Can you please whip this (Man & Boot)

[samya]

Hi Guys,
Shot this a week back at San Francisco. Please critique.
TIA
-Samya
http://samya.smugmug.com/photos/29212779-L-1.jpg

[Andy]

it's close. like the toning, and the subject matter. would like a wider view, it would lend more drama, and make the shot less "clinical." keep it up!

[wxwax]

I'm trying to figure out what I don't like. Something's missing. What's good, for me, is the man, but especially his shoes. The shoes are the beginning of a terrific story. Like Andy, I wonder if wider would help, but I'm not sure. I'm puzzling, because this is sooo close, to me.

[JamesJWeg]

I think the size vs framing has something to due with it, the light colored pipe is drawing my eyes up away from the subject for some reason.

James.

P.S. How was it cropped?

[wxwax]

I think the size vs framing has something to due with it, the light colored pipe is drawing my eyes up away from the subject for some reason.

James.

P.S. How was it cropped?
Yes, I agree, that pipe cutting across the image is distracting.

[samya]

I think the size vs framing has something to due with it, the light colored pipe is drawing my eyes up away from the subject for some reason.

James.

P.S. How was it cropped? You mean something like this:
http://samya.smugmug.com/photos/30548281-M-1.jpg

There was a blackish garbage can on the right side of this guy, next to the boot. I have another shot with all three (Man, boot, garbage can). But then it looked a bit cluttered in my eyes.

In fact, I'm getting that 'too close' feeling too. Something at that time asked me to take the shot, but when I look back at it, I just wonder, "This shot is trying to tell a story, but what is it??"

[Angelo]

You mean something like this:


There was a blackish garbage can on the right side of this guy, next to the boot. I have another shot with all three (Man, boot, garbage can). But then it looked a bit cluttered in my eyes.

In fact, I'm getting that 'too close' feeling too. Something at that time asked me to take the shot, but when I look back at it, I just wonder, "This shot is trying to tell a story, but what is it??"
Ah, the challenge of good photography, huh?

I've come back to view this again and realize now that this is a photo of a real person. On first viewing I thought I was looking at a park sculpture thanks to the great coloration you chose.

I don't think there's any one thing that is right or wrong with this; I think it's a combination of things. What's right is the subject and the coloring. What's wrong, for my taste, is the combination of the too-tight crop, the bar cutting the image and your downward point of view. I bet if you fix any one of those 3 you wind up with a better picture. (IMHO)

[JamesJWeg]

You mean something like this:
http://samya.smugmug.com/photos/30548281-M-1.jpg

There was a blackish garbage can on the right side of this guy, next to the boot. I have another shot with all three (Man, boot, garbage can). But then it looked a bit cluttered in my eyes.

In fact, I'm getting that 'too close' feeling too. Something at that time asked me to take the shot, but when I look back at it, I just wonder, "This shot is trying to tell a story, but what is it??"
I think I would try cloning out the bar instead of cropping, it is getting too tight.

James.

[JimM]

I like the cropped version of the photo tons better, but we are missing what the man is looking at. Was he looking at anything of interest?

I love the color/tone of this shot and the concept is terrific.

[samya]

I had one of the larger area shots including the garbage can here. What