Different Worlds

[night86mare]

Was at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple to do IR on it, but the sky was so moody, and didn't get the effect I intended so I just gave up and sat on the pavement, hoping the sky would clear. So while I was there, this ang moh couple just sat underneath the temple as well (at the side); after a while this old man came by.

This scene caught my eye because of a few things - the fact that one is a tourist, one is a local; one is young, one is old; the difference in postures, actions; yet the similarity in concentration and perceived mood.

I had nothing to do, so well, I just snapped a few pictures, kept this one. Because the old man was moving, and I had not much experience in taking people, I er, opened up the aperture more. Resulting in the ang moh woman in the background being slightly soft when you blow it up - not sure if you can see it here.

All C&C is welcome, but in particular C&C in these areas would be much appreciated:

1) Can you see the point I am trying to make without reading any writeup?
2) Is the softness (of the background) perceivable at this size or am I just being overtly critical of the sharpness?
3) Processing - whether it works for you to set a "mood"

Many thanks to whoever takes the time to reply, and cheers!

 

[zac08]

It may take a while for the message to sink in as they are rather small in the picture and frankly, my first impression was 2 person resting as a bunch of commuters walk past. I didn't see the difference of a tourist and a local until it was pointed out in the write up.

Personally, I would have liked the picture if you had a better closup of the 2 at a less oblique angle. And without the passer-bys.

 

[night86mare]

It may take a while for the message to sink in as they are rather small in the picture and frankly, my first impression was 2 person resting as a bunch of commuters walk past. I didn't see the difference of a tourist and a local until it was pointed out in the write up.

Personally, I would have liked the picture if you had a better closup of the 2 at a less oblique angle. And without the passer-bys.

Should have gotten up and moved to the right, you mean? =)

Yes, I agree with what you have said, they are a little small after all when reduced to this size. :think: In the end I also cannot tell whether the woman is ang moh or not, hrm.

Thanks for the comments, noted and will improve next time. =)

 

[zac08]

Should have gotten up and moved to the right, you mean? =)

Yes, I agree with what you have said, they are a little small after all when reduced to this size. :think: In the end I also cannot tell whether the woman is ang moh or not, hrm.

Thanks for the comments, noted and will improve next time. =)

yup... Well, nice attempt, hope to see more from you the next time.

 

[creampuff]

I like the look you have achieved by your post processing. Do you mind PM me how you did it?
Composition wise, a good effort, though it could have conveyed an impression of a lazy day or people deep in thought. I'd have waited till the people in the background moved away because as it is, the converging lines sort of direct the eye to them.

 

[sprintist]

It may take a while for the message to sink in as they are rather small in the picture and frankly, my first impression was 2 person resting as a bunch of commuters walk past. I didn't see the difference of a tourist and a local until it was pointed out in the write up.

Personally, I would have liked the picture if you had a better closup of the 2 at a less oblique angle. And without the passer-bys.

i second the last sentence, to exclude the passer by as they too distracting, i actuallylooked at them first..haha

 

[espion]

the focal point is not on old and young, chinese and ang mo, male and female, but the lines lead you away into the open, to the passerbys, and your intended subjects are literally side shows, and viewers will have a hard time "seeing" what you are saying. Of course the ang mo being OOF does not help to make it a subject either.

But even dicounting the compositional ineffectiveness, even if you have got viewer's focus on your subjects, so what about the contrast between these two people? whats pic-worthy about it?

 

[stimbijik]

In my opinion, if you move to right side of the old man while he is doing something facing you, would be much more of a story to describe.

 

[night86mare]

I like the look you have achieved by your post processing. Do you mind PM me how you did it?
Composition wise, a good effort, though it could have conveyed an impression of a lazy day or people deep in thought. I'd have waited till the people in the background moved away because as it is, the converging lines sort of direct the eye to them.

Hrm, I HDRed it from a single RAW, mainly to bring out the details and fine textures in the scene, and to provide finer contrasts, saved as 16 bit TIFF in Photomatix. After that, did a little bit of Shadow/Highlight adjustment, some channel mixing, before adding a sepia filter. Upped contrast, added vignetting effect.

Yeah, I know what you mean, didn't get a second chance though; after that a whole bunch of rowdy salesmen sat between the 2 so that was that.

 

[night86mare]

i second the last sentence, to exclude the passer by as they too distracting, i actuallylooked at them first..haha

the focal point is not on old and young, chinese and ang mo, male and female, but the lines lead you away into the open, to the passerbys, and your intended subjects are literally side shows, and viewers will have a hard time "seeing" what you are saying. Of course the ang mo being OOF does not help to make it a subject either.

But even dicounting the compositional ineffectiveness, even if you have got viewer's focus on your subjects, so what about the contrast between these two people? whats pic-worthy about it?

Agreed with both's comments on the composition, in retrospect.

On espion's point about the pic-worthiness:

A culture clash, basically. How they are different yet the same, effectively just because one does not see the contrast and "worthiness" in it does not mean others cannot, so long as one other person can effectively see everything, assuming that I portray it correctly, my job is done.

Did Picasso need to really justify in words and lengthy explanations as to why he dreamt up his scenes? Even if he did, people might derive what they may from the picture, and not what he dreamt up - few people might think the same way as the artist, and not every picture needs to shout out a story. Even whispers, may work.

Of course all this is on a personal viewpoint level, might not be applicable here in Critique corner anymore.

In my opinion, if you move to right side of the old man while he is doing something facing you, would be much more of a story to describe.

=D Not really willing to start sniping people so openly with a limited kit lens range, hehe. Maybe in other countries, not here.

 

[espion]

Did Picasso need to really justify in words and lengthy explanations as to why he dreamt up his scenes?

But u not Picasso ma. When u Picasso then say again lor ...

 

[night86mare]

But u not Picasso ma. When u Picasso then say again lor ...

But that's not really the point is it? =)

Thread closed, thanks for all comments! =)