On my monitor, it looks like her face is spraypainted black.

Maybe it's the heavy hand with the contast/grain?

WOW. Love it. The empty chair, the bottle and cup on the stand beside her, the way she's looking to the left as if she heard something... this shot tells such a story! I enjoyed this shot so much... thank you.

Wow, never has a chair looked so empty. Excellent.

funny this shot to me is more about that empty chair--it's so prominent. Where you looking for chairs?

I think the shadows on her face works--that's what you would see if you were walking by because of the light directly overhead--so I wouldn't try and bring out the shadows in this shot.
I am also fascinated by the clutter on the rightside of the frame--so much to look at--from the sideways table, coulderon, beer, teacup and the exposed plugs.



What a shot.

Awesome!

Originally Posted by lizzard_nyc I think the shadows on her face works

I disagree.. the basic definition of photography is "the art or process of producing pictures by this action of light" or simply put- "painting with light".

In this case, it was an interesting composition if you look at the sum of it's parts. However- the most *basic* element, LIGHT, was not filling the face of the "subject"- in this case- the lady with the horrid shadow on her face. That takes the wind out of the sails in this photo..

I don't know if the PP could save this shot, but I would try to fix it- like the Jewish Guy in the Tornado photo you posted.. the shadow obscured the face of the main subject.

Wonderful shot.

Virginia

This shot is awesome! The tipped on it's side table with the wash basin next to it (saving space I assume). The "not quite to code" electrical wiring on the wall. The plant in the lower right. It looks like they are trying to make an "inside space" out of an outside space. Like was said before this picture tells an entire story.

Originally Posted by misterb I disagree.. the basic definition of photography is "the art or process of producing pictures by this action of light" or simply put- "painting with light". In this case, it was an interesting composition if you look at the sum of it's parts. However- the most *basic* element, LIGHT, was not filling the face of the "subject"- in this case- the lady with the horrid shadow on her face. That takes the wind out of the sails in this photo.. I don't know if the PP could save this shot, but I would try to fix it- like the Jewish Guy in the Tornado photo you posted.. the shadow obscured the face of the main subject.

I think maybe pj is an exception to the rule and it's not always about light, but rather telling a story. I also don't think she's THE story, nor is she the main subject--it's the entire scene--so i don't think the fact that her face is hidden in the shadows needs to be fixed.

So ok we disagree.

Originally Posted by misterb I disagree.. the basic definition of photography is "the art or process of producing pictures by this action of light" or simply put- "painting with light". In this case, it was an interesting composition if you look at the sum of it's parts. However- the most *basic* element, LIGHT, was not filling the face of the "subject"- in this case- the lady with the horrid shadow on her face. That takes the wind out of the sails in this photo.. I don't know if the PP could save this shot, but I would try to fix it- like the Jewish Guy in the Tornado photo you posted.. the shadow obscured the face of the main subject.

YOU say the woman is the subject; many of us say the chair is the subject. You don't like faces in shadows; some people like faces in shadows. You define photography as painting with light; some people would define it as using a light sensitive medium and lens to capture scenes the photographer has observed.

Different strokes for different folks.

Fabulous image, Jen. I wish the face was opened up a bit, but it's a fabulous image none the less.

Originally Posted by bdcolen YOU say the woman is the subject; many of us say the chair is the subject. You don't like faces in shadows; some people like faces in shadows. You define photography as painting with light; some people would define it as using a light sensitive medium and lens to capture scenes the photographer has observed.

When something is smack dab in the middle of a composition, it *becomes* the subject merely by drawing the viewers eyes to it.

I don't define photography as "the art or process of producing pictures by this action of light" but rather- that is Merriam Websters definition.

The chair is simply ancillary and subuordinate to the woman, again- one part of the sum.

You may disagree, but that's my take and I'm sticking with it.

http://www.camera.canon.com.my/archi...graphy/art.htm

1. What is the theme or message of the photograph? A theme is different from a photograph's title. A theme is the idea or reason why a particular photograph is to be photographed that way. A theme can be on anything like say, "Celebration", and such photographs will most likely be an anniversary, a birthday, a wedding, a group of people offering a toast or winning a game. That is what a theme means.

2. Which is to be the main subject of the picture? The one that attracts attention from anybody who looks at it and instantly knows which one is the main subject without having to ask from the photographer concerned. In other words, the centre of attention and the most powerful element in all photographs.

