[Leica] IMGS - Below the National Gallery

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Bob, can I add, you offered your picture and listened to people's comments. 
You have candidly said why you think you could have made
the shot better. We all I think, have ten thousand of those photo stories, 
well I do, maybe not Ted. His cameras can only record
decisive moments! This is really the essence of the LUG isn't it, 
photographing, sharing, commenting, listening, evaluating that
commentary and improving. Clearly you are good at all of these. I am really 
looking forward to seeing more work from you and sharing
the learning.
On the DoF, there are post processing workarounds as you would know. 

Kind regards
Geoff who you still think of as Hoppy.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: [Leica] IMGS - Below the National Gallery

Thanks for your comments, Ted, I agree. It was close, but as they say 
around here, that only counts when throwing horseshoes.

You are right:  I was standing near the unfolding scene with a 28mm lens 
on my M8.  I didn't feel comfortable barging over to get a close up.  It 
would have destroyed the dynamic (and perhaps my reputation if the adult 
got concerned and called for help).  Even wide open, with the 28mm I 
could not throw the background adequately out of focus.  My back was 
hurting and I didn't crouch down as I should have. I tried various crops 
but there is too much distraction in the scene.

Here, btw, is the full frame before cropping:

http://leica-users.org/v36/msg04036.html

Phillipe, I did try it in b&w but it didn't feel right to me.  I think 
the color is what would have made it a good shot if I could have got the 
rest of it right.

Fortunately, as Ted points out, there will be another time.

Practice practice practice!

--Bob

===On 24 November 2007 Ted Grant wrote:

> Bob Baron offered wisely:
> 
>>>.  I've tried several crops of this shot, including the  
> 
>> following, but I'm not sure the image has enough 'punch' (whatever  
> 
>> that is) to be a long time keeper:
> 
>> 
> 
>> http://www.bobbaron.com/DC_Oct07/W_L1004200KidsLineV2.jpg
> <http://www.bobbaron.com/DC_Oct07/W_L1004200KidsLineV2.jpg%3c%3c%3c%3c%3c%3c
>> <<<<<<
> 
>  
> 
> Hi Bob,
> 
> You are absolutely right!
> 
>  
> 
>>> but I'm not sure the image has enough 'punch' (whatever  
> 
> *       that is) to be a long time keeper:<<<<
> 
>  
> 
> It's close but sure doesn't win! It's not a keeper by any means. Actually
> this type of photograph creates ten times or more effort screwing around
> with it trying to make something out of it than it's worth. You're correct,
> "there isn't any punch to it." Oh one can isolate segments with our eyes
> looking at the photo and see the little girl on her tippy toes, the facial
> expressions but not large enough to really make a significant photograph of
> what's there. Because of the clutter.
> 
>  
> 
> You saw the right moment, that's always the most important part. The making
> it work comes from being in the right spot or the ability to move to a 
> shoot
> position and angle to capture what motivated you. But you weren't in the
> best position because of the distracting and physical aspects.  
> 
>  
> 
> There's a neat picture potential here if:
> 
>  
> 
> 1: the cable wasn't across the frame, the young lady to centre right is
> holding onto.
> 
>  
> 
> 2: you bent your knees to a much lower angle (( Oh and how that hurts 
> trying
> to get back up!)) :-) 
> 
>  
> 
> 3: Used a longer lens to capture only the two girls on the left in a
> vertical composition and their face to face re-action which can be seen. 
> And
> the tippy toes! WOW!  That little bit of physical expression is part of her
> anticipation at receiving an ice cream cone and of course comes from having
> looked at all the different ice creams. 
> 
>  
> 
> A small but important part of the motivation to take the picture in the
> first place. 
> 
>  
> 
> Never mind Bob the most important part of all? You saw the moment, it was
> just unfortunate you couldn't get into the ideal shoot spot! :-(
> 
>  
> 
> This kind of situation falls into the category of . "It's much better to
> have seen the moment, than never to have seen at all!" Simply because if 
> you
> don't see the moments in the first place you'll never shoot anything but
> exposures of useless moments. And we all know you see very well, execute
> very well and know when to "punch the button at the right time." From your
> previous postings
> 
>  
> 
> Just right this off as "just one of those things! " And for heaven sake
> don't feel bad because you are not alone! Quite frankly if I had a dollar
> for every moment like this I've shot in my many years I would be a very 
> rich
> man! :-) Better luck next time.
> 
>  
> 
> ted
> 
>  
> 
>  



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