Re: [Leica] Re: decisisve moment question on PAW ?

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca>]

B. D. Colen wrote:
>>> Just wondering:
> What's decisive about the moment? What makes this an outstanding
photograph?<<

> robmellor showed his::
>PAW 26
> >
> > http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=850786
>
>Alastair Firkin @ work  responded:
> You caught this one at the decisive moment: looks a good FOM2 shot to
me.<<<

Hi B.D.
I wondered myself what was so decisive when I saw Alastair's comment. ( no
offence Alistair ) Sure there's a moment of what looks like a some what
sodden human and one smiling waving a flag,  accompanied by a very flashed
#15 table sign, which your eye must fight before you get to the people.

Yes there's the moment of the flag waving woman, but even she doesn't look
like she's really into it and the guy looks like he's close to out of it.
maybe a pint too many. ;-) But it's the sign that's an eye blocker and takes
the picture down.

What would I have done in this situation?

Probably been working available light if at all possible in B&W, at 3200 or
higher if there was any chance of decent exposures. And if it were necessary
to use flash I'd have bounced it and still worked at the higher film speeds
to squeeze every possible once of light from the flash bouncing back to the
tables. That would've softened the sign and highlights a little while
lifting the lighting level throughout..

Before posting as a PAW I'd have burned down the sign and attended
highlights to at least give the couple a stronger meaning.

Now for the guys who know how to Photoshop very very well..... (not me)  I'd
have removed the sign all together! ;-) I know, I know that's cheating....
;-) however that kind of manipulation is done every day around the world in
removing slightly annoying things like signs and other tid bits. :-)

So there you go eh. ;-)

ted
Ted Grant Photography Limited
www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant


- --
To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html