Critique Requested: How could I have done this better? - Nikon D100

[Raj_55555]

On the left we have Ram, the 22 year old mechanic with 9 years experience and 2 kids; and on the right is my semi-naked motorcycle he's fixing

Anyways, serious critique is requested. And does black and white even work on this one? I can provide RAW,Jpeg or coloured file on request if anyone feels it would help. Any critique will be most appreciated people, btw I couldn't have included his right foot in the picture with the angle that I wanted.. General comments are also welcome

 

[SnappingShark]

Personally I like it as it is. I wouldn't change a thing.
I like your watermark btw

Doing good work with that there camera!

 

[Raj_55555]

Thanks BBN, much appreciated! . I can't find any faults with this one too, and that's precisely the reason I've put it up for critique, hoping to learn and find faults that I'm not yet skilled enough to observe; helping my skill level to improve. That's the plan anyway

And yes, thanks to TPF I've kind of stopped using my SX50

 

[SnappingShark]

Out of interest; Could we see the color version also?

 

[tirediron]

I like the monochrome, but without seing the colour, it's hard to say. I do find the blacks a little too 'dense' in this version and I thin some detail is lost, but part of that may be this monitor. As for what you could have done better, well, that's hard to say. If you like the image, then nothing. However... (and I say this without knowing if it would have been possible), my thought is that I would have tried to get down a bit lower and mover further right so that I had the motorcycle as sort of a 'border' on the RH side of the image, and Ram was looking toward the camera, and shot from a perspective closer to his eye level; not necessarily level with his eyes, as the parts in his hand are an essential element of the image, but definitely not from such a high aspect which has placed him in a subservient position with respect to the viewer.

 

[Raj_55555]

Out of interest; Could we see the color version also?

Absolutely!

 

[Derrel]

Done better? Crouched down and moved 1.5 steps to the right. Or spun the camera to "tall" and moved 1 step to the left, and crouched down, and shot a tall. The big, empty space in the upper left is not helping, hence the two suggested ways of approaching this better. It would have been interesting to have seen the clean rag he has placed on the ground there, near where he's de-greasing the parts with solvent (probably gasoline, I am guessing! lol) THAT would make sense, visually: mechanic, dish full of solvent, and a cloth laid out to place the de-greased parts on while he worked on your moto's engine.

 

[Raj_55555]

...but definitely not from such a high aspect which has placed him in a subservient position with respect to the viewer.

I think I understand what you're trying to say.. Do you mean a similar angle with a little to the right, with him looking into the lens?

*I know the picture itself is horrible*

 

[tirediron]

...but definitely not from such a high aspect which has placed him in a subservient position with respect to the viewer.

I think I understand what you're trying to say.. Do you mean a similar angle with a little to the right, with him looking into the lens?

*I know the picture itself is horrible*

Yep, exactly like this, with the stool, car, and guy standing cropped away and him looking toward the camera (and a little bit of fill flash wouldn't hurt either).

 

[mmaria]

you already got some good opinions so I'll just say that I mostly agree with D and T

 

[sm4him]

I like the monochrome, but without seing the colour, it's hard to say. I do find the blacks a little too 'dense' in this version and I thin some detail is lost, but part of that may be this monitor. As for what you could have done better, well, that's hard to say. If you like the image, then nothing. However... (and I say this without knowing if it would have been possible), my thought is that I would have tried to get down a bit lower and mover further right so that I had the motorcycle as sort of a 'border' on the RH side of the image, and Ram was looking toward the camera, and shot from a perspective closer to his eye level; not necessarily level with his eyes, as the parts in his hand are an essential element of the image, but definitely not from such a high aspect which has placed him in a subservient position with respect to the viewer.

Done better? Crouched down and moved 1.5 steps to the right. Or spun the camera to "tall" and moved 1 step to the left, and crouched down, and shot a tall. The big, empty space in the upper left is not helping, hence the two suggested ways of approaching this better. It would have been interesting to have seen the clean rag he has placed on the ground there, near where he's de-greasing the parts with solvent (probably gasoline, I am guessing! lol) THAT would make sense, visually: mechanic, dish full of solvent, and a cloth laid out to place the de-greased parts on while he worked on your moto's engine.

+1 to everything John and Derrel already said.
Only things I'd add:
1. The chopped off foot really kinda bothers me here. I know it's a candid shot, but I'd really like for his other foot to be in the frame.
2. I think I actually prefer the color version of this.
3. You're doing some terrific work with that camera!
4. I know next to nothing about people photography, and somewhat less than that about CANDID people photography, so disregard everything I just said and just listen to Derrel and John.

 

[mmaria]

ok... now I'll say that I completely agree with Sharon

 

[Raj_55555]

Done better? Crouched down and moved 1.5 steps to the right. Or spun the camera to "tall" and moved 1 step to the left, and crouched down, and shot a tall. The big, empty space in the upper left is not helping, hence the two suggested ways of approaching this better. It would have been interesting to have seen the clean rag he has placed on the ground there, near where he's de-greasing the parts with solvent (probably gasoline, I am guessing! lol) THAT would make sense, visually: mechanic, dish full of solvent, and a cloth laid out to place the de-greased parts on while he worked on your moto's engine.

Sorry for the delayed reply, and thanks for the detailed suggestions.
I think understand what you are suggesting, also taking the pic in portrait orientation would have allowed me to include his feet even if I shot in this angle, I wonder why I didn't think of that.
The solvent is Kerosene, it's cheaper I think cause he took 25 cents equivalent for the entire solution, and 3 rupees for a cigarette
I did post another version with the clothes, John's suggestions had me thinking. I did try that angle in a few separate shots, but the background was too bright, and I went for the upward angle. I have never really used fill flash in my photographs, and it's time I learn a bit or two about it. Thanks guys, both of you

 

[Raj_55555]

+1 to everything John and Derrel already said.
Only things I'd add:
1. The chopped off foot really kinda bothers me here. I know it's a candid shot, but I'd really like for his other foot to be in the frame.
2. I think I actually prefer the color version of this.
3. You're doing some terrific work with that camera!
4. I know next to nothing about people photography, and somewhat less than that about CANDID people photography, so disregard everything I just said and just listen to Derrel and John.

Where were you all this time? You've been lacking in your duties towards TPF!! Good to see you back Sharon

1. It didn't bother me earlier, because I thought it wasn't technically possible. But now with these two suggestions, I'm wondering why I shot in Landscape to start with ..

2. hmm.. can you tell me why? It would help me understand why people prefer something over the other.

3. :mrgreen: Thank you, thank you!! :sillysmi:, if you love these, I think I got quite a few much better than this one stashed away in my secret flickr profile.. I'll be sharing them here eventually after all of them are edited, but I really love some of them. I'll PM you one exclusive link just for being Sharon

you already got some good opinions so I'll just say that I mostly agree with D and T

ok... now I'll say that I completely agree with Sharon

Thanks, that's a good way to avoid critiquing ****ty pictures!

 

[Designer]

I don't like his foot cropped, and there is too much empty space behind him. I think the downward angle is fine here, because it eliminates the background. Monochrome conversion is very good. Use portrait orientation when it appears as if your main subject is "more tall than wide". In this shot, the front of the motorcycle and whoever he is talking to is not important, but his foot is.