Kwanzaa Drummer

hstrynrdhstrynrd Registered Users Posts: 122 Major grins
edited January 11, 2015 in Street and Documentary
Went with my wife and son to the Denver Zoo for the Zoo Lights event that is done every year. It just happened to coincide with the first night of Kwanzaa and there was a demonstration/education event that was going on. Unfortunately the lighting was really dim and I was unable to use a flash so I used my nifty-fifty and boosted the ISO on my 60D to 2000 (f2.2 ISO 2000 1/50) . Unfortunately it isn't as sharp as I'd like, but it's my first real attempt at this type of photography. I processed this in Lightroom predominantly for noise reduction. C&C welcome and appreciated.
DZLKwanzaa2014-6130_zps31470488.jpg

Comments

  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited December 29, 2014
    Overall, I think it's a good effort for starting out - exposure and lighting look fine (maybe a little yellow cast).
    Sharpness looks fine to me - tack sharp is not always expected in "street" photography.
    The subject is interesting, but, imo, the moment captured here is not the most flattering (his expression), or illustrative of his drumming.
    In this situation, be sure and take several frames - once they notice you, and then mentally dismiss you, you will get a chance to capture a more natural expression and/or activity.
    Also, move around for different angles - when you have a chance to edit, you may find an angle or background that will improve the composition.
    Good luck and keep shooting!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • hstrynrdhstrynrd Registered Users Posts: 122 Major grins
    edited December 29, 2014
    Earache wrote: »
    Overall, I think it's a good effort for starting out - exposure and lighting look fine (maybe a little yellow cast).
    Sharpness looks fine to me - tack sharp is not always expected in "street" photography.
    The subject is interesting, but, imo, the moment captured here is not the most flattering (his expression), or illustrative of his drumming.
    In this situation, be sure and take several frames - once they notice you, and then mentally dismiss you, you will get a chance to capture a more natural expression and/or activity.
    Also, move around for different angles - when you have a chance to edit, you may find an angle or background that will improve the composition.
    Good luck and keep shooting!

    Thanks for the feedback. Is this picture any better regarding the "style" that is sought after? I may have tried to remove the yellow cast too much.
    DZLKwanzaa2014v2-6181_zps39c197a6.jpg
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited December 29, 2014
    So, yes, you did have additional shots and I think it is better in several ways...
    The skin tones look much better to me (calibrated monitor).
    This one captures the performance nicely and the additional subject helps too - I like the sense of motion in the hands.
    Composition-wise I would probably like to see all of the drums (and hands), as you have in the first image - a couple of steps back with your 50mm prime.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • hstrynrdhstrynrd Registered Users Posts: 122 Major grins
    edited December 29, 2014
    Earache wrote: »
    So, yes, you did have additional shots and I think it is better in several ways...
    The skin tones look much better to me (calibrated monitor).
    This one captures the performance nicely and the additional subject helps too - I like the sense of motion in the hands.
    Composition-wise I would probably like to see all of the drums (and hands), as you have in the first image - a couple of steps back with your 50mm prime.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. I've got a lot to consider as I get more into this. Thanks again.
  • dragandjordjevicdragandjordjevic Registered Users Posts: 188 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2015
    #2 works better for me. I always prefer a captured moment, just like on the second one when he is playing.
    If he was in a mood for posing, I guess a portrait was a good choice? Approaching the subject is maybe 70% of the shot in this kind of photography. I have a problem with it myself.
    http://www.djordjevicphotography.com/
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  • lensmolelensmole Registered Users Posts: 1,548 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2015
    Yes the second one works better.

    Lensmole
    http://www.lensmolephotography.com/
  • hstrynrdhstrynrd Registered Users Posts: 122 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2015
    dragandjordjevic wrote: »
    #2 works better for me. I always prefer a captured moment, just like on the second one when he is playing.
    If he was in a mood for posing, I guess a portrait was a good choice? Approaching the subject is maybe 70% of the shot in this kind of photography. I have a problem with it myself.

    Thanks for the feedback. It's definitely a different experience than the wildlife photography that I normally am used to.
  • hstrynrdhstrynrd Registered Users Posts: 122 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2015
    lensmole wrote: »
    Yes the second one works better.

    Thanks for the feedback.
  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,967 moderator
    edited January 6, 2015
    I agree with the others that the second is better shot as it captures the action and has better expression. But it would have been improved if you had panned to the right or moved back a bit so as to capture the woman's hand. Or if you had chosen an angle in which he was the only player visible.
    My Pics
  • hstrynrdhstrynrd Registered Users Posts: 122 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2015
    Richard wrote: »
    I agree with the others that the second is better shot as it captures the action and has better expression. But it would have been improved if you had panned to the right or moved back a bit so as to capture the woman's hand. Or if you had chosen an angle in which he was the only player visible.

    Thanks for the critique. I'm definitely trying to learn how to capture things correctly and everything I'm attempting is somewhat self-taught. I definitely see what you mean about the other drummer's hand. Thanks again for the feedback.
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