alberth2012 Loc: Virginia

Is is possible to comment on two different levels? One, the technical; the other, the emotional?
Thanks guys,

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Not knowing in what circumstances the subject are taken in, photographically speaking, they look a little forlorn.
The photograph would stand a little crop to bring the subjects closer, subject to noise of course.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

It is, but first you have to share your emotions along with the image

Dunatic

Sure, I believe you can comment on emotional and technical aspects of a photo. Say if you only had this one photo to convey a feeling, I'd say crop it tighter so the viewer can see the emotions on the lady's face or the child, what looks like he's praying? Anyway, the viewer can imagine what is going on in this photo. To me, this photo is depicting some sort of sadness. That would be the emotional side of the photo to evoke a feeling from the viewer. Now the technical, which I mentioned, I'd crop close so you can see the expressions (or non-expressions on their faces. The wall is just a background it doesn't add or detract as far as I can tell. Maybe if it were showing a city in ruins or something, I'd leave it alone, but it's just a wall - I'd crop. Anyway, this is just my opinion and by the way...I like this photo. Cheryl

alberth2012 Loc: Virginia

Thank you Leicaflex,
That is exactly how I felt in encountering them on a walk in Granada, Guatemala. I think cropping it will lose a bit that sense of loneliness, Don't you?
Thanks again.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Well, my first thought is that there is no "zing" factor...nothing I can hang my hat on...something that causes a double take.

The moment (at least in my opinion is "off") for what you've got.

IF you had cropped VERY tight on the woman's face and baby then for me it might have worked but as it is...it's not specific enough.

What message were you trying to convey with this or what was your point?

That's the important thing...then we can see figure out if your tech details hit or missed.

alberth2012 Loc: Virginia

Thanks docrob,
Sure: on a Sunday morning in Granada, Guatemala, I came across this sad, but determined, looking woman, next to his companion in a seemingly praying pose.
Do you share?

alberth2012 Loc: Virginia

Thank you Dunatic
Got you! It seems that most everybody concurs on the needs for cropping. Here I did just that, and somehow, the impression changed a bit--for me at least. She now appears more defiant (or even protective of her kid) than sad, which was not my feeling at that moment.

This is showing me the power of "framing"/"cropping" an image.

Thanks again.

alberth2012 Loc: Virginia

Thanks rpavich,
As I said above, those people on an empty street stroke me for their sad appearance, and my question was precisely because I was not sure I conveyed my feelings with that picture. I cropped it tighter as you suggested, you can see above the result.

Now that you so well put me in the spot, I think to recognize a lack of sharpness, or contrast?

Thanks again!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The crop definitely helped to zero in on what it is you saw...much much better.

I'm not sure about sharpness or such because the picture posted is so low resolution that it's hard to see detail..

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

well after years of being married to a shrink - i'd have to say the "sadness" you felt - is probably your sadness - to me she looks worried or just lost in thought. In either case what ever she was feeling/thinking did not come through in the image

alberth2012 Loc: Virginia

Ha! This is more than what I bargained for... and I appreciate it more than I can say! :D
Regards,
:-D

ShaZam

Okay - I'll weigh in. I think the picture has potential but if what you captured does capture your mood - what does it do? For me a great photo stirs emotion in me. Sadness or lacking hope is not a favorite emotion but a very real experience for someone facing crisis. How does one cope? What do they do?

All the white space makes the subjects look small - I think that can promote a sense of being overwhelmed, small and part of something greater or alone and lonely. I agree it needs to be cropped, but the little boy appears to be praying and his sibling in his mother's (?) arms is almost pointing the one way point of christians. In her i see something fearful, fatigue and a deep resolve accepting fate - perhaps cynicism. I think you have to include all three for the photo to carry a message.

I would crop with the woman at about first third quadrant leave the last third (to the rt) open. She is looking out and the boy is looking down - so they need looking space. Then I would play with contrast and color. Also, if these three are facing a crisis and coping together, the young boy is too far from the woman. They don't look very together in this. This might be more work than you want to invest but I think it would add some missing wow factor.

Personally I find the shot intriging - approaching the mood (but less drama) of the woman from the depression with her children in the dustbowl.
Anyway - these are just my thoughts. The world doesn't spin on my single opinion (nor should it) but that doesn't keep me from voicing it every now and then. :thumbup: ;)

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Shazam, i have no clue who is projecting what and like you i don't think it matters - while reading your post I got so caught up in your description that I forgot about the photograph. I enjoyed reading your opinion. :thumbup:

abby Loc: Tampa, Florida

Both composition and technique are OK.

Try cropping the lower edge of the side walk out and consider converting this to black and white and see how it looks.

Here are examples of a picture that looks better in B & W

color


black and white