The Crossing Guardby
ColeyComment by strangeghost: Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost
The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.
I recall looking at this one after the challenge concluded and am happy to have a chance to inspect it closely!
TECHNIQUE
Technique shows considerable effort. The focus is sharp and the motion blur on the background participants creates a striking contrast. Your exposure created a dilemma though, since capturing sufficient motion also required the sky be pretty overblown. I wonder if this is what prompted your decision for BW or if that was pre-planned. I'm assuming it was planned since that seems to enhance the mood.
COMPOSITION
As always for your shots, you've spent considerable effort and paid close attention to the composition. I think the blurred participants are maybe just a bit too blurred. A tad shorter exposure maybe would have left them fuzzy and impersonal, but a bit more recognizable as individuals, but retained the feel of anonymity. Your intent is evident, but I wonder if you considered moving in on your Reaper a bit and bringing him to the fore with the blurred pedestrians forming more of a background? Just playing let's pretend; your composition was well thought-out and the purpose is evident.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT
The busy street scene with moving people, speeding cars, and the rock-steady grim reaper form a scene of great interest, dynamic movement, and instant tension. You manage to provoke your viewers to question, and your title adds a bit of tension relief; Ah! Suggestive of the wait for the inevitable auto-person collision and then assisting the victim to the great beyond. It's an unusual shot that invites speculation and inspection.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Nice score and great comments. ;-) I'm surprised the DPC crowd didn't pound you for the blown sky, but at least a few let you know you were shoe-horning a shot into the supposedly "candid" street challenge. Keep shaking them up Coley. Nice job. I enjoyed the chance to study yet another of your creative efforts!
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