The Cafe Owner: Brick Lane, London.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Brick Lane, London.

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oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Including the customer in the frame makes that shot just right.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Graham Smith wrote:

Brick Lane, London.

I'm not convinced that the customer in the upper left adds all that much to the photo. The owners expression and the table are wonderful. I also admire your black and white treatment. Very nicely done. Since I have some interest in this type of photography, I wonder if you asked the man if you could take his photo. He is looking right at you, and does not seem to be bothered in the slightest that you are taking his photo. Just curious about your methods.
Erich

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

ebrunner wrote:

I'm not convinced that the customer in the upper left adds all that much to the photo. The owners expression and the table are wonderful. I also admire your black and white treatment. Very nicely done. Since I have some interest in this type of photography, I wonder if you asked the man if you could take his photo. He is looking right at you, and does not seem to be bothered in the slightest that you are taking his photo. Just curious about your methods.
Erich

Thanks Erich, the guy upper left put me in a quandary, crop him out and it gets too tight on the subject for my taste, I like a bit of space in my pictures . I am wondering if by burning him in so much has made him more obvious?.

You don't capture expressions like his by dancing around trying to get a better angle

I seldom ask permission before I take a shot, I like the spontaneity of expression you get from shooting this way. I will always speak to the person afterwards, not to get approval or such, I have made the shot and it's mine, but to try to gain something of their story. This gentleman could have been a customer but I found out that he is the cafe owner and that his sons now run the business.
Graham

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

You are so right about it being too tight a crop to take out the other customer. I don't think he detracts that much from the image. He's just part of the scene and he's out of focus enough to not intrude on the subject.

You've changed your avatar, Graham! I hardly recognize you.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

AzPicLady wrote:

You are so right about it being too tight a crop to take out the other customer. I don't think he detracts that much from the image. He's just part of the scene and he's out of focus enough to not intrude on the subject.

You've changed your avatar, Graham! I hardly recognize you.

I think that having the second guy creates a nice diagonal recession.

I'm in stealth mode

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Graham Smith wrote:

Brick Lane, London.

Beautiful portrait, Graham. I like the black and white treatment and nice detail, which I think work very well. I, too, would prefer it without the customer, but understand that may not have been possible.
Steve

carlysue Loc: Columbus

I,too, like the black&white, excellent tone and seems to cover the gamut. Seeing the owner at the table with others using his establishment is the story. Otherwise its an informal portrait of a man at a table. I like stories.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Graham Smith wrote:

Thanks Erich, the guy upper left put me in a quand... (show quote)

Thanks for the information, Graham. I agree that a crop of the guy upper left would make the composition much tighter. Half the table would be cropped and I think the image would feel cramped as you mentioned. I do like your photo, and I appreciate the information about your technique with the subjects. It is something I need to improve upon in my photography. Much appreciated.
erich