magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Here's my other pal John, together with his wife Julie in their home, which I love. You may remember me taking a shot in his front room and asking for suggestions. I had lots of help from FYC members for which I am very grateful and I did take notice, but didn't achieve the shot I wanted in that room. This is in the back room, where lighting was easier and I do like it. Camera angles a bit low though. I may be able to persuade them to have another go so if you have ideas for improvement, please say. I do want to include the surroundings as they are very much part of the couples character.

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I don't see a problem with the angle at all. Since you can't really crop any off the top, how about erasing the ceiling in the upper right corner? I believe that would improve the photo. Nice job with the black and white, by the way.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I like John's suggestion for cloning out that small bit of ceiling.

There are things that would work better for me regarding composition - such as placing the couple on the same side of the table and moving the satchel to a less prominent position (the low angle emphasizes that, as well as the gentleman's knees - lol), but this is coming from a viewer who doesn't know this couple or their home. If you and they like it, I'd say you have a winner! B&W seems an excellent choice also.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I should have done that jaymatt - in fact I'm sure an alternative shot did allow me to lose it. Bit late now as I've given them a print. Thanks for the suggestion though, at least I can improve my copy!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I particularly like the fact that they are at opposite sides of the table - it was the picture I saw the first time I went in the room (in my head, not reality). I must say, they were both very accommodating when I asked to take their portrait. I did take shots of them sitting together, looking a bit cosier, but for me this is the best. They said they liked it, but I've given them a set of half-a-dozen or so, so if they don't really go for it, there should be something in the bunch they like. My thanks as always for commenting Linda.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

My first thought was: " I really like that!"
But then it occurred to my analytical side..."what a weird composition"...
but the realize I liked it precisely because of the composition, with the large spoked bicycle wheel, the table, and the slanted valse...all within those strong lines of perspective meeting way out beyond the big wheel's axel!
Great composition!
I'll bet they love it!

Dave

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Dave, glad it persuaded you! They did like it. There seems to be a bicycle in every room - haven't been upstairs, wonder if there's one in the bedroom?

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Cant go with the flow here Dave. Composition is fine by me but the lens distortions I find uncomfortable for want of a better word. He has a huge knee the young lady has no neck the floor slopes and the table top does not. Love the bike satchel in just the right place and a different lens or POV and its good to go.
I will not ask what brings you to question if they have a bicycle in their sleeping quarters! That's a definite Billy thought and you were warned about getting too close were you not? Suggest you seek treatment before Billyism really takes a hold.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Can't disagree with you on the distortion Billy, it's not helped by the low level of the camera - I took another with Julie square to camera and she has a huge foot, which has caused a chuckle or two! In fact, I'm considering posting a shot from the front room where a bit of Photoshop has exaggerated the size of her pink crocs even further and lengthened her legs - she now calls herself the BFG. Would like to have a go at it with liquify first though.
No, really, I just wondered, in all innocence, if there might be one upstairs, it's getting crowded downstairs - where would keep a tandem for example?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

These folks look pleasant, perky, and comfortable which is the way you want them to look to get the shot they wanted. I agree with you that the angle is a bit low, giving the image a distortion that may be simply from the lens or perhaps from your correction of it, more pronounced on his side than hers. I like everything about the "props" except the satchel, which blocks her feet and keeps the couple from being "brackets" of each other, and the little triangle of darker ceiling above her head that is also a function of either distortion or its correction. It is still a nicely detailed informal portrait with good light and plenty detail.

Thanks for sharing this project. I am a believer in having projects, and in sharing them for feedback as we move toward a final solution.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

A lot of correction at the sides Min, really pushed it. I did get Julie to turn 'square-on' so as to balance things more, but turned her into Bigfoot.
Over two posts, I've had a load of help from FYCers, and hope I can refine things further - I agree the 'project' approach does work. Next week I'll ask if they're up for another sitting.
Thanks for joining in, much appreciated.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I'm late to the party but I wanted to remark that I like this portrait very, very much, precisely because of what it says about them, who they are, what they like, what they are like. I don't know them but I bet I would like them.

Yes, there are technical issues. I checked the exif. That's a 16mm on a full frame. With that lens you get wide-angle distortions, such as the knee (I know you know this, I'm just stating the case). John's knee is distorted. The fact is I didn't even see it until it was pointed out. Maybe the angle is too low (but with that lens placement gets pretty critical). There's an apparently random satchel there (but you said she was maybe wearing orange Crocs?).

So what?

I presume you were in a small room backed up against the wall. Waddyagonnado? You have terrific light, terrific atmosphere, lovely people waaaaaay inside their comfort zone, but the room's too small. The shortest my camera's fixed zoom goes is 24mm (equivalent). I can't even make this picture in this room, unless I maybe make two and blend them as a panorama or something. (When I was working I sometimes had to come up with bizarre solutions based on equipment limitations.)

Here on the 'hog we have lots of what I call angels-head-of-a-pin discussions (if you don't know the reference you can Google it). I've found myself at the heart of some of them (which I never intended but I'm kinda dumb that way). Such a question could be, Is this a portrait? setting up the argument of What is a portrait? I think it is a portrait. Some will think it is not. I think it is because it captures the very essence of two people that I don't even know and never will, so by that measure it's not only a portrait, it's a good portrait! When I was working I made a significant amount of my living doing portraits. Most of mine had a lot in common with executions - up against the wall. I did thousands of bread-and-butter portraits like that in my studio, but the ones I liked were the so-called environmental portraits and family groups, done outdoors or on the folks' own turf, trying to say something more about them than the hallowed good likeness. To my mind this is a portrait, warts and all, well beyond a good likeness.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

[quote=Chuck_893]I'm late to the party....

Yes, you'd like them for sure Chuck, I'd defy anyone not to like them!
You're right about having my back to the wall as well, no option. What
I could perhaps have done was raise the camera height and centre myself between the couple a bit better. It wouldn't have lessened the distortion but may have evened it up a bit.
To my mind it's definitely a portrait - showing them and their environment in all its glory, just the way it is. I hope I can get some more shots of them in a while.
Many thanks for your encouraging comment, much appreciated.