What's wrong with this picture?

[moshepupkin]

This photo set came out not as good as I wanted it, and I am not sure I fully understand what went wrong. The whether was a bit foggy, maybe this is one. I also somehow managed to shoot in f8.0 instead of f2.8 which was my intention (don't ask me how... ). Other than that - what's wrong here?

 

[jaomul]

Not sure but it has its redeeming points as well

 

[Tee]

Your background is unappealing. Creating a shallower depth of field may take the viewers eye off the background.

 

[moshepupkin]

Your background is unappealing. Creating a shallower depth of field may take the viewers eye off the background.

This was my intention, but somehow I managed to move it to f8.0 instead of f2.8... did not pay attention to this setting....

 

[moshepupkin]

Not sure but it has its redeeming points as well

Thanks. Yeah... it's nice...but I somehow was hoping to do something better...

 

[jaomul]

Not sure but it has its redeeming points as well

Thanks. Yeah... it's nice...but I somehow was hoping to do something better...

I am only looking on a Phone so this may or may not be fully accurate. The dof you are aware of. Maybe Using the road as a lead in would work better than the road leading away from the subject. I would not cut off the fishing rod. A slight exposure increase with a little vibrancy may make it pop a bit more, as maybe would a little contrast with slightly warmer white balance

 

[sashbar]

Nobody goes fishing on high heels. There is only one step from sexy to comical, and this image sends a mixed signal. That's the main problem I see. All the rest is technical - flat image, random colour scheme and pedestrial composition.

 

[fokker]

Nobody goes fishing on high heels. There is only one step from sexy to comical, and this image sends a mixed signal.

I disagree with this statement, obviously not the part about nobody goes fishing in high heels, but I'm guessing the point of the shot is to create a juxtaposition of this type. Loads of fashion photography centers around ideas like this - creating something you wouldn't ordinarily see.

 

[Braineack]

Your background is unappealing. Creating a shallower depth of field may take the viewers eye off the background.

That might have helped a little, but it goes a lot further:

• The lighting is poor. It's an overcast day with bland boring light.
• There's a strong line, due to the composition, that leads your eye straight to a dead tree on the left and away from the girl.
• The orientation is wrong. The obvious focus should be on the girl, yet the photographer chose to keep her in only about 1/5th of the frame and putting a bit a emphasis on the surroundings which doesn't offer much.
• It was shot at a bad angle. Not the woman, but the scene. We are above her, looking down on a landscape with a horizon that's cutting her in the middle.
• It was shot at a wide angle. There's no background compression to at least make something out of nothing, right now she's posed just off the side of a distracting bush. Even at f/2.8 it would be distracting.

 

[MDWine]

... and please clone out that distracting "pee stream" in the middle of the road.
I think you're onto something, you just need to flesh out the details. I can see this going in a "boudoir meets fishing" kind of thing... could be interesting IMHO.

 

[tirediron]

...I think you're onto something, you just need to flesh out the details. I can see this going in a "boudoir meets fishing" kind of thing... could be interesting IMHO.

Agree! I think the a big part of the "problem" with the image is the location. There's nothing that suggests WHY she's carrying a fishing pole (which you've cropped the top off of BTW). I think we need to see her walking along a pier with other fishermen, or beside a stream, something that 'situates' the viewer.

 

[wyogirl]

For me its the high heels mostly... flip flops, yeah, stilettos?? no. Also the background; it would be better on a dock or closer to the lake.
AND... I would like to see some of her face in profile.