Street Musician Photo

Photographer’s Note

Repost of my very first upload. Ran through NeatImage to reduce the grain caused by the ISO 400 film, and toned down all colours except for the yellows in order to bring out the musician's instrument and added a bit of contrast.

The main subject still remains the street musician. However by emphasizing his instrument that covers a much smaller percentage of the composition than the musician this saturation tweak should contribute to a more balanced composition. Well, let me know what you think...

Kind regards /Edwin

***

Because of the direct sunlight above me and the saxophonist player I choose a longer shutter speed than needed to save the details in the darker areas. It would also result in a much brighter background which I prefer over a strong blue sky that would only overrule the main subject.
Also I adjusted the direction of the starfilter to the mans bodyline.

After my visit to Prague I discovered that I had a picture of this same person sitting in the end of the stairway that leads to the cathedral. Only that picture was taken five years before I met this remarkable street musician again in 1999.

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Critiques | Translate

numahr (346) 2003-12-02 12:12

Well Edwin this repost illustrates a good use of post-prod tools applied to a subject that definitely deserved it! Thanks also for your notes that are very instructive concerning this process and your intentions.

Of course, here remains the problem of the overwhelming light. But this is a much improved one. Beside the classical removal of noise, I especially appreciate the enhancing of the instrument, that makes the picture more powerful; it now has an autonomy towards the musician.

zto (292) 2003-12-02 13:43

This is very much an improvments of the origional Edwin. Enhancing the saturation on the instrument (saxophone?)worked really good. I am actually not bothered with the bright light. I think the composition as a whole makes my eye turn to his instrument and hands rather then his head.

sarastro (587) 2003-12-02 18:42

Huge improvement Edwin! Neat image tends to give pictures a very soft look and i even find myself adding extra noise afterwards sometimes, but in this shot the softness works very well with the dreamy feeling already present.

This image is sharper, softer and more contrastred than the original, the desaturation you performed worked very well also. Great job!

jrj (34779) 2003-12-03 5:15

Well composed, nice effect from NI. The framing fits perfect. Well done.

manny (21378) 2003-12-04 4:30

I like the effects you used for this shot. It is very ethereal and the simplicity of your composition is a big plus. Nowhere to get distracted: just focus on HIM.(add points tomorrow)

dsidwell (9745) 2003-12-06 23:28

This is really fun. The light is so bright, but seems to suggest or symbolize his music. It's a parallel communication, anyway. Great work!

Estaban (832) 2004-06-14 15:46

Hello Edwin

After critiquing "Significant smile" I couldn't resist looking closer to this picture from Czech Republic as well.

This musician looks almost like an angel surrounded by a bright light playing his beautiful music. He has unnaturally long fingers and those white socks :)

If You would decrease the brightness in the picture it would be probably another photographed musician and this way there is something unusual in it and I like it.

Good job Edwin