Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Busking in Cambridge.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Excellent composition of the off centered subject framed by two properly out of focus folks in the background. A lively, interesting photo. But, heck, you know all this. :D

P.S. Those pearly whites pull one right into the frame.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Thank you Bmac, I do wish I'd toned down those highlights on his gum line.

PS: Have you seen this thread?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-166720-1.html
I've followed a couple others on street photography too, it makes me smile :-)

Graham

Nightski

You clicked the shutter button at the exact right moment. You have caught the joy of the gospel singer perfectly. Great DOF. I love the way the people in the background are part of the bokeh. Graham, this is probably the best shot you've ever taken.

Nightski

And Graham, I'm sure you are well aware of the things that make your photo a success. It's good to have them dissected in a public forum such as this. It's gives new photographers an idea of what to shoot for.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Not to mention juggling some tricky light levels.....

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

I post to have them dissected. I want to know what is not liked about my pictures, what is seen as good or bad about them :-)

Graham

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

It also gives us old people considering a new style of shooting. I haven't done a B/W in 40 years and have forgotten almost everything I ever knew. Thanks to Graham and some others on this forum, some of it is coming back. I am going to city park soon and try some people shots. Glad I am in digital instead of the dark room of yesterday.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks for the link Graham. Interesting conversation, especially if you weighed in.

I see you shot this photo at 300mm with an aperture of 5.6. A perfect setting for making sure your depth of field was narrow in order to throw any distractions out of focus. This is a rather rare use of a telephoto for you is it not? Did you hand hold at 1/80 of a second? If so you have steady hands indeed. :-)

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

I have commented, but I don't like to get too involved in that type of discussion ;-)
You are right about the telephoto, not my favourite lenses but they do ,at times do the job. Just another tool. All of my shots are hand held, I put my steady hands down to the fact that being a joiner all of my life they have had a good workout and are very fit :-)

Graham

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

OK, I'll go. Since you seem to be asking about your pictures, in general.... What I like about them, is not something I can always articulate which is why I rarely comment on what you do. I just like looking at them. They interest me because people interest me. Is that enough?

For this specific picture (and I don't know if this is "bad"- because I can't recommend a "fix), I'd like to see more tonal separation between the singer and the dark background. I know Russ Elkins (PalePictures) has this street portrait style where the faces emerge out of the darkness-- which I see as a metaphor for what he does-- and that definitely works for him. Is that happening here? I don't know. The singer seems to exude joy--but the image is "dark".... Is that the point: joy out of darkness? Or maybe it's just a picture.... and I'm over thinking it all.

Now my confession: I'm finding it harder to trust my instincts here (on this forum) because I don't often see what others are seeing.

But I do thank you for posting....

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Graham, forgive me if I sound a bit peeved, but, quite frankly, if you want us to dissect your images, it would be more helpful if you would give us something to work with. I have taken your pictures to much larger screens and enlarged them almost to full screen pixel size. I have examined your shots with loupes and have looked for every mistake I've ever seen or made. Now, Graham, I am seldom at a loss for words, and, when it comes to being critical or giving constructive advice, nobody has ever accused me of being the least bit reticent. Then you come along and show us pictures that we would love to be able to take - and you want criticism?! Well, sir, you are the best B&W photographer I have encountered since HCB - and I do not say that lightly! So, if you must have criticism, here it is. Your photographs are too dark and have too much contrast! There, now, I've said it. Are you happy? I am not! I do not know what you see when you take a picture nor do I know what you are feeling. Maybe a high contrast file is your goal. Most B&W images I see are too light (R. {Friedmann} Capa) or too dark (W. E. Smith).

Sorry, Graham, that's the best I can do. I hope you don't begin to think this is useless site and unworthy of your interest. Because, if you do, we will lose something (almost?) all of us want and need - an inspiration, a Mahatma (in the true sense of the word). We all want to learn from you, and we can learn by seeing your work! Oh, yes, if you do something I think could be better, I'll tell you. But I can't with what you've been posting. If you want dissection and criticism, post some mediocre pictures; everybody had some: Adams, Rowell, Lepp, Leibovitz, Smith, Weston; all had shots that needed help.

But, good grief, Graham, if you want criticism, give us something mere mortals can find something wrong with. And please continue to be a photographer that gives us something on which to set our sights. I sincerely hope I have not offended you by my tirade.

With deepest gratitude for your work,

Bill (Mogul)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

The figure on the right is not quite out of focus enough. My eye went immediately from your subject to the figure in the background. The one on the left is much harder to see and did not constitute a similar distraction. I like the vivacity of your main subject, and I can see an enthusiasm in him that is very appealing. Other than that, this is another very fine photograph.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Hello ebrunner, what you say is entirely correct about he person on the right, but the lens I was using at the time was wide open so I could not have got the background any more out of focus. What I could have done is burn the lighter areas somewhat.

Thank you,

Graham

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I did have a question for you. When I post, it is usually from things that I have done that day or recently. You seem to have very varied subjects. Do you get your photos for posting from your archives, or do you really have that lively a lifestyle? I also agree with previous posts that the photos you post are a learning tool for us. There is nothing wrong with setting the bar high. Thanks.