Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]WOW, IMHO it's a bit harsh. I know people see things differently, and this seems to be the case. I can only repeat myself - I was and am serious - I like the the spontaneity about the picture, and so the bright number seems essential to the composition. It doesn't offend me in the least that the bright patch stands out as it does. Nothing staged or awkward about the shot, but a slice of life; not a <decisive moment>, but a real photo, smth. more than <just a snapshot>; IMHO Leicas were made to capture pictures exactly like this one. I also wonder if the people in the picture would take any offense - and the way the shot is presented - I cant find both of them underexposed. Martin Okay - Time to be blunt.:-0 (As we all know, we post photos asking for honest comment and criticism)- (Sorry, Rob) This is not a "GOOD" photo. It is not, by any stretch of the imagination an HCB "decisive moment." And it certainly isn't an FOM photo - I, II, or C. It is an improperly exposed party snap. Period. As Ted pointed out, the light from the flash is dumped onto the foreground, blowing out the light colored items and leaving both the woman and the man underexposed. All the photo tells us is that the man isn't feeling well - one assumes he's drunk - or is very tired, and the woman is looking at a little flag, or is waving it. So what? We don't see anything in the photo indicating that it has anything to do with soccer, the World Cup, the Invasion of the Faulklands, or the election of Margaret Thatcher. Nothing, in other words, to give it any kind of context or meaning. If one knew these two people, this would be the kind of moderately amusing photo one might hand them as a 60 Minute 4x6, expecting them to titter in embarrassment as they tore it in half. B. D. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Mārtiņš Zelmenis Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 2:10 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: decisisve moment question on PAW ? OH. I wouldn't call it <a decisive moment>, too, but the picture IS GOOD! And largely it's the sign that makes it. Most certainly I like it as it is. Martin - -----Original Message----- From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Date: Monday, July 01, 2002 4:51 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: decisisve moment question on PAW ? 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 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html