Street Accordian Player

[Rebel]

Bumped into this guy outside a newsagents, he played that thing very well and I gave him a couple of pound for his picture.

I'm not entirely happy with the way it came out, the background is very distracting and I'm not sure about the post-processing, any feedback is welcome.



EDIT:

Tried it in B&W and a little more post-processing, I think I prefer this one:\



He's got a smile on his face in this one

[bnnrcn]

B&W looks much better Although his eyes are not open in the photo, I'm impressed by him, he looks kind of sad.

[Rebel]

Ha, I do actually have another shot where he is awake and smiling which I will put up tomorrow! I just preferred this one

[Geoff F]

Looks like your shutter speed was a little on the slow side so his hands have slightly blurred. Darkening the right side certainly helps but because your main subject is on the left side and also facing left, I would consider a crop from the right as well. Maybe 4 x 5 ratio?

Would probably work with the colour version.

[Kodiak]

…any feedback is welcome.

Hey Matt,

I prefer by far the first one! …and I don't mind being alone in that camp…

The picture is so wrong technically (and in many ways) but this is not a
technical picture. This is the best "human character study" shot I have
seen in a long time: this is pure humanity, a jewel! …from both sides of
the camera: the subject —for what he his, and YOU — for being sensible!

To me, the man does not look sad but happy, shy, and very concentrated!

IMO, the more you will try to make it better technically, the less human
character will be left in it.

…a jewel! Thanks.

[Rebel]

Hey Matt,

I prefer by far the first one! …and I don't mind being alone in that camp…

The picture is so wrong technically (and in many ways) but this is not a
technical picture. This is the best "human character study" shot I have
seen in a long time: this is pure humanity, a jewel! …from both sides of
the camera: the subject —for what he his, and YOU — for being sensible!

To me, the man does not look sad but happy, shy, and very concentrated!

IMO, the more you will try to make it better technically, the less human
character will be left in it.

…a jewel! Thanks.

Hi Kodiak, thank you for your comments.

The gentleman did come across as happy

[Shadowman]

The magazine rack makes a great comparative shape to the accordion, I would reduce to tones (highlights and shadows) and clone out the rest.