as a safety precaution.

[William W]

. . . We often have discussions on here . . . about asking strangers if we can take their photograph. I . . . have always shied away from doing so, for fear of rejection. I hope that now that I've done it once, I'll have the confidence to do it more often. Any comments about the image or the idea of asking people if we can take their picture, will be welcomed.

I think that having a positive first experience always bodes well apropos instilling confidence.

I think that someone replying 'no' when asked if their photo can be taken is not 'rejection': but simply someone saying 'no' to a question asked of them.

I think it is better for a multiplicity of reasons, if you do choose to engage in a conversation, to never ask any closed questions.

***

I think the image does NOT require "hand toughening" in post production.

Also, the Black and White rendition (the second image), has more a warmer ingratiation and welcome to the Viewer’s Eye than the first image which appears on my monitor as a magenta/purple monochrome (i.e. not B&W) - was there a reason for that colour?

WW

[Donald]

Also, the Black and White rendition (the second image), has more a warmer ingratiation and welcome to the Viewer’s Eye than the first image which appears on my monitor as a magenta/purple monochrome (i.e. not B&W) - was there a reason for that colour?

Thank you, Bill.

That tone is Nik Silver Efex Pro's 'Medium Copper' tone (No 17 for those who use the tool). Straight out of the box with no further tweaking by me.

[bnnrcn]

I remember that image too Mike , it was a very nice image indeed

Thank you, John! That image of a pair of folded hands is the only photo I have formally matted, framed and hung in my home.