Brave Guardians Guarding The Tribute

[fotugraphy]

Hi, going forward on my photography venture I stopped and clicked another shot. Can you please review it and let me know what exactly is missing for it to make it much better?

It is an old image and was shot at India Gate, New Delhi. I tried to capture the soldier's vision towards Memorial and used the wall to act as a barrier to stop viewer's eye to go out of the frame from the top half. I also framed the shot in such a way that the vibrant flowers (I also like the color contrast) helps to guide the viewer's eye from left to right and out of the frame from bottom half.

I'm not sure if this is a right thing to do i.e blocking viewer's eye from top half and forcefully taking away his eyes from the bottom half out of the frame after viewing important elements in the image.

With the post processing I have avoided adding vignette to the image (i.e of the left wall and on floor) because of the fact i have strongly increased Sharpeness, Vibrance and Contrast (I must admit it was a hazy day) for rest of the elements which helps to make a visual path for the viewer.

Please share your views about the composition and post processing. I already posted a similar shot previously but this one is a different frame. I have noted the suggestions from respect CIC members and will try to fix those mistakes for my next photoshoot of India Gate.

Thank You

PS : Please click on the image for lightbox screen view (Highly recommended)

[rpcrowe]

Very well done image. In this case the extended DOF improves the image because the background is an integral part of the image. This is an environmental portrait, not specifically a portrait of the soldier...

[FrankMi]

Hi Raj, I'm not seeing anything amiss with either the composition or the post processing that I would change.

You could go down your list of rules of composition (they are more like guidelines really), and if you find one that you question for this image, post your concern.

[Mike Buckley]

This is probably my favorite photo of your versions of this scene.

[Wavelength]

I liked the image well...yet i feel the air of the guard and the direction he looks is lighten the mood of the image. you could have waited until he straightened his face and stood with a bit more serious attitude.....
Regards

[fotugraphy]

Very well done image. In this case the extended DOF improves the image because the background is an integral part of the image. This is an environmental portrait, not specifically a portrait of the soldier...

Thanks a lot for your kind review and for correcting me about Environmental Portrait.

[fotugraphy]

Hi Raj, I'm not seeing anything amiss with either the composition or the post processing that I would change.

You could go down your list of rules of composition (they are more like guidelines really), and if you find one that you question for this image, post your concern.

Thanks a lot for your valuable review and feedback. Yup, I have mixed those composition guidelines to frame this image. Hope it did it right

[fotugraphy]

This is probably my favorite photo of your versions of this scene.

Thanks a lot for your valuable review M really glad that this image caught your attention

[fotugraphy]

I liked the image well...yet i feel the air of the guard and the direction he looks is lighten the mood of the image. you could have waited until he straightened his face and stood with a bit more serious attitude.....
Regards

Thanks a lot for your kind review and feedback. You mean something like this?



Or

[Shadowman]

Raj,

Very nice. If you re-edit the last two, consider losing the chain in the last.

[fotugraphy]

Raj,

Very nice. If you re-edit the last two, consider losing the chain in the last.

Thanks a lot for your review and suggestion about the crop. I will surely process them after few days

[RustBeltRaw]

I tried to capture the soldier's vision towards Memorial and used the wall to act as a barrier to stop viewer's eye to go out of the frame from the top half. I also framed the shot in such a way that the vibrant flowers (I also like the color contrast) helps to guide the viewer's eye from left to right and out of the frame from bottom half.

I'm not sure if this is a right thing to do i.e blocking viewer's eye from top half and forcefully taking away his eyes from the bottom half out of the frame after viewing important elements in the image.

You are clearly thinking about how to lead the viewer's eye around your frame, which is excellent. Personally, I think the composition works well, though the saturation is a little heavy for my tastes. I love vibrant colors, but for the somber subject of a soldier guarding a memorial, I would have toned it down a bit. The profile shot strikes me as the strongest of the three.

A tighter crop or another composition might be worth a try. Look for a strong connection between the soldier and the memorial. Perhaps just his portrait before the wall of names(?) on the memorial, or a shot containing just him and the black statue.

[Wavelength]

The last image is the most near to my intention...the second image is too much of "stand at ease"

[fotugraphy]

You are clearly thinking about how to lead the viewer's eye around your frame, which is excellent. Personally, I think the composition works well, though the saturation is a little heavy for my tastes. I love vibrant colors, but for the somber subject of a soldier guarding a memorial, I would have toned it down a bit. The profile shot strikes me as the strongest of the three.

A tighter crop or another composition might be worth a try. Look for a strong connection between the soldier and the memorial. Perhaps just his portrait before the wall of names(?) on the memorial, or a shot containing just him and the black statue.

Thanks a lot for the review and the suggestion. I will be going to India Gate for a reshoot in near future. I will surely try to get the shot which you suggested. I must admit, it is not the sharpest of the lenses. But for the connection i will use my 90mm prime lens. Really appreciated

[fotugraphy]

The last image is the most near to my intention...the second image is too much of "stand at ease"

Thanks for the suggestion. I will surely edit the one which you prefer in near future.