Peer Pressure Photo

Photographer’s Note

I apologize once again. I must be going through some kind of phase because I just don't feel like uploading any landscape photos for a while.

Location: The skatepark in Orem, Utah.

About the photo: This guy kept trying to show his friends a trick, but he couldn’t ever land it. This was his second or third attempt. He finally landed it on his fourth or fifth try. You've got to admire his perseverance.

I cropped off the top of the photo because there were a lot of things I considered distracting.

Clairedelune, leiju, vthomas, luisafonso, a_i_ren, Floydian, wautersw, zeca, tcht, stego has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Clairedelune (4885) 2006-10-29 11:37

Eeeee... is there a problem in posting people photos instead of landscapes? Why not bringing in our smiling face all your skills? So, don't apologize.
About the photo, well I would have prefer to be able to see their faces, though it may not have been possible. I like how they seem to be really attentive to their friend's attempts. The crop is fine and your B&W is excellent (though I am far from being an expert on that subject!).
Please, don't be shy. Give us more!
Claire

[2] +

chicken (1781) 2006-10-29 11:58

I don't mind landscapes as long as you keep posting great images.
In this one I especially like the tones and how you've composed it. The four guys are perfectly "arranged" to give us a view at the fifth guys trick. The concrete makes for a nice, slightly textured background. Do you know the magazine Lenswork? In issue 57 (1.2MB preview issue) there was a great b&w portfolio of a scatepark by Arthur Tress. Your series somehow reminded me on that. Check it out, it might give you some more non-landscape ideas.

leiju (1683) 2006-10-29 12:01

Lovely to see that you excell in all kinds of pictures, not just your perfect landscapes :D
I really enjoy the crop here, forcing us to focus on what is going on, rather than anything beyond. I also think the way the 'boy's and their bikes are positioned is really powerful, making a distinct half-circle around the one we ought to be focusing on. All that reminding us of the circle that is the wheel of a bicycle. Truly an excellent shot for all the circular movements going on in it.
I don't mind not seeing their faces, especially as we can clearly read two of them and figure out what's going on as they are busy watching/performing.
A brilliant shot, keep'm coming :D
TFS, Julia

[2] +

vthomas (688) 2006-10-29 12:05

Hi again Ryan!
I'm fan of this one, from the photo to the title and your note "about the photo" is exactly describing what I expected when I just saw the photo. I have spent some time in skate parks some years ago trying to "look cool"... I failed big time let me tell you, haha... but the point is that this photo is exactly to the point to describe what happens in these parks: guys in groups, getting motivation from eachothers, annoucing their tricks, checking on eachothers, falling, falling and falling again, before getting it right. Beyond the nice composition, nice B&W choice, right timing to press the shutter, etc, you have capture the mood of the event and that's where the photographer makes a difference. So congratulations to you really! I'm glad you post these kind of photos as they show (if it was needed) that you have a complete palette of photographers' skills.
I don't know how many skateboard, roller or BMX fans there are on TE but I'm sure the fans won't miss that one!
Cheers
Vincent

[2] +

kensimage (8539) 2006-10-29 13:04

I always like to see photographers step outside their usual genre, to see what they can do without their past work to fall back on. Obviously you don't need a pretty landscape in front of you to take good shots. I like the clear features of teen-aged-ness here--slouching postures, just hanging with only one of the group being active. The bikes are well positioned compositionally, too, none blocking any other. I hope you'll continue to stray at times from your main bread and butter! Regards, Ken.

Lynette (1615) 2006-10-29 13:15

HI Ryan, b&w does brilliant justice to your well composed image. Your pov and perspective is great. the overall cropping is good and positioning is perfectly timed. TFS
regards
Lynette

luisafonso (858) 2006-10-29 13:43

Well, count me in because I am in that phase too... Wanna it the street with me one of these days? Lisbon streets, of course! :) Nice to see you once again at the skatepark. The compo is a bit tight for me but the placement of the guys is amazing. It's incredible how you achieved to pull all the attention to the right guy without any aperture tricks. Your b&w is also very good. I like it!