3. Keep it simple. There is no need to show lots of unwanted details in the photograph, which will distract a viewer's attention from the main subject. Simplify the picture by retaining the necessary elements and keeping out the distractions as much as possible. Some of the surfers may have realised that they have actually read three pages of text and yet, there is still no sign of any accompanying photographs to illustrate the points described in the text.

Originally Posted by misterb http://www.camera.canon.com.my/archi...graphy/art.htm 1. What is the theme or message of the photograph? A theme is different from a photograph's title. A theme is the idea or reason why a particular photograph is to be photographed that way. A theme can be on anything like say, "Celebration", and such photographs will most likely be an anniversary, a birthday, a wedding, a group of people offering a toast or winning a game. That is what a theme means. 2. Which is to be the main subject of the picture? The one that attracts attention from anybody who looks at it and instantly knows which one is the main subject without having to ask from the photographer concerned. In other words, the centre of attention and the most powerful element in all photographs. 3. Keep it simple. There is no need to show lots of unwanted details in the photograph, which will distract a viewer's attention from the main subject. Simplify the picture by retaining the necessary elements and keeping out the distractions as much as possible. Some of the surfers may have realised that they have actually read three pages of text and yet, there is still no sign of any accompanying photographs to illustrate the points described in the text.

Center focused subjects are not usually the main subjects.
If you are going to compose a shot, you are not really supposed to center focus the main subject. That's there the rule of thirds comes in--and really it's the empty chair that is smack in the middle of the one point on the grid (for the rule of thirds), not the woman.

Again like B.D. said you think she's the center--others think it's the chair, and that is where my eye flows, not so much the woman.

if you read the above info you copied--look at #2, most who have looked at this shot think the chair is the main focus. Or the other point that draws my eyes is the clutter on the other side that is brightly lit and is also in the cross hairs of the center points if you follow the rule of thirds. The middle subject the lady is just part of the story.

Originally Posted by lizzard_nyc Center focused subjects are not usually the main subjects. If you are going to compose a shot, you are not really supposed to center focus the main subject. That's there the rule of thirds comes in--and really it's the empty chair that is smack in the middle of the one point on the grid (for the rule of thirds), not the woman. Again like B.D. said you think she's the center--others think it's the chair, and that is where my eye flows, not so much the woman. if you read the above info you copied--look at #2, most who have looked at this shot think the chair is the main focus. Or the other point that draws my eyes is the clutter on the other side that is brightly lit and is also in the cross hairs of the center points if you follow the rule of thirds. The middle subject the lady is just part of the story.

Rule of what?! Rules? What rules??

The "rule of thirds" is not necessarily a rule- but a guideline- like the 65mph speed limit signs that often go ignored.

My understanding is that, from the late 1700's, the "rule of thirds" was primarily for painters... photography wasn't an issue then.

"The “Rule of Thirds” one of the first things that budding digital photographers learn about in classes on photography and rightly so as it is the basis for well balanced and interesting shots.
I will say right up front however that rules are meant to be broken and ignoring this one doesn’t mean your images are necessarily unbalanced or uninteresting.

However a wise person once told me that if you intend to break a rule you should always learn it first to make sure your breaking of it is all the more effective!"

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds#ixzz13lLlEzPP

Originally Posted by bdcolen Rule of what?! Rules? What rules??

What's the first thing(s) that catch your eye here? Be honest!




I rest my case...





http://www.digital-photography-schoo...#ixzz13lLlEzPP

Originally Posted by misterb What's the first thing(s) that catch your eye here? Be honest! I rest my case... http://www.digital-photography-schoo...#ixzz13lLlEzPP

oh brother.
Also I know rules are meant to be broken but are guidelines. The other day on Michswiss' post I said the same thing, I liked her centerfocused subjects--I only brought up this rule/guideline to make a point on this particular post.

I know B.D. just posted another shot about rules what rules?.
I GET IT! again, it was meant to make a point about this shot and not agreeing that the center focused subject is the main subject in this instance.

Looks like it's time to call it quits for today. Please resume normal broadasting.

Beautiful subject and composition. Her face, looking off into the darkness, speaks of emptiness and longing. To her left, light - to her right, darkness. Beautiful, precise, and emotive. Nice.