Gallery Landscape...include people or not?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/21/2007 12:18:45 PM · #1

I wanted to ask people for their general opinion on whether including people in shots meant to be sold to the public is a good idea or not.

Take this shot as an example:

Ignore the difference in color tint, but notice Laine is included in one and not in the other. I feel the pros of having her in the shot include having a secondary subject, adding action to the shot, and providing scale. The cons include having no emotional connection (the person buying the picture doesn't know the person at all) and having to answer the question of who is in the picture when it's hanging on the wall.

Opinions on this shot specifically or on the topic in general?

AJSullivan

08/21/2007 12:28:02 PM · #2

I think since its a running child, its a little more acceptable then a full grown adult. But as long as the "buyer" doesnt have a problem saying "no thats not my child" everytime somone looks at the piece.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

08/21/2007 12:28:26 PM · #3

I think it's much better with Laine in it, and that's what matters. To me the shot lacks interest without her, and I don't know her.

In my opinion, the only thing that matters is aesthetics.

However, from a selling point of view, I'm told people can be very "picky". I was talking to a photographer at an art show the other day, and he said people will pick up a shot of a nice pier and the ocean, ready to buy it, until they find out it's not the specific pier they thought it was (it's one several miles down the beach). Then they don't buy it!

Still, I stand by my assertion that good aesthetics sells art.

giega

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

08/21/2007 12:43:02 PM · #4

It is more dynamic with the child. I wished that she was clear of the rock as a background.

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/21/2007 12:54:54 PM · #5

Great shot DrAchoo.

In regards to your question, I think both options are valid. If a landscape is really interesting, then it might not need a secondary subject. Alternatively, I like seeing people in landscapes sometimes because it brings emotion into play, as well as it acts as a good indicator of scale. Specifically regarding your photos shown, I prefer the one with Laine in it.

In regards to the composition, I would have liked to see the little girl in the open (ie: not with the large rock behind her, because she is hidden when you first look at the photo).

I always enjoy your work, keep it up.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

08/21/2007 12:56:50 PM · #6

Print both. I would not buy the one with the kid in it, obviously others would. Print both, make two sales (or at least double your odds of making one sale).

codfish

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

08/21/2007 01:01:27 PM · #7

I agree that the photo with Laine in it is more interesting. I think it helps that she is back on therefore not recognizable.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

08/21/2007 01:28:16 PM · #8

Thanks for the replies guys. I, too, thought the one with Laine was stronger compositionally. Thanks to the magic of PS I moved her, although I am always very worried about introducing artifact when I do such things.

Routerguy, a valid suggestion. I think I won't do it though for two reasons. 1) Many people are still pretty touchy about "monkeying" with pictures. If they see one with her and one without right beside, the one without suddenly seems illegit. 2) I find that it is not good to overwhelm people with options. I am already going to do a sepia and a B&W version and then to include Laine and also leave her out would give them four choices. Sometimes this causes people to be paralyzed with indecision.

Here's what I came up with after moving Laine. It would be hard to spot artifact at 720 pixels, but I think I got away with it. There were also a handful of smaller figures in the picture (which are very hard to see at 720 pixels). I, of course, removed them along with any beach towels, buckets, etc. That stuff, I can't abide. :)

Message edited by author 2007-08-21 13:30:36.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/21/2007 01:36:40 PM · #9

Much better with her moved from in front of the rock. I think you have a seller either way, but I prefer the one with Laine.

HighNooner

Canon EOS-60D

08/21/2007 01:50:01 PM · #10

Surly for the first while the one with people feels better, and it is actually better; however, the ultimate use of the photo should be the judge for that. If the expected lifespan for the use of the photo is short (promotion for tourists something of this sort), then it make a perfect sense to do it with people, this adds so much life to it; on the other hand a more timeless (document type thing or artistic); a landscape has to do on its own.

Nald

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/21/2007 02:38:48 PM · #11

Leave the kid in the shot, it's just the same old landscape without her in it.

JM2C.

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

08/21/2007 03:17:01 PM · #12

Not sure about exceptability but in terms of which foto I like better, it is the one without the kid. It draws my attention away from the landscape.

Nice one tho, either way.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/21/2007 03:26:41 PM · #13

It depends on the landscape shot. There are exceptions to rules and speaking of this shot specifically, I'd pick the one with Laine in it. The shot on the right doesn't keep my interest for long and doesn't have anything in it that makes me think it special, though it's a good looking shot. The shot with Laine, it says fun, happy and freedom. Those memories of being a kid and running on the beach, which I'm sure so many can relate to. Which leaves a feel good feeling. The re-edit you posted later on is perfect :)

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

... The cons include having no emotional connection (the person buying the picture doesn't know the person at all) ...

So which photo I think is better, the one with Laine. And, only until after I posted this comment did I remember the cute color portraits you entered of her. So you know I like the shot and it didn't bother me not knowing who it was. If you're going strictly landscape and don't want any distractions, it's up to you now ;) I dont think this is one of those landscape shots that have a better impact without people. You have more than a few of those that work well without the need for people in them.

Message edited by author 2007-08-21 15:33:50.

HighNooner

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

08/21/2007 03:43:52 PM · #14

I looked again now with a fresh eye. I think I like this one better

It is timeless.
But there are still people afar by the rocks.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

08/21/2007 05:02:10 PM · #15

Thanks again guys. Another thing I like with having Laine in there is the leading line of the headland leads right to her. That is a bit of serendipity that adds to the composition.

One thing with having her in, though, I can't do a color version because her swimsuit is hot pink and totally distracts from the rest of the image. :P

HighNooner

Canon EOS-60D

08/21/2007 05:13:44 PM · #16

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

May we see it in color please!

itch

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/21/2007 05:40:19 PM · #17

hi... nice shot. i prefer the image without personally, however the question of with or without is subjective so difficult to answer. A running child i feel represents the innocence and relative fun of childhood and can work well commercially. However purists may say that this is not landscape. I think that both images are marketable. Hope this helps i feel it might have just provided more confusion....

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/21/2007 05:46:13 PM · #18

Specific: Leave her in. Much more potent shot.

Generally: Depends on the shot...