Never Dying Profession

[xtremeonline]

I wanted to express the hardwork of the drink seller, that doesn't earn much under the hot sun. I edited the basic settings of the picture (brightness, saturation, etc.) I used this photo to join the http://www.heritagefest.org.sg/content/66/Overview.html compeition, and i wasnt in. Hmm not neighbourhood enough maybe? Haha.

1.in what area is critique to be sought?
I appreciate comments on snapping photos that tells a story. Like is there a better way to express what u are feeling at that situation?

2.what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
Showing viewers the hardship of selling drinks under the hot sun. Not everyone is able to do it.

3.under what circumstance is the picture taken?
Around 6.30pm. I zoomed using my 18-200mm lens.
Taken at 1/200, f/5.6, ISO-200

4.what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture
I think the drink uncle shows hardship of the job. :think:

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Will delete this thread later if TS does not increase size of image

 

[xtremeonline]

Will delete this thread later if TS does not increase size of image

Updated image size.

 

[Octarine]

The uncle is underexposed and hardly visible. If this your main focal point you should at least focus on him (literally). Here, the focus is on the cans. Portrait would work better here, the poles left and right right don't add anything but distract the viewer.

 

[vyeow]

I think you can improve this shot by focussing more on the uncle. Having him in focus and tighter cropping will improve this. I think the colour tone really matches what you're going for.

 

[cabbySHE]

Let's start with your submission to photo competition...

When pictures are sent for competition judging...first thing in concern, is to let the viewer/ judges understand the story of your photo ( bcoz there aren't no title for them to read ).

There is a recent trend whereby the picture content is hollow/empty but the artist/photographer will use some tricky /phoney title like...do you see anything, is there something.. trying to sidetrack the attn. of the viewer into looking for something which is non-existence. It might work here, but never in a juding session, as the judges has got thousands more images to go thro, they might have just 3 - 5 sec. to decide whether the submitted works is in or out.

So, ignoring the title, this picture does not provide viewer any feeling...only thro your description. If...
there is a contrast showing the sweating of the seller under hot sun while selling his drinks to people patronizing and enjoying the cold drinks under the shade of his umbrella, then it will work. In which case, I'd prefers to choose the ice-cream stall seller instead or the neighbourhood cobbler. ( which mend peoples' sole (soul).

So, now you know why your submission is out ?

The above is about picture content, next task is to have a good control / understanding of photo-technique, composition, exposure, lighting, focusing, decisive moment, proper focal length used, good understanding of colour co-ordination and also post processing.

All of the above put together and (perhaps) you will have a picture ready to collect award.

Perhaps..is bcoz depending on whether there are other strong contender.
Nevermind, I started off just like you. Persevere.

 

[undergrd]

Nevermind, I started off just like you. Persevere.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[xtremeonline]

Perhaps..is bcoz depending on whether there are other strong contender.
Nevermind, I started off just like you. Persevere.

Hey thanks for the useful comments. Really appreciate it.
I will work harder and try to improve on my pictures.

 

[genegoh]

Let me attempt to look at this photo from another point of view.

Obviously, the photo is underexposed and the colour is off. Too much red.

Composition wise, the photo ain't that bad, just by the photo alone and not judging by the writeup or title.
Framing of the picture ain't fantastic, it's quite normal.

The foreground elements tell a story.
The precious hawker licence, slightly old yet neatly framed, secured by simple means of rubber bands to a bamboo pole.
$1 for a can drink. In this day and age, it tells of a simple honest business.
The rows of can drinks. Many varieties of drinks from a seemingly small stall. Trying that extra bit to earn a living by catering to young and old alike.

Focusing on the man, it'll tell one story. Focusing on his wares, it tells a similar story, but from a different point of view.

To the TS, keep shooting, do more self-critique, maybe get a buddy to help you too. Cheers!

 

[night86mare]

I wanted to express the hardwork of the drink seller, that doesn't earn much under the hot sun. I edited the basic settings of the picture (brightness, saturation, etc.) I used this photo to join the http://www.heritagefest.org.sg/content/66/Overview.html compeition, and i wasnt in. Hmm not neighbourhood enough maybe? Haha.

1.in what area is critique to be sought?
I appreciate comments on snapping photos that tells a story. Like is there a better way to express what u are feeling at that situation?

2.what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
Showing viewers the hardship of selling drinks under the hot sun. Not everyone is able to do it.

3.under what circumstance is the picture taken?
Around 6.30pm. I zoomed using my 18-200mm lens.
Taken at 1/200, f/5.6, ISO-200

4.what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture
I think the drink uncle shows hardship of the job. :think:

for any photo competition, composition, composition is the key point, most times unless your picture really falls out of the theme, composition is the key driving factor.

you say "i want to express hard work of seller", how have you done that by shooting his drinks and him sitting down? it is easy to say, but not easy to show. have you captured a moment where you can really say that you have expressed the hard work? maybe a grimace would have served better.

as for composition, let me tell you what i see when i look at the picture. i see the drinks. i see the bunch of yellow straws that have become a bouquet of straws, i see $1 sign, i see license of seller, then i see the seller's face. i find it a great effort to decipher what you intend to show. which one is the important element? what do you want me to see? i see a mess.

almost always, less is more. this doesn't mean finding a simple scene. it means composing the scene so that your key element hits the viewer hard and fast, and keeps them wanting more.

 

[shaoken]

To me, it seems like you're focusing on the cans and not the uncle.
The uncle seems OOF..

Don't know is my eyes or what.
Does other see the uncle as an OOF subject? :dunno:

 

[Repty]

I think you can improve this shot by focussing more on the uncle. Having him in focus and tighter cropping will improve this. I think the colour tone really matches what you're going for.

I agree, might want to place the focus on the uncle instead as you said that you wanted to fcous on the hard work of the uncle, so maybe you focus on uncle face to show him working hard under the hot weather.

Or maybe you wanted to fcous on cans to show the amount of cans he has to sell?
Might want to brighten it up abit though.

 

[msz69ers]

:think:The way i see contrast too dark and the focus should be on the uncle not the cans and straws. If you want both focus should try higher ''F'' eg. F8 + flash should do the job. Anyway good idea keep shooting.