K-7 in New York City

[billrey]

Went to New York City last summer holidays with the K-7. What an awesome travel camera! Since then I've mostly switched to Canon for the video, but looking at these photos made me think of how much I loved the K-7. The Canon is just not as elegant and subtle to carry around all day.

I only brought the FA 35mm f2 which was nice and small. I never went above f5, but it performs admirably between 2-5 which is where I like to be.

NYC was way too hot in July though - I'll never do that again. You'll see our faces are really sticky-looking!

 

[Raist3d]

Like the shot with the umbrella and some of her portraits.

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Raist3d/Ricardo (Photographer, software dev.)- "You are taking life too seriously if it bugs you in some way that a guy quotes himself in the .sig quote" - Ricardo

 

[billrey]

Thanks! Any crits?

 

[zakaria]

Very nice series and great combo k7+da35
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my PPG
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/zakariamohie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimkoy/
k200+fuji S5 pro & some pentanikon prime lenses.

 

[Stephen Merola]

Excellent series. Thanks for posting.
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[Raist3d]

Thanks! Any crits?

I am known in some other forum for giving them if the post asks.

Shot #1- doesn't do much for me. Just a sign with stuff. Don't see any particular composition or something interesting. Also I "don't get it" but probably because I wasn't born and raised here in the USA.

Shot #2- I could see this perhaps working on a series but stand alone just comes across as just a bit goofy/not particularly interesting

Shot #3- I like the texture, colors, you captured. The composition seems to me off. I think there's a better way to frame that shot to show that texture/building/old etc. Not sure if the focal length is quite right for that shot either.

Shot #4- I like this shot. You got nice light all over, you got a cheerful expression and the jump in a way that it doesn't look like she's jumping. Her skin color is in beautiful light and it mixes well with the background of trees/leaves.

Shot #5- nothing in particular photographically interesting. Good color. The guys's eyes are sunken and dark so he looks a bit dead. That aside and on a personal note (take it as a compliment) the guy in the shot (is that you?) is kinda cute.

Shot #6- Love her expression, love the light, love the bokeh but the shot is out of focus (focus is not on her eyes)

Shot #7- doesn't do much for me. Nothing interesting going on, and she's dead center in the shot plus has the green door thing coming out of her head behind her.

Shot #8 - I like the colors, bokeh and her expression. I don't think this shot stands on its own though, maybe as part of a series (like "being at the park")

Shot #9 - No, not good. Sunlight hitting them, no composition, can't even tell what this is trying to capture. To me this is a snapshot.

Shot #10- while I understand using background and shadow, I think this shot has enough of what shot #9 has. Not good.

Shot #11 - great expression, good light, composition is off.

Hope that helps, and of course this is just my opinion.

--

Raist3d/Ricardo (Photographer, software dev.)- "You are taking life too seriously if it bugs you in some way that a guy quotes himself in the .sig quote" - Ricardo

 

[billrey]

Thankyou. I appreciate it. It can be really hard to see images you've taken with fresh eyes. Some very good crits in there.

 

[jope88]

You have some great shots and beautiful friends as well

This past July was one of NYC's hottest summers so don't let it influence you from not coming back!

The following critique is based on what I think would look good editing wise.

1

Not much to work with here but try upping contrast on the sign and lowering exposure on the overblown building. The sign is clearly the focal point here, try and bring it out.

2

The position of your friend in the frame could be easier on the eyes. Try and keep her in line with the "rule of thirds." This case would probably mean having her in the area of the bottom right of the frame. I think you've got the edits spot on, I like the somewhat diffused colors, again maybe update the contrast/clarity (what editing program do you use? clarity is in reference to Lightroom)

3

Nice color and exposure here, I would have loved to see more of the second level of the building. Try and add balance in the image, the white sky in the top right corner is distracting and should be balanced out with a higher exposure on the left side of the frame, try just adding a simple +exposure gradient coming from the bottom left corner of the frame.

4
Nothing to change here! My favorite shot of the set.

5
Nice color balance here. Nothing to change.

6

A shot worthy of the photographic portrait title. See what it looks like when you up the highlights in her hair and her face to counter her shirt collar.

7

My first impression is that the girl can be "brought out" more. Try upping the brightness level and adding a little contrast. Great job though with darkening certain parts of the frame.

8
Ah, I wish her eye was showing! Nothing to change.

9

A bit more vignetting would give the subjects more focus, also try cropping a bit from the left.

10

Nice shadows, a negative exposure gradient from the top of the frame would bring the women and shadows more in to focus

11
A great candid shot, throw a bit of vignetting in corners of the frame.

Overall, your shots have a very natural style to them, very easy on the eyes Great work.

JP

 

[philcozz]

NYC was way too hot in July though - I'll never do that again. You'll see our faces are really sticky-looking!

This, I really like.

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Photos: http://philcozz.deviantart.com/gallery/

 

[Pentax_Prime]

2, 4, 6, and 8 really caught my attention here - especially 6; great DOF work and processing on that portrait. Very pleasing to the eye and 'streetish' work here; well done.

-Andy

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My Website
http://www.andrewallenphoto.com

My Pentax Street Gallery - Arranged By Lens Used
http://photobucket.com/andy_allen

 

[billrey]

Thanks! Very constructive crits. Really helps.

 

[Richard DK]

You have captured summer in the big city very well. I can almost feel the heat and your shots of the young lady jumping with umbrella is a classic.
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**** K.

http://rkirkley.zenfolio.com

'The main difference between a professional photographer and an amateur is that the pro has a bigger waste basket'
John Shaw