Cormac (26449) 2006-10-29 13:54

Hey - what are you apologizing for? This is a great shot, both from a compositional point of view, as well as the story. The positioning of the riders is very good, giving each enough space to exisit as an individual, while the grouping is interesting. The interaction between them gives a little story, and this is the aspect I like the best. Great piece of work!

a_i_ren (1315) 2006-10-29 14:12

Hi, Ryan,
Regardless of which subject or style of photography you choose, the results are always great! Amazing "arc" based compo, perfect framing directs attention to your main subject, excellent B&W tones equilibrium!
Compliments!!!
Inna

Floydian (30970) 2006-10-29 15:41

Hi ryan,
The scenery itself does not much to me, but the tight crop and the excellent b&w coversion is high class, and the longer i look at it the more i like it.
Converting to b&w is difficult....very difficult, but what you hvae done here is an outstanding job..!!!
Regards, Henk

mlopes (492) 2006-10-29 16:13

Why should you apologize Ryan? for instance, i like to do street photography, but some weeks ago i felt the need to upload some landscapes just to decompress :)

i think it's good for you to do some diferent stuff when you feel the need to, and don't apologize!

Mario

jaywalker (12190) 2006-10-29 17:11

Hi Ryan, a great B/W action shot, superb focas & lighting, the POV is perfect, love the way two of the guys look keen to have a go, one looks in awe & the forth looks totally disinterested, the frameing is excellent & like you said no distractions, kind regards Wilson

vapours (7913) 2006-10-29 20:29

Hey Ryan,

Its a simple photo of a simple scene, but I think its very effective. The darkened clothes and bikes against the clear concrete is quite appealing to the eye, and your black border enforces that. Its a good shot.

lukas (2027) 2006-10-30 8:01

Hi Ryan
Simple but very attractive photo. Nice to see the reactions of the watching guys. Good composition and frame. Well done!!
Luc

Burberry1 (6041) 2006-10-30 8:56

Hello Ryan;)))
Interesting POV, great compo and very dynamic photo which catches the attention.
I like the B&w here and good quality,
Agnieszka

wautersw (3603) 2006-10-30 12:28

Hi Ryan,

Nice shot, it doesn't have to be a landscape all the time ;-) .
Good sharpness and shot at just the right moment.

TFS

Wolf

nicoz (1963) 2006-11-01 7:24

Hi Ryan,
Nice shot. The compo is a killer: good and simple. Your gallery is very good! Beautifull landscapes, but I like your park shots too!!!
Nicolas

zeca (20026) 2006-11-08 11:04

Hi Ryan!
Nice framing! I like your choice for b&w and the contrasts are great! Also good timing..
Regards,
Zeca

sothy81 (8520) 2006-11-15 16:28

Hi Ryan, This is amazing. Very active and fun. your choice of BW is good here. I like it. Regards, Sothy

danielswalsh (13318) 2006-11-29 0:05

My little Cousin would like this shot as he's quite the avid skater.

I don't know where some of these guys get the 'cohones' to do some of these stunts. I guess the nerve goes with age! hahaha.
Excellent cropping in this shot, and a good choice for B&W.

All the best,
- Dan

pgorod (1122) 2006-11-30 6:53

I really like the compo here, with all the bikes pointing to the main subject... I'm glad he missed his trick so many times, it gave you time to get yours right... :-)

tcht (7298) 2006-12-05 15:24

Hi Ryan
The high PoV is great and I also like the tight framing. The moment captured is nice and I especially like the look on the two faces. Good BW conversion too, tfs :)
Cheers
CheukHin

CaptainJack (0) 2006-12-05 18:04

Hey Ryan, another solid shot in your series at the skate park. Very compact crop which I like, though part of me wishes you were on the other side, giving us a better look at the curve/lip of the concrete bowl, showing us exactly what balancing trick he had to do to stay upright. Then again, all the "backs" towards your lens does evoke that sensation of us/the other bikers, "learning" from the teacher at the front of the class so to speak...

stego (22350) 2006-12-05 20:03

Hi Ryan,
A great compo to show the scene. The image is very efective showing the efort of the cyclist and the atention of his peers. A truly great "decisive moment".
Congratulations.

uccia84 (720) 2006-12-06 16:06

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!goooooooooooood!

Polonaise (5634) 2006-12-09 12:24

How dare you, Ryan?
How dare you! (giggling)
If you're THE photographer - you're a photographer!
And photographing people is the most exciting nature photography there is.
People's photography ? Nature photography?
Who cares. Put your heart in it and you're the winner.
What is this picture?
A stunning assembly of whites and darks, composed in extremely proportionate manner, with the good taste and with clearly visible, graphical talent.
Lucky you, I forgot the mathematical formula about it. If I'll recall it - I'll send it to you.
It's only about six pages of easy to understand numbers and trigonometry' symbols.
Simple..? But of course. As simple as the explanation of the beauty of your photograph.
Have a great day, buddy
g.

vagabondtravels (6103) 2007-01-22 20:36

Hey Ryan

Nice pov and comp. Good choice of b&w.
Great crop. Well seen and captured.
Ben