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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2007-12 (Advanced Editing V)
Collection: Challenge Entries
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Location: Kennebec, Maine
Date: Dec 29, 2007
Aperture: f5.6
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/125
Galleries: Candid, Photojournalism
Date Uploaded: Dec 31, 2007

Firefighter Ryan Murray of the Machias Fire Department in Maine.

So let's see, I felt the shot had solid technicals with regard to composition, exposure, and DOF. That the face outline is not razor sharp was a bit by design because of the way his eyes and teeth already pop out, and I was trying to subtly reinforce the smile in light of fire danger - to show the softer side of the person.

For my group, I'm far less interested in what would have made this score better on DPC and much more interested in your emotional reaction to the shot. Does the shot tell you a story? Does it make you curious about the person? Do you wonder what he's smiling about or thinking about?

Thanks.

Statistics
Place: 238 out of 429
Avg (all users): 5.4491
Avg (commenters): 6.2000
Avg (participants): 5.3832
Avg (non-participants): 5.5667
Views since voting: 1767
Views during voting: 280
Votes: 167
Comments: 17
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
01/09/2008 12:30:31 AM
Great shot and it could be the front page of any newspaper. Unfortunately photojournalistic shots like this don't score high in DPC.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 09:08:11 PM
Technicals are terrific. I like the composition as a whole. This is one time where I feel the eyes are incorrect as they neither are engaged with the viewer or the enivornment as such it kind of takes you out of the moment. While I like the simple expression, I think it kind of takes aways from the moment.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 07:18:24 PM
I also gave it a 5, and I remember why. There was something about his stance and his smile that made it LOOK a bit off to me, almost as if it were a posed picture. His expression just didn't seem to fit with the scene ... burning building in the background and he's sitting there posing for GQ. That was my true emotional response to the image ... whether posed or not really doesn't matter to me, its just that he appeared so out of context with his surroundings that I didn't like it. You'll have to be the judge as to whether that's a reaction to the photo or your subject. ;>P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 05:46:49 PM
I feel like I'm in a confessional. I gave this wonderful portrait a 5. What was I thinking.
I guess I didn't like the title, sorry. :(
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 11:28:42 AM
i gave you a 6 cause to me it looks like you have a firefighter at a fire and your trying to do a portrate if it had been some type of action shot i probably would have scored it higher
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 11:24:36 AM
I gave this a 5. I generally do not like portraits. He doesn't seem quite in focus, or maybe it just needs sharpening. As for your question, it really doesn't tell me a story or convey any emotion. He is smiling and looking off somewhere with a fire raging behind him. It looks fake and setup, it does not look like a real fireman at a fire.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 10:42:17 AM
Laurie

A funny thing about this photo. I almost find it a bit unsettling that he is smiling as if just joking with a buddy, not at all concerned about the fire behind him. Maybe the fire is under control, or it is just a training mission, but the smile really grabbed my attention. I think it is a good shot and does tell an interesting story, but I just worry that this guy actually set the fire so he could put it out...

On the processing side (sorry I could not resist!!!) I see in your description that you purposefully did not sharpen his face - an interesting idea, but not the direction I would have gone. Your title says "Hot!" clearly describing him (and maybe the fire), but since it is likely about him, I think I would have made him jump off the screen a bit more.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 08:30:06 AM
Very nice capture! I personally like the softness of this shot. I also like the flames behind him.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 07:30:23 AM
This is one exceptionally well done environmental portrait. I absolutely loved this in voting. I bet he would love to have a copy of this photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 02:18:43 AM
What I liked was the way the flames were framing him so well. I also like the way it's sort of quietly muted, not oversaturated or overbright - very much in keeping with the smokey atmosphere at a fire. The only nit would be the focus on his face. But I still think it's quite a nice environmental portrait and he has a great smile.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/08/2008 02:03:59 AM
Totally underated for the challenge, I like the tone and color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/06/2008 12:58:35 PM
Ah... If you had clear sharp focus on his face, this would be much better photo IMO :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/03/2008 03:23:12 PM
I'll have to ask my 17 year old daughter to confirm if your title is correct.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/02/2008 10:40:26 AM
Could use a little more contrast.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/01/2008 10:11:54 PM
The focus is soft.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/01/2008 12:49:35 PM
agreed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/01/2008 12:15:43 AM
I agree!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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