Practicing my people skills

[Donald]

Not known for my 'people photography', I've been trying to do more of that. An opportunity comes from events such as the national ploughing championships. I suppose it's a sort-of rural version of 'street photography'.

I like the light and tones in this one. You view and opinions are welcomed.


40D, 70-200mm f/4L IS @ 200mm.

And another one..........


40D, 70-200mm f/4L IS @ 200mm.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture, almost impossible to tell what they were doing without your tip about ploughing.

[Donald]

Nice capture, almost impossible to tell what they were doing without your tip about ploughing.

Good point. Interested to read the views of others about this. Should we be seeing more of what is going on? Is it obvious that the man on the left is on an older-style tractor and therefore the theme is agricultural? If not, should it do so?

[Shadowman]

Good point. Interested to read the viewds of others about this. Should we be seeing more of what is going on? Is it obvious that the man on the left is on an older-style tractor and therefore the theme is agricultural? If not, should it do so?

Even though the two men aren't looking at each other, we see some interaction between them. It's that unseen subject and sharing of attention that carries the image. For me, it directs my attention to other sections of the composition and as I recognize the steering wheel and exhaust column I begin to get the agricultural theme.

[Dave Humphries]

To me the subject was obvious, as those kinda tractors were common when I grew up.

So for me it has drama, because if the driver moves in either direction, the chap apparently standing between the wheels had better have good reactions, or he risks getting a nudge from the front or rear wheels.

Rightly or wrongly (wrt horizon), I might rotate to make the bonnet (hood) horizontal and exhaust vertical.

A puff of smoke from the latter would be nice

The darker cloud line across the top of frame is fundamental to the successful composition.

For me, the handle intruding into left of frame is a minor distraction, but I know you don't like me suggesting cloning things out

HTH, Dave

[ST1]

Donald for me Dave (#5) has highlighted all of the points that I would have responded with, all apart from the addition of a little exhaust fumes that is .

BTW the tractor looks fairly modern to me, given the instrument binnacle and the rear light on the mudguard

[Geoff F]

Maybe pulling back a little and showing a bit more on the bottom and left would have placed the action in a better context for those who aren't familiar with tractors?

The men are looking to the left, but we are wondering why.

[FrankMi]

Good one Donald!

I think an appropriate title would clear up the subject without having to back out of the frame and potentially loose some of the detail expression in their faces.

Other than the cloud line, I don't see anything that would indicate that the scene is or is not level. How often would the field the tractor is on be perfectly level?

[Dave Humphries]

Rightly or wrongly (wrt horizon), I might rotate to make the bonnet (hood) horizontal and exhaust vertical.

Other than the cloud line, I don't see anything that would indicate that the scene is or is not level. How often would the field the tractor is on be perfectly level?

Ooooh - I hadn't considered the cloud line, I was happy for the ground behind to tilt, as Frank says, fields are not often on the level, but the cloud line being angled might be too much, even though a real possibility.

[Donald]

Have just added a second image to the original post above. Again, any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Geoff F]

That one is working well.

[Rebel]

Really like the 2nd image, great shot!

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, 2nd image.

[William W]

The second image has real 'grit and guts' to it.

That's a keeper.

Nice shot!

WW

[nishachara]

Second image is wonderful, works perfect in Black and white. First one, I feel, bit tight crop not conveying any story and also lack the unitysince the driver and other chap are not connected and there is some third person/thing which is missing from fame, I may be wrong on this, just my opinion.
thanks
shashi

[pnodrog]

Good point. Interested to read the views of others about this. Should we be seeing more of what is going on? Is it obvious that the man on the left is on an older-style tractor and therefore the theme is agricultural? If not, should it do so?

I think a caption may be enough. As I would like to see a few more you could just do a little photo essay that explains it all.

The expression of relaxed concentration on the tractor drivers face is great. I wonder how it would look with a little more contrast.

[wilgk]

Sorry to be late to the thread & I'm commenting without reading what others have said, I'm sorry... My thoughts are that I want just a bit more of the tractor wheel & body of the person not driving in image 1, even though I know what it is about, I still just would prefer that composition.
The second is just fine as it is, nice work.

[IzzieK]

Both are nice shots, Donald...especially the second one...

[Slipper]

I like "at work" type shots and these two fit the bill for me. First makes me wonder whar they are both looking at, should we show it or keep it as a guess, dont know the answer to that
Second shot looks like a bit of gossip going on, like that, maybe I would like the background a little sharper, just to hint a little more of whats there.
Two very nice shots though.

[dubaiphil]

Donald - have you got the 24-70 or 50 prime? If so and you want to try to get a bit more out of your comfort zone, then I think it would be beneficial to get closer.

Both shots being crops from 200mm very much gives a sense of 'picking them off' from range, rather than getting close and personal. What's the worst that's going to happen? Although farmers are known to be armed to the teeth! With the subjects being participants at a public event I'm sure they'd realised that there would be photographers around so chances of people taking offence would be diminished.