Street portrait - the reader

[ionian]

Shot from the hip, and let me tell you, that's something I need to get better at.

[Dave Humphries]

I like the balance imparted by the coke can and the pigeon.

Might be an odd thing to say, but it is what struck me.

Dave

[Geoff F]

If the Coke Can had been sharply focused I would have agreed with Dave; but as it is, I would clone it out.

Good composition.

[ionian]

Thanks both - i was caught between your positions, I liked the compositional element of the can but was frustrated that it wasn't sharp. I looked at it without the can but I settled on having it in, for balance and because it really adds something to the image.

[ccphoto]

I took the liberty of doing a B&W conversion because I really liked the setting. I did not like the bird, the can or any of the other debris under the bench and I disappeared it because it all only served to take my eye away from the reader. You might want to give the conversion a look. I think you'll like it.

[Shadowman]

Nicely framed.

[marlunn]

Interesting Simon, I also like the pigeon / can etc as it makes me see the focus points as transitory - the can, the pigeon and the person within the permanence of the location / bench, strangely enought I took a street shot (unusual for me) yesterday of a person reading as well.

[ionian]

I took the liberty of doing a B&W conversion because I really liked the setting. I did not like the bird, the can or any of the other debris under the bench and I disappeared it because it all only served to take my eye away from the reader. You might want to give the conversion a look. I think you'll like it.

Feel free to post your edit Chris - my initial reaction is that cleaning the image to that degree would change the photo beyond my initial vision, but I'd be happy to have a look at it.

[IzzieK]

Good composition Simon....the coke can and the bird anchors the reader and forms the balance of the triangle. Well done.

[MrB]

I like the balance imparted by the coke can and the pigeon.
Dave

+1

I looked at it without the can but I settled on having it in, for balance and because it really adds something to the image.

+1 ... exactly right

Good composition Simon....the coke can and the bird anchors the reader and forms the balance of the triangle. Well done.

+1

You might want to give the conversion (B&W) a look. I think you'll like it.

It's OK but I prefer it in colour. It's fine as it is, but if it were mine, I would reduce the brightness of the light tones a bit (e.g. a slight downward 'curves' adjustment at the top end) and slightly increase the overall colour saturation.

Cheers.
Philip

[ionian]

Philip - I also have version like that, but used a film emulator on the above edit to make it less digitally perfect (if that makes sense). Here is the natural colour version:

[ccphoto]

It's just a different take, Simon. It's not better, just different.

[ionian]

Thanks Chris - I agree that it works, but I prefer keeping the can and bird in the shot. You can take a pic of a guy sat on a bench with a book much more often than a shot that includes the other compositional elements, which gives it a little bit extra.

I like your conversion but the saturation is important for the colour of the can IMO.

[bnnrcn]

I find this version better Simon, a nice image

Philip - I also have version like that, but used a film emulator on the above edit to make it less digitally perfect (if that makes sense). Here is the natural colour version:

[IzzieK]

+1 to Binnur's comments. I prefer this coloured version better too.

[MrB]

Philip - I also have version like that, but used a film emulator on the above edit to make it less digitally perfect (if that makes sense). Here is the natural colour version:

That is the sort of colour version I meant, Simon - much better in my view - thank you.

Cheers.
Philip

[Shanghai Steve]

I can't but think most people are missing the point. This is a well-composed shot, taken from the hip, which is rather difficult.

[MrB]

I can't but think most people are missing the point. This is a well-composed shot, taken from the hip, which is rather difficult.

How? The majority here like Simon's composition with the can and the bird.

Cheers.
Philip

[ionian]

Thanks Steve - but let me be honest, it was a lucky composition using a technique that I am not very good at

My camera has a silent mode using an electronic shutter, so I was ready to do all sorts of stealth photography. Of course I forgot to turn it on at the start, so my attempts at ninja photography were somewhat let down by the crack of the mechanical shutter.

[Shanghai Steve]

I know that one Simon. Stealth photography is counter-intuitive to the techniques required by most other genres. Commenting on this site with photographers from completely different backgrounds seems a bit like that quote about The US and UK: "Two countries divided by a common language." I am probably going to buy an A7 next month and I note with some trepidation that the shuttersound is apparently loud and distinctive and the AF slightly slower than that of the A6000. I believe that changing my lens from the (excellent) Sony 50/1.8 for cropped sensors to the Zeiss FF 55/1.8 has made me more noticeable; I think the distinctive petal-shaped hood has a bit to do with it as this makes it look more "professional". I am bracing myself for possible problems with the more expensive-looking camera with the more professional-looking lens. And I have since got myself a very short haircut to cope with the heat, which has the side-effect of making my look a lot more blond. So, a blond LaWai with a distinctive haircut walking around SH with a professional-looking camera is far more likely to provoke suspicion in the kinds of places I tend to get my best shots, which is the kind of place that Laowai don't tend to go. I think I will have to change my strategy.
Many people think "People photography equals go where there are loads of people" but it doesn't always work like that. For instance, the pedestrianised Nanjing Road is invariably packed with people, including someone every 100m saying "You want girl? You want massage? Come...just look, pretty girls" However, most of these people are doing very boring things.
I plan to get away from the city when I can. If I do, I hope I get some shots in new places.
I would also note that I hope to learn about the kinds of photography that other members of CiC are so obviously good at, while hopefully improving my SP.