Two new "street" shots

thoth · July 31, 2009

Hello folks. No story here -- just a couple pictures. They have some mechanical problems but C&C is certainly welcome. Enjoy!

1)

2)

Thanks for looking!

michswiss · July 31, 2009

The first shot isn't doing anything for me. It's almost as if everything in the frame made a conscious effort to be as uninteresting as possible.

There needs to be something that engages the viewer. It doesn't need to be something literal. An idea or concept could be the drawing card.

But, I'm really enjoying the second shot a lot. It has me wanting to create a story in my mind about the couple's many decades together and possibly how they met on a similar ride for the first time and fell in love. I think there are some technical issues with the image that others would be better able to comment on. Especially with the far right on the ride's central spindle.

Thanks for posting!

Miguel Delinquento · July 31, 2009

Hi Travis,
I hope by what you mean by "no story" refers to your words accompanying the post and not the pictures themselves.

I think the second picture is superior to the first. That's a sweet scene and the woman's expression is wonderful. I wish you had just another few degrees around on the capture so we could see more of their faces. Did you consider a more vertical crop? though I could see that frame losing the context of a carnival ride.

The first one has some interesting elements, like the heads on the table. The weakness is that we are seeing the back of a guy and that's just isn't engaging enough to me to carry a shot. I see he is interested in something, but that merely serves to frustrate me because I cannot see his expressions.

I find that more effective street shots capture people's expressions, emotions, and body language. Faces often are the key to the former two attributes. I also have seen a lot of aspiring street shooters, especially younger people, feel inhibited about capturing subjects more directly. It's safer to shoot from the side with a telephoto or from the rear. So, I'd recommend you practice direct shots. As you have a good eye, your rewards will come quickly.

M

dlplumer · July 31, 2009

I love the second story

thoth · July 31, 2009

michswiss wrote:

The first shot isn't doing anything for me. It's almost as if everything in the frame made a conscious effort to be as uninteresting as possible. There needs to be something that engages the viewer. It doesn't need to be something literal. An idea or concept could be the drawing card.

But, I'm really enjoying the second shot a lot. It has me wanting to create a story in my mind about the couple's many decades together and possibly how they met on a similar ride for the first time and fell in love. I think there are some technical issues with the image that others would be better able to comment on. Especially with the far right on the ride's central spindle.

Thanks for posting!

Miguel Delinquento wrote:

Hi Travis,
I hope by what you mean by "no story" refers to your words accompanying the post and not the pictures themselves.

I think the second picture is superior to the first. That's a sweet scene and the woman's expression is wonderful. I wish you had just another few degrees around on the capture so we could see more of their faces. Did you consider a more vertical crop? though I could see that frame losing the context of a carnival ride.

The first one has some interesting elements, like the heads on the table. The weakness is that we are seeing the back of a guy and that's just isn't engaging enough to me to carry a shot. I see he is interested in something, but that merely serves to frustrate me because I cannot see his expressions.

I find that more effective street shots capture people's expressions, emotions, and body language. Faces often are the key to the former two attributes. I also have seen a lot of aspiring street shooters, especially younger people, feel inhibited about capturing subjects more directly. It's safer to shoot from the side with a telephoto or from the rear. So, I'd recommend you practice direct shots. As you have a good eye, your rewards will come quickly.

M

Thanks, both of you, for the comments. Since you had similar replies I'll just respond to both at once.

I was uncertain if I should post the first shot as I think what I saw in the image was entirely too subtle to translate well. I wonder if this version holds more interest?

The second shot was a tough exercise in framing for me! I stood in front of that damned ride for 30 minutes trying to time the cars and get some decent shots. I got some that were better timed but none, I think, that told a story as well as this one. I tried various crops but this one, I thought, told the best story.

And yes, Miguel, I meant I wasn't going to write a story for them.

Thanks again for the comments!

thoth · July 31, 2009

dlplumer wrote:

I love the second story

Thanks Dan!

lilmomma · July 31, 2009

I really

#2!!! So sweet but kinda funny!

thoth · July 31, 2009

lilmomma wrote:

I really #2!!! So sweet but kinda funny!

Thank you Melissa!

bdcolen · July 31, 2009

michswiss wrote:

The first shot isn't doing anything for me. It's almost as if everything in the frame made a conscious effort to be as uninteresting as possible. There needs to be something that engages the viewer. It doesn't need to be something literal. An idea or concept could be the drawing card.

But, I'm really enjoying the second shot a lot. It has me wanting to create a story in my mind about the couple's many decades together and possibly how they met on a similar ride for the first time and fell in love. I think there are some technical issues with the image that others would be better able to comment on. Especially with the far right on the ride's central spindle.

Thanks for posting!

Agree, agree - Love the second one Travis -what great characters...I hope you got them a couple times as they whipped around...

thoth · July 31, 2009

bdcolen wrote:

Agree, agree - Love the second one Travis -what great characters...I hope you got them a couple times as they whipped around...

Thanks for the comment B.D. Unfortunately, I got to the ride just as it was ending so I only got two of this couple. I'm hoping they're coming back to the fair tonight and I catch them again. The other shot was quick and the couple was out of focus so this was the only winner. Wish me luck!

adbsgicom · July 31, 2009

The second one is fantastic. She exudes some enthusiasm, and he seems very stoic about it all.

thoth · August 1, 2009

adbsgicom wrote:

The second one is fantastic. She exudes some enthusiasm, and he seems very stoic about it all.

Thanks for the kind words!

Alas, I did not see them at the fair this evening so all we get is this lonely shot. That's ok, though, as it's far better than no shot at all!

Ed911 · August 1, 2009

Number two is a rare shot indeed. What stories this one tells. Great capture. If it wound up in great shots for 2009, I wouldn't be surprised.

Thanks for sharing.

thoth · August 1, 2009

Ed911 wrote:

Number two is a rare shot indeed. What stories this one tells. Great capture. If it wound up in great shots for 2009, I wouldn't be surprised.

Thanks for sharing.

Wow, what a great compliment. Thank you!

Two new "street" shots

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