Re. [Leica] PAW 2002 (Eric's)

[Carl Pultz <cpultz@earthlink.net>]

Re. http://www.leica-gallery.net/et/folder-3725.html

Eric,

I had not seen your gallery before, and almost passed by as the thumbnail 
pictures didn't look interesting at first. But a few nice designs made me 
look closer, and I enjoyed many of the photos very much. In some, I feel as 
well as see your world, because I am drawn into the picture by the subtle 
way your subject matter is presented.

A few comments which might be helpful to you: Week 30 is not an interesting 
subject, but an impressive example of either quick reflexes or much 
patience - each a important skill.

Week 51 is great. I can't say more. If the negative contains a sliver of 
image beyond the end of the gun barrel it would be nice. If not, forget it 
- - it doesn't matter a bit.

Week 37 is fascinating. The tilt catches the eye and creates tension in the 
whole image. There are stories being told in each layer: the boys, the 
wedding, and the bustle of the city all around - maybe even a social 
comment regarding the boys vs. the well dressed wedding party?

One thing which would help that photo very much, and the other pictures 
also, is a lower image contrast. On my monitor, which is well calibrated 
for b&w, the bride fades into the rest of the tones, so that I didn't see 
her at first. The plain of the ground is too light to be solid. The 
buildings in the background are too bright to see. On the dark extreme, the 
people in weeks 46 and 47 are also hard to "read." A lower contrast allows 
the midtones greater expression. As is, they are pulled down toward the 
shadows or up with the highlights.

Two good examples of what I mean would be HCB or Elliot Erwitt, both of 
whom instruct their printers to go soft and pay attention to the 
middle-grays. That makes for less dramatic photos as prints, but they know 
it's the contents of the pictures that create the real drama, not how bold 
the blacks are. (Softer contrast also makes the images easier to reproduce.)

It might be your exposure or development is at fault (pushed film speed?), 
or the way you adjust the photos in software, but refining that part of 
your photography would help so much to show the interesting things you see 
and have begun capture so well.

Good luck in the new year, and please keep us aware of what you are shooting.

Sincerely,

Carl

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