-- Glenn Travis (leciaddict@hotmail.com), December 22, 2001

Answers

There are several points to note regarding this photograph, each (in my own opinion) rendering it bland and unsuccessful.

The tonality is "muddy" in that the areas where more contrast is needed are too gray or dark and areas where more shadow detail is needed are too dark. The unlevel horizontal framing doesn't really work because it's either not level, or too close to being level. For this effect to work better in many shots, this shift needs to be more extreme (see some of Jeff Spirer's photographs posted here). The black border is out of orientation which is distracting - it should either be removed or enhanced somewhat with Photoshop. The image needs to be spotted better, especially in dark, detailless areas. Not that it is always necessary to place your subject(s) away from the center of the frame, but in this case they're placed in the dead center which doesn't add any excitement to the photograph. We do have some photographable action here, that of two different people (by way of role) in dialog, but the feeling I'm left with is kind of a "ho hum... so what?" one.

I do offer my perspectives here in the highest regard for your efforts. Each of the negative points I made I have been guilty of many times in the past, including posting images that needed spotting, so I am really only passing on what I have learned from many others who post here. I think the best advice is to keep up your efforts. Thanks for posting.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), December 22, 2001.

Your subjects are unsharp. I suspect you took this shot from your hip as you're walking by? I try this a lot, too, and I'm rarely successful. The larger problem, probably for both of us, is the nerve required to boldly walk up to these two people, say something enlightening, and snap away.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), December 22, 2001.

see some of Jeff Spirer's photographs posted here

Thanks, Tony, but it's easier said than done right now (December 22), as the server crashed a few days ago and is only partially back online. So my web site is currently down, and may be for another day or two. I'm still trying to figure out how much email I lost.

I agree with Tony's comments, in particular the muddy tones make it lacking in life.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), December 22, 2001.