Espresso Abundance
by neophyte

Comment by lagans:
kinda like it, feels like a room of insects

Bon Voyage!
by neophyte

Comment by mandyturner:
*Critique Club*

This photo really didn't do much for me. There is nothing that makes me want to give it a second look. It is not a "bad" photo, I just think that you could have spiced it up a little to make it more appealing. It would have been better if He was actually driving the motocycle instead of being parked. He is just sitting there and it looks very posed and staged.

It would have been better if he was driving fast and you captured the motion blurs on the background but the bike and the rider was in focus. It would also have been funny if his mouth was wide open like he was screaming or if he had a hudge smile on his face, or even if you could have shown where the wind was blowing his skin on his face back. I don't know if any of those ideas would have been better but it never hurts to let you imagination flow for a while first and then try to capture that on camera. When you come up with an idea for a challenge, don't shoot it right away. Think about it for a while and elaborate that idea into something bigger.

I don't think that the selective desat worked with this photo. When you use that technique, it should be so the viewer focuses on what you want them to notice. You kept the yellow line? This is not a point of interest. You kept the color in the bike? - It is already black. The only color that really stands out is the riders skin.

I hope this was helpful, if not, I am sorry. I do my best.

Mandy

Espresso Abundance
by neophyte

Comment by samchad:
too much flash for my liking

Espresso Abundance
by neophyte

Comment by tpoc:
there appears to be a great deal of light reflecting off of the beans, which serves to wash out those lovely browns in the picture.

Looking in for Parts
by neophyte

Comment by livitup:
Saw this in one of the forums...
I like this photo on an expressive level. It documents something that most people don't see. The conversion to B&W was a good choice, because it adds to the 'grit' of the scene.

There's something slightly off about the composition, though I can't say I know right off the bat how to fix it. I'd have to play around with the original. My best idea just looking it is to do a tighter crop so that only the three guys with their backs to the camera are in the shot. I think there's a conflict for focal point, between the guys in the foreground and the guys looking into the front of the tent.

There's something to be done with the bike parts on the ground too, but I just can't put my finger on what it is. Were these guys willing participants? I've found that if I'm working with a subject that allows me to take pictures from several different angles, the one that works best is usually not the one I tried first.

Overall I'm not suprised that it didn't get a ribbon, but I am suprised it didn't place higher than it did.

Bon Voyage!
by neophyte

Comment by lynnesite:
I loved this and gave it an 8, a perfect greeting card for either Bon Voyage, Retirement or "Escape with me" (your own theme). Very surprised it didn't do better.

Bon Voyage!
by neophyte

Comment by Pedxer:
Don't see to many of these nowadays.

Tea By Telephone
by neophyte

Comment by Commando303:
If not for the B&W (which I understand is, indeed, part of this photo), I'd say this is just an OK shot.

Tea By Telephone
by neophyte

Comment by stam:
This photo looks really good in black and white. Maybe next time try not to make the lady look so posed.

Bon Voyage!
by neophyte

Comment by LeeD:
Great shot! I love the motorcycle and expression of the model. Nice clear image and very appropriate title.