Worthy of artistic merit?

Notwithstanding the nuances of exposure, focus, bokeh, etc., I took this picture years ago with my XTi and I keep coming back to it...over and over again. Would appreciate your comments if you think it's noteworthy?


Thanks...

The first thing that grabs me is a "what a shame" feeling. What a shame you didn't nail it straight. The image relies on the lines, yet the wall in the background is so very NOT straight that it ruins the otherwise nice image. Also, its under exposure is very pronounced, seemingly without reason.




Would be a very nice image if it had been straight.

brightcolours said:

brightcolours wrote:

The first thing that grabs me is a "what a shame" feeling. What a shame you didn't nail it straight. The image relies on the lines, yet the wall in the background is so very NOT straight that it ruins the otherwise nice image. Also, its under exposure is very pronounced, seemingly without reason.

Would be a very nice image if it had been straight.

Click to expand...

I agree with brightcolours it needs straightening. I also think the guy at the top right is too much of a distraction if you just crop him out you should leave the two lines converging at the edge of the image. Also maybe get rid of the shaded area at the bottom right (under the signature, once you crop out the guy at the top there will only be a small triangle to clone out). Then a little tweak to the contrast curve and maybe bump up the saturation a little and you should have an arresting image.

Ian

I can see why you like it, bold diagonals, stark colours, mirrored expressions... lots to like.


I don't mind that the top of the wall isn't horizontal (that fits with a POV to the right of straight-on), but I'd see how it looks with the vertical lines vertical (maybe that what the other guys mean).

The thing that gets me is the impression that it was taken half a second too late, so that the lady is in the dead centre of the frame and the man is crowded into the corner. I imagine it would grab me a lot more if they were both lower down the escalator(?), avoiding the bullseye composition look (centre AF point on the lady's face).

The watermark keeps taking my eye away from what I should be looking at. I think I'd leave the dark area in the corner, but it's hard to tell with the watermark being so dominant.

Thanks for sharing.

As I said in the crosspost. I'll blame brain damage.

As others have said:

• Watermark is distracting (especially its background)
• The angled horizontals do not work for me. Sure it's correct perspective but to me this image wants its horizontals to be horizontal.
• The placement of the people is two seconds too late.

Feels like it has real potential but just missed the bullseye.

Thanks for the more than generous feedback. I agree with all about the "too late shot", under exposure, horizontal and vertical line conundrum but, most of all, the notion that the image has potential, is really satisfying. Its this type of meaningful feedback that will help me become a better photograper - again, thank you...

WilbaW, your adjective use and detailed feedback caused me to pause and reflect on my composition technique and what to consider for future shots. Much appreciate your comments...