Coffee shop candid - DPChallenge Forums

12/09/2004 05:39:05 AM · #1

Not an amazing shot by any strech but I like the mood.
What do you guys think?

//img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/_Armadildo_/CoffeeShop.jpg

{Edit: Changed the name of the pic}

Message edited by author 2004-12-09 14:29:35.

basia03

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

12/09/2004 08:23:35 AM · #2

if you like this one, you might like these as well: "//www.photosight.ru/ownpage.php?authorid=84"

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

12/09/2004 09:12:11 AM · #3

Thanks for the link.
I love high contrast black and white :)

I also like grainy black and white and after posting a few pics in the same style as the one above, I've come to the conclusion that people here don't like it that much because it rarely gets any comments.

I guess if I really wanted comments I'd have to take vibrant and sharp pictures of landscapes, birds, cute cats and dogs, flowers or babies.
These subjects seem to attract a lot more attention for some reason.

Maybe DPC is not for me? Any thoughts on that?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

12/09/2004 09:14:40 AM · #4

I like it quite a bit :)

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

12/09/2004 11:43:10 AM · #5

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I like it quite a bit :)

Thanks :)

Jinjit

12/09/2004 12:12:58 PM · #6

Personally I don't like it too much.
I agree that the mood is great and I like the color contrast, but I don't like the grain and something in the whole composition bothers me.
I think that it could be much better without the picture hung on the wall behind the guy's head. It gives the head a funny shape and it reduces the dramatical contrast between the white wall and the black hair.

Another thing that bothers me is the lack of a focal point.
At first, I thought it was the cigarette, but the hand and the cigarette are very soft focused. So I moved my stare to the guy's eyes - but they are also un-seen. So I am left with the funny pick of the hair...

But this is just MHO and what do I understand...

Edit: personally, I like people's pictures over landscape and others, since I'm pretty lousy at portraits myself... :-(

Message edited by author 2004-12-09 12:24:14.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

12/09/2004 12:49:58 PM · #7

The person is the focal point. There isn't a more specific focal point than that.

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/09/2004 12:51:17 PM · #8

I like it- I can't say I like the film grain too much though.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Canon

12/09/2004 01:21:01 PM · #9

After looking at it a little more, I too think I might have gone overboard with the grain.
I'll make another version with less grain.
I'll also try to clone out the ugly frame in the back because it does indeed looks kind of weird...

Thanks again for the comments. :)

wkmen

Olympus SP-570 UZ

12/09/2004 01:23:34 PM · #10

typed at the same time as Armadildo

I second part of Jinjit's critique - the juxtaposition of the picture behind the head of the subject detracts from the photo. If his haircut comes to a point like that, it should be clear to us; I don't think we should have to wonder if that's true or if the background just makes it appear so.

On the other hand, I think the subject's posture, facial expression, and photo grain are strong elements.

Message edited by author 2004-12-09 13:25:10.

garlic

Canon EOS-10D

12/09/2004 01:25:03 PM · #11

It has character and mood. ThatÂ´s a good thing and I like it.

riotspyne

Nikon D80

12/09/2004 01:28:57 PM · #12

i like it, i also like the frame buecause it helps create atmosphere that compliments the title (coffee shop). i look at this and it makes me think about the many times i was sitting at a cafe talking over ciggs and coffee, although i have given up the ciggs and upped the coffee. i like it very much. the grain is nice but i do agree that a touch less would help, and if you could see the eyes a tad more too. this shot doesnt need a "focal point" its a mood shot and everyhting in it adds to it in my opinion. i dont want to focus on the cigarette, i want to focus on everything. now if you want to remove the frame, so be it, but then to me it turns it into more of a portrait. if thats what you want then i would definately remove it

charmayne

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/09/2004 01:59:30 PM · #13

I like it...Think the composition is great. As for the picture frame...well it is a CANDID not a portrait if you remove it you take away the feeling of it being outside of a studio set-up. I also like the mood the grain ads with this particular subject, adds to the intensity already set by the subjects expression. Cool shot, if you have others why are they not in your dpc portfolio so we can easily have a look and comment?

12/09/2004 02:27:41 PM · #14

Originally posted by riotspyne:

I think you're making a very good point... I'll probably keep the shot like that but bring down the noise a little and maybe try to lighten the eyes a little, but not too much.

Originally posted by CeeDeez:

Cool shot, if you have others why are they not in your dpc portfolio so we can easily have a look and comment?

Because I haven't invested in becoming a full member yet. ;)

Up to now, I've pretty much always thought that this site wasn't necesserally for me as I didn't feel that the type of photography I like would be appreciated here.
This thread is proving me wrong and am happy about that.
I think you'll see more in my portfolio sometime soon :)

Thanks for all the comments, it really helps the learning process

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/09/2004 02:51:08 PM · #15

Love the shot - kill the border.

12/09/2004 04:11:22 PM · #16

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Love the shot - kill the border.

I'd kill the border if everyone had black backgrounds but it's not the case and frankly, I think the shot loses a little when not framed like that.

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

12/09/2004 04:18:36 PM · #17

I like it, frame above the head and all - for me it keeps the candid feel and atmosphere. How about reducing the thickness of the border? It is too strong for my tastes also.

12/10/2004 02:49:52 PM · #18

Originally posted by Kylie:

I like it, frame above the head and all - for me it keeps the candid feel and atmosphere. How about reducing the thickness of the border? It is too strong for my tastes also.

Point taken.
I'll have some time to make a few adjustements tonight.

I'll repost the results.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/11/2004 01:34:44 PM · #19

Made a few little changes.
Decided to keep the frame behind the man's head to keep the candid idea behind the shot.
Changed the grain to a finer one and made the contrasts a little rougher and brought out the eyes a little tiny bit more.

Do you find it better?

//img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/_Armadildo_/CoffeeShopCandid.jpg

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

12/11/2004 01:50:55 PM · #20

to be honest, I like your original image but with the smaller border you've got on the new edit. I like the feel of the original better.

sue

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

12/11/2004 01:55:05 PM · #21

Excellent IMO. It really works for me. This will be one of those very subjective ones taste wise, I think.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/11/2004 01:58:18 PM · #22

Like the smoother tonal gradations and the finer grain in the redux. Also like the darker color on the frame behind his head. The tops of the fingers are now blown out though (too much red channel there?).
BTW, I also like the thinner frame.