Faces in the crowd - 4 of 4 Photo

Photographer’s Note

Faces in the crowd - London.

At Horse Guards - all the girls love a man in uniform.

I posted a colour version in the workshop.

Nobody has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

broglia (3361) 2008-03-30 3:37

Great expression you've captured Ben - that beaming smile contrasted by the dour look from the soldier doing his best to ignore her attention. I like the way the couple are pushed into the corner - increasing the feeling of entrapment for the poor guy. Was in two minds about the "bleached" background at first, but certainly prefer it over the colour version with all its little distractions.

See a previous shot of mine from Horse Guards here

Excellent, Roberto

bantonbuju (48796) 2008-03-30 5:03

hi ben,
classical model and the innovative way of showing his "duty" of not to get influenced by young, pretty and charming girls trying distract him from his task of staying cool...i can only imagine him thinking "wait you little witch, when i'm off i shall...@#$%&^#"...
this photo is the best in the series, imho...
(oh, i forgot to mention that the background is unnoticeable, which it ought to be here...:-))
best, j.

Clairedelune (4885) 2008-03-30 8:08

Hello Ben,
That is my favorite as well. It might be a little too contrasted for my own taste, them being a little too dark and the background too white, but since it is a matter of preference and PP, I won't say much about it.
I think the moment is just perfect! If I'm not wrong, it is quite a popular play to try to divert the poor guy doing his job and having to be impassive. I would not be able to do this kind of job, that's for sure! Anyway, like I said, you took the photo just at the right moment, the girl expression is priceless, with the big smile and the eyes looking straight at the guy.
A good one!
Claire

robiuk (10763) 2008-03-30 10:34

I still haven't decided whether I like this one or not,
Ben. I mean, I could easily mirror Claire's critique...
but to be completely honest, I haven't even
decided yet which one I like better - the colour version
or this b/w one. I think it's the BG that bothers me the most
- it's less distractive in b/w, but it's still there. I recon, if I could
have the colour version with non-intrusive BG from b/w version,
that would be the winning combination.
Robi

ktanska (16695) 2008-04-04 5:48

Hi Ben,
A shot well worth a more careful look. I like the connection between the woman pushing up close and the guard which is not supposed to react in any way.
Good exposure and PP giving attention to shadow and fading out the background.
Kari

rushfan2112 (2965) 2008-04-05 1:51

Hi Ben.
Cracking exposure and look on the girl's face. I wonder what he's just said to her....? Despite the background being OE, I think the 'look' of the shot is superb. The D300 is obviously suiting your style...
Regards, Paul.

martburn (533) 2009-02-14 4:10

Hello Ben

Top drawer. Subject, moment, composition, rim-lighting to seperate the people and use of B+W, a favourite I think.

I might've removed that button (still not sure)

Martin