Cheater faceby
edmengComment by CEJ: Hello from the Ciritque Club!
I have studied your image and have the following to offer:
Composition/perspective - the angle of the camera to the shot is good - down at eye level. Lends to the impression you are sitting on the other side of the table from him. Havign the small space on the right keeps it from becoming too weighted on that side. The DoF applied here works as well - keeps you focused on his face - the subject. I don't find the foreground distracting in the least. It may have been nice to see more of his eye (see below) but the expression was captured quite well. I like the fact that you canot actually see any of the card values. Again, it keeps the focus on his expression which gains strength through this aspect. I do find the reflection in the sunglasses a bit distracting. I find myself trying to determine what cards he does have. Perhaps if they were held at a slightly different angle this reflection could have been avoided. The crop works here as well - tight on the top - another element that adds strength to the expression.
Color - b/w, the conversion to b/w was handled nicely. All the small textural details from the shirt, hat, shin are all still present in the scene. The shades of gray blend and contrast nicely across the image.
Lighting - maybe a weak area. Overall the image is a bit dark. The eyes are almost obscured by shadow. Especially the left eye (right in image). All the light appears to be coming from the image left which leaves image right all in shadow. Maybe a slightly different angle of the subject or placement of the light source would have avoided this. The overall brightness even being a bit dark, is not overbearing in the scene. By this I mean that even though the shadows are a bit dark, nothing is totally obscured by shadow, just almost. Adds an element of frustration - you can almost see his eye, you can almost see the reflection in the glasses...
Challenge requirements - the way this is set up all the interpretation is weighted soley on his expression. This may have been another weak or weaker area. While in concept it meets the challenge requirements, in interpretation it isn't as strong. His expression is good and he has a strong look - but perhaps too strong. It appears more a look of determination or concentration as opposed to someone who is relying on cheating to win. A slight smirk or maybe one eyebrow raised...something to offset the determined look.
Overall/my opinion - nice, well defined subject and composed shot. A little short in the challenge requirements, but a strong image otherwise. The expression is strong (keep him in mind for future shots) but perhaps too strong for the intended idea.
EDIT: Typos
Message edited by author 2005-12-07 13:52:22. 
Photographer found comment helpful.
