The Balloon Man
by SteveJ

Comment by crabappl3:
This screams for you to be engaged with the person and have a tighter portrait shot with the balloons interacting with the photo. You may have reservations about approaching someone, but I feel he could be a great character study. The shot now is a little flat and disengaged.

The Balloon Man
by SteveJ

Comment by Coley:
I really like this image. Such a dichotomy. Happy colourful balloons and drab crotchity Balloon Man
Great capture

So! I Am Not Like All The Others!
by SteveJ

Comment by KarenNfld:
Very clear and nice colours.

The Balloon Man
by SteveJ

Comment by Balko:
Meets Challenge:3
Technical:2
Interestingness:2
Extra Credit:
TOTAL: 7

The Balloon Man
by SteveJ

Comment by Melethia:
Looks to be a bit windy, both from the balloons and the lady in the brown coat. He doesn't look all that excited about his job at the moment, either.

Cruising On The River
by SteveJ

Comment by JuliBoc:
I think this might have gotten a higher score if the composition was a bit more interesting. When the rule of thirds is used, the image often has a higher impact. Centered compositions are usually static, unless there is some sort of geometric reason for that sort of composition, such as emphasizing the symmetry of the image. I like the swan in the background; it's a nice extra bit of affluence.

The Gathering Of The Swans
by SteveJ

Comment by snaffles:
I do like this shot, it has a lot of potential. I'm going to download a copy and show you how I'd have cropped it, easier than trying to explain it!

OK here it is...

I cropped it, cloned out the leaf and other misc bits of debris in the water and the very tip of the other cygnet's beak, and what was visible of a swan in the very top left. Remember in advanced editing that cloning is allowed!

Then I did a +10 brightness and +16 contrast over whole pic to make the white swans pop a litle more.

Then I magic lasso'd the cygnet, +10 contrast on him, then with the lasso still on him, did 1 pass with usm to try and make him pop a little more.

Hope this helps! :-)

Message edited by author 2008-10-28 12:57:59.

The Balloon Man
by SteveJ

Comment by heavenly:
Good subject, but the point of view and composition let it down a bit.

The Gathering Of The Swans
by SteveJ

Comment by Anachronite:
would be better without the females mussing up the nice colored beaks of the others.

The Gathering Of The Swans
by SteveJ

Comment by Ja-9:
Where ever was this...