photos with people & no faces interesting or not interesting?

[Shadowbox]

When does the back of people make an interesting candid shot?

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Depends. It rarely tells a compelling story, but it can. It's another "difficult to give a specific scenario" question.


Does this do anything for you? Why, or why not?

 

[Trever1t]

wow, I really like that!

 

[Shadowbox]

It is quite interesting. I wonder what they're looking at/doing, so I think it's compelling in that way. It doesn't tell a story as much as make you wonder what the story is. Then the contrasting shapes and contrasting hard lines with the curved one is visually stimulating so yeah I like it for that reason.

I was trying to take pics of my nieces spinning on swings and kept only getting shots of their backs.

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

wow, I really like that!

Bitter Rocks.

The use of the stone tiles' pattern is what makes that photo in my opinion... not the people.

 

[Virtuosos]

having the back of someone looking over a ridge/into a sunset...those generally work well.

 

[Shadowbox]

This is the photo I've been trying to work with. I felt like it had potential but I'm not sure. The girls were twisting up the swings then spinning and I kept getting the back of her, and with a slow shutter speed I was happy that this didn't have so much blur. Its just candid shots for their grandma but still, my artistic and creative side wants to make more than just a snapshot and I was very involved with the camera settings but kept missing the mark as far as getting a forward facing photo. So any advice on this? Thanks.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/37685682@N06/6087713793/ETA: picture removed for privacy reasons. Thanks

 

[Sw1tchFX]

oh absolutely, think of the details of a tux the groom is wearing in a wedding.

 

[Destin]

It's all about timing. You have to anticipate your cameras shutter delay, and snap the photo slightly before the swing is facing you.

Its no different than Shooting baseball and trying to capture the ball as the batter hits it. Just have to know your camera well and time it right.

Or, if your camera can pull 5 or more frames per second just motor drive and you'll get it. Lol.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

This is the photo I've been trying to work with. I felt like it had potential but I'm not sure. The girls were twisting up the swings then spinning and I kept getting the back of her, and with a slow shutter speed I was happy that this didn't have so much blur. Its just candid shots for their grandma but still, my artistic and creative side wants to make more than just a snapshot and I was very involved with the camera settings but kept missing the mark as far as getting a forward facing photo. So any advice on this? Thanks.


MeadowSwing6 (1 of 1) by lifebyme, on Flickr

I don't think it works. I don't think that it is clear enough as to what is going on at first glance. Not enough to warrant having your subject's back turned to the camera. I saw a shot in a magazine or book or somewhere recently that had a little boy sitting next to what appeared to be a middle aged woman on a dock looking out at a pond. Nothing overly unique going on, but it immediately conveyed a sense of emotion. You not only had the serene pond which struck the viewer, but you also had this clear sort of personal moment between what I would assume is a Mother and son.

The only way I could see this pic working, is if you atleast got the side of the face alittle to show some sort of emotion ( ie. the joy of playing on the swing ). If she was turned just a little more, you would also get more of a cross view of the swing she is sitting on which would make it much more identifiable. Then if you show a slight bit of motion to indicate that she was twisting the swing, it would have been perfect. You definately don't want the girl facing straight on the camera. You want that sense of spinning and excitement, as if the camera is a fly buzzing around. Personally, I don't think this shot has potential, however, the setup and overall theme has tons of potential. Stop wasting time on this shot and try to set up another time to shoot it again. This is all just my opinion though.

As for Bitter's shot, it works because of the lines and shape of the shot. Its not about the people. The people are just there to lend reference to what you are looking at. The angle does help create a sort of different perspective than your typical shot as well, but if you didn't have the interesting aspects in the scene, then the angle just makes the photographer look overly pretentious. I am also a big fan of the "Silver" style B&W.

 

[Shadowbox]

This is the photo I've been trying to work with. I felt like it had potential but I'm not sure. The girls were twisting up the swings then spinning and I kept getting the back of her, and with a slow shutter speed I was happy that this didn't have so much blur. Its just candid shots for their grandma but still, my artistic and creative side wants to make more than just a snapshot and I was very involved with the camera settings but kept missing the mark as far as getting a forward facing photo. So any advice on this? Thanks.

I don't think it works. I don't think that it is clear enough as to what is going on at first glance. Not enough to warrant having your subject's back turned to the camera. I saw a shot in a magazine or book or somewhere recently that had a little boy sitting next to what appeared to be a middle aged woman on a dock looking out at a pond. Nothing overly unique going on, but it immediately conveyed a sense of emotion. You not only had the serene pond which struck the viewer, but you also had this clear sort of personal moment between what I would assume is a Mother and son.

The only way I could see this pic working, is if you atleast got the side of the face alittle to show some sort of emotion ( ie. the joy of playing on the swing ). If she was turned just a little more, you would also get more of a cross view of the swing she is sitting on which would make it much more identifiable. Then if you show a slight bit of motion to indicate that she was twisting the swing, it would have been perfect. You definately don't want the girl facing straight on the camera. You want that sense of spinning and excitement, as if the camera is a fly buzzing around. Personally, I don't think this shot has potential, however, the setup and overall theme has tons of potential. Stop wasting time on this shot and try to set up another time to shoot it again. This is all just my opinion though.

As for Bitter's shot, it works because of the lines and shape of the shot. Its not about the people. The people are just there to lend reference to what you are looking at. The angle does help create a sort of different perspective than your typical shot as well, but if you didn't have the interesting aspects in the scene, then the angle just makes the photographer look overly pretentious. I am also a big fan of the "Silver" style B&W.

Okay thank you for your opinion. Back to the drawing board I have tons more, I did take over 500 lol. I just think I was drawn to it because of her hair, which her grandma loves, but I think even they wouldn't care for a picture of the back of her. I can see how seeing the back of people needs to be part of a bigger 'picture' so to say, a scene where there is emotion, a story, or something visually stimulating conveyed and not just a plain ole back. Thanks!

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

I just think I was drawn to it because of her hair, which her grandma loves,

Then by all means, give this shot to grandma, she will love it. However, not all viewers will share her viewpoint. I have a rule of thumb of NEVER thinking what someones family memeber or loved one will think of a shot. (Unless of course you are shooting specifically for those people ).

I can see how seeing the back of people needs to be part of a bigger 'picture' so to say, a scene where there is emotion, a story, or something visually stimulating conveyed and not just a plain ole back.

EXACTLY!

 

[Ron Evers]

Shot this one yesterday with A Vivitar 20/3.5. I think it works other than for the flair. Hood on order.

 

[Virtuosos]

The photo you posted might worked better if there was a better background (some sky maybe)...Maybe its just me but i don't like looking down at her from your height and seeing just grass. But then again I am no pro and I only have opinions (and everyone has one!)

 

[Shadowbox]

I need to delete the photo now, her mom does not want her kids on the web at all so it was my plan to share it and get some feedback then remove it. Thanks to GooniesNeverSayDie11 for deleting it ..

Ron, I do like your photo. It fits in with the theme of having a story or more to look at than just the back of a person.