Sharp or blurred? Blurred or Sharp? HELP!!

[Tight Knot]

Hi all,

Here are 2 shots that I took recently of a spear fisherman heading into the waves.

2 Questions, 1 for everyone, and 1 for those who either submit or purchase photos to/from stock photo sites:

1. Which one do you prefer and why?

2. I have recently started submitting my photos for stock photos, and I think I would need a model release (unless it can be used as a journalistic shot) for the first one (as he is sharp and recognizable), but could easily get away with the second one. What do those who do sell stock photos think of the value of the second one?


1.




2.

 

[Braineack]

what do YOU want as the subject?


I personally prefer the fisherman as the subject.

 

[Tight Knot]

what do YOU want as the subject?


I personally prefer the fisherman as the subject.

Hi Braineack,

Thanks for your reply.

The truth is, my first shot was aimed at having the fisherman as the subject, and then I took an extra one with the buildings on the horizon sharp to try and blend them, but there is the problem of the water being blurred in the middle. I should have taken one more with the middle horizon in focus as well to stack them.
But once I see them like this, I like them both. Hence, my confusion. That's why I'm looking for unbiased opinions.

 

[Derrel]

Oh, clearly, people loooooove to look at PEOPLE! The second shot, with the man in crisp focus, then the water, and the city of Tel Aviv out of focus in the background is the better stock photo. It's an odd thing, but in many cultures, out of focus foreground subjects are NOT viewed positively. Here on TPF, OOF foreground objects are often actively "dinged" in C&C; the Japanese, on the other hand, looooooooove to use deliberately-placed out of focus foreground objects in MANY photos. It's widely done there--it is desired, accepted, enjoyed.

In this case, the OOF man is not, to me, recognizable as a "spear fisherman". If he had a more iconic profile, or a more old-fashioned, easily seen, easily-recognized spear gun, it'd be different. Now...if the client/buyer were say, a spear fishing magazine...then..well...you know.

I prefer the man's placement off-center in the first shot. In the second, his mirroring the tallest building looks ungainly, but at least I an SEE him clearly. The "gestalt" for spear fisherman is weak within my brain. Now...if the guy had say, a big long 11- to 13-foot surf fishing role and big spinning reel, the "gestalt" there would be very,very strong.

 

[Tight Knot]

Oh, clearly, people loooooove to look at PEOPLE! The second shot, with the man in crisp focus, then the water, and the city of Tel Aviv out of focus in the background is the better stock photo. It's an odd thing, but in many cultures, out of focus foreground subjects are NOT viewed positively. Here on TPF, OOF foreground objects are often actively "dinged" in C&C; the Japanese, on the other hand, looooooooove to use deliberately-placed out of focus foreground objects in MANY photos. It's widely done there--it is desired, accepted, enjoyed.

In this case, the OOF man is not, to me, recognizable as a "spear fisherman". If he had a more iconic profile, or a more old-fashioned, easily seen, easily-recognized spear gun, it'd be different. Now...if the client/buyer were say, a spear fishing magazine...then..well...you know.

I prefer the man's placement off-center in the first shot. In the second, his mirroring the tallest building looks ungainly, but at least I an SEE him clearly. The "gestalt" for spear fisherman is weak within my brain. Now...if the guy had say, a big long 11- to 13-foot surf fishing role and big spinning reel, the "gestalt" there would be very,very strong.

Hi Derrel,

The problem is, there was no way for me to get a signed model release from this gentleman. I saw him in the water, and didn't see him come out.
Sooooooo......... that creates an issue for a stock photo shot with the clear fisherman. Is the blurred fisherman one "decent" enough (ie. purchasable) in your opinion?

I have others of him with the speargun that looks more iconic and has more gestalt (nice word BTW), I'll post shortly.

 

[Derrel]

Tel Aviv looks beautiful seen from that location. I think it's saleable, but of course, the buyer needs a shot of that specific city...

 

[Designer]

If I were buying a picture of a fisherman, I would buy the one in focus. If I were buying a picture of the city, I wouldn't want a blurry figure in the shot.

For lack of a model release, you might have a problem selling the one where he is in focus.

 

[Tight Knot]

Photoshopped with the city in the background.



or a quick photoshopped one with the fisherman moved over.

 

[Tight Knot]

If I were buying a picture of a fisherman, I would buy the one in focus. If I were buying a picture of the city, I wouldn't want a blurry figure in the shot.

For lack of a model release, you might have a problem selling the one where he is in focus.

Hi Designer,

Thanks for the input. Somehow, I see the out of focus fisherman as leading towards the city. Yes? No?

 

[Tight Knot]

Tel Aviv looks beautiful seen from that location. I think it's saleable, but of course, the buyer needs a shot of that specific city...

Thanks Derrel, do you feel the out-of-focus fisherman brings something to the shot, or detracts from it?

 

[Designer]

Somehow, I see the out of focus fisherman as leading towards the city. Yes? No?

Not to me. He is looking away from the city, and toward the short side of the frame. Usually people will begin to wonder what he is looking at more so than caring what is in the background.

 

[Tight Knot]

Somehow, I see the out of focus fisherman as leading towards the city. Yes? No?

Not to me. He is looking away from the city, and toward the short side of the frame. Usually people will begin to wonder what he is looking at more so than caring what is in the background.

I hear. Thanks for the input.

 

[greybeard70 43]

The one with the fisherman in focus looks best to me.

 

[Tight Knot]

The one with the fisherman in focus looks best to me.

Thanks greybeard (I'm getting there myself lol. Grey beard that is.