What do you think of people blur?

[tpuma]

I took this while commuting home last night. When people commute in NYC they tend to move quickly. I got onto the Staten Island ferry and went up to the second level to shoot down at my fellow commuters as they entered the boat. This was shot with a slightly long exposure in dim light with people hustling below and this was the result. When I looked at it on the screen on the camera I didn't think anything of it but when I opened it in photoshop it kind of appealed to me. After a long day of work and you're commuting home everything is kind of a blur and you just hustle to get where you gotta go. So for me this pic has meaning. But I'm curious to see what other people think of it. Is this the kind of photo that someone can relate to or is it just nonsense?

RAT RACE by Tom Puma, on Flickr

 

[alexis.alvarez]

I like it. It's got great flow and tones.

 

[jcdeboever]

I think it's a matter of taste. When I look at it, I think it is neat but I also think it would have more street impact with the people sharp and in focus. There is a lot of nice color and tone in there that seems to be wasted. Just my opinion since you asked.

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

Looking at it with your explanation of the scene, I think the blur adds to the intent of the photo.

 

[Designer]

But I'm curious to se what other people think of it. Is this the kind of photo that someone can relate to or is it just nonsense?

As it is now, just consider the abstract elements to judge it. Texture, balance, color, all seem to be pretty good.

 

[tpuma]

Thank you everyone I appreciate all your opinions. It's really the only way to grow and become better at this.

 

[Gary A.]

To me it lacks a message beyond a mass of people moving ... that message is okay, just a more general message which does not address the particulars of where, who, why, when and what. Without an explanation or without other images supporting the blurred shot, this would leave a lot of unanswered questions. I think boarding a ferry is novel for most of us, some content showing 'ferry' would have helped me fill in the blanks. As a simple 'mass of people moving' it works.

 

[Derrel]

To me it lacks a message beyond a mass of people moving ... that message is okay, just a more general message which does not address the particulars of where, who, why, when and what. Without an explanation or without other images supporting the blurred shot, this would leave a lot of unanswered questions. I think boarding a ferry is novel for most of us, some content showing 'ferry' would have helped me fill in the blanks. As a simple 'mass of people moving' it works.

Well-said!!!

 

[tpuma]

To me it lacks a message beyond a mass of people moving ... that message is okay, just a more general message which does not address the particulars of where, who, why, when and what. Without an explanation or without other images supporting the blurred shot, this would leave a lot of unanswered questions. I think boarding a ferry is novel for most of us, some content showing 'ferry' would have helped me fill in the blanks. As a simple 'mass of people moving' it works.

Thank you for the insight. Some point of reference would elevate this shot for sure.

 

[Advanced Photo]

I don't mind a small amount of blur with a purpose especially if the subjects are all moving in the same direction or mostly in the same direction. You get the feeling of a flow of water for example. I don't get much of a feeling of anything here except people jostling in their seats.

 

[john.margetts]

To many photographers worry about blur and want their photos to be "pin sharp" (particularly in the corners for some reason). I like blur - motion blur, camera shake, fog, soft lenses - not when it is down to incompetence but when it is a part of artistic expression.

 

[Granddad]

My first thought was that the blur effect makes them look as though they're moving backwards... which is odd but interesting.
My second thought was that if you could capture the same scene using rear curtain flash to freeze them clearly but keep the blur it would be really cool. That would probably need to be done after dark... I have NO idea if it would work, the idea just grabbed me. LOL!

 

[smoke665]

Interesting, though I admit the first thing I did was adjust my glasses!! I've never done it but I've seen some examples of what Granddad said above, and I think it might work well here. It would still convey the sense of movement, but give the eye something to rest on.

 

[vintagesnaps]

A little too much going on visually I think, but I wonder if the shutter speed was even slower if more blur would have made it better. Either fewer people to make it more about the movement maybe, or many more so it looks like more of a 'mass' might have been better. Needs something... not sure what, but interesting.

Even if you're going to blur it, think about the framing. Realized the bottom edge has people chopped off and makes it rather visually messy, get them in the frame or out not halfway in, or think about where the picture is going to 'end', where's the edge going to be?

 

[tpuma]

A little too much going on visually I think, but I wonder if the shutter speed was even slower if more blur would have made it better. Either fewer people to make it more about the movement maybe, or many more so it looks like more of a 'mass' might have been better. Needs something... not sure what, but interesting.

Even if you're going to blur it, think about the framing. Realized the bottom edge has people chopped off and makes it rather visually messy, get them in the frame or out not halfway in, or think about where the picture is going to 'end', where's the edge going to be?

Good points about the framing.