We Sail Tonight For Singapore Photo

Photographer’s Note

Some of you are gonna HATE this...
Back from my first and arguably more successful day out with the 50mm, daring myself to get closer and closer, willing my feet to go where they didn't want to go. Before I abandoned my fear of sticking my lens where it didn't belong I tried this one...from the hip..shot. Still forgetting to change the aperture settings by the way..still balls out at f1.8
I took no real pleasure from it, no smug satisfaction that I took a picture of some old guy with a cool face but he doesn't even know it. So why do I post it?
Because I actually do like a couple of things about the result...things some may not...I LIKE the fairly awkward tilt (though it would have been better tilting the other way) and that he happened to be getting up just as I snapped. And I like that this is't cropped and I got him in the frame right down to the end of his toes.
The process...felt dumb...the product made me smile just a bit.

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Critiques | Translate

tcht (7280) 2006-08-24 5:18

Hi Mark,
Man this is v. nice pic. Like the bright background which is very unusual and the attitude of the man. I agree with your tilting approach and it's nice to see that man from top right corner. Good shot.
CheukHin

Furachan (0) 2006-08-24 7:32

This is much better, Mark, no question, and you deserve warm encouragement and praise. This thing moves, it's got wings. Yu're getting somwehere with this.
Only one suggestion: should be in BW, honest. Let me attempt a WS to see...
Cheers,
Francis

[workshop] [compare]

jinju (14265) 2006-08-25 4:55

I agree awith Francis about this shot's quality. The moment, the placing of the grandfather, the look on his face and his glance off frame. But yes, it should be b/w, it just has that feel.

rosaline (0) 2006-08-28 4:41

Hi Mark
This is a good capture from the hip! Not always successful. I think you should just get stuck in and go right in there face to face and do it. All the person can say is no, or chase you with a baseball bat!! Barring that, you will have great success. I like this shot though, as it is a candid one. Great work. Be brave!!!
Aubrey

kensimage (8539) 2006-09-03 14:05

I don't think you should worry about the fact you "shot from the hip," Mark. If it avoids the subject feeling awkward, or spoiling the shot by reacting, then why not? For myself, I ask when the type of shot I want allows that, or if there's no way to avoid the subject knowing what I'm doing. Totally candid (meaning the subject doesn't know) and semi-candid shots both have their advantages. You caught a nice pose and an interesting expression, probably possible on in a total candid. One small comment--the guy on the far right is slightly distracting, you could crop him off. Regards, Ken.

kajspice (4534) 2006-09-05 20:00

Hi Mark,

I thought of you today...(i'll tell you why in a minute). I can see an experimental Mark desperately trying (and succeeding by the way), new things. There is an element of other TE photographers in your pictures, but I would really like to see you form your own style (which I also see you doing by the way). The tilt thing...certainly a good thing, when used well... please read this critique I received some time ago...I must admit, I had the Francis bug and wanted to try out new things, but did not know why I was doing what I was doing. Anyway, I soon lost my liking for this, partly because I feel that some use it much better than I do...

I hope this makes sense...I am sure you will find the relevant critique...

p.s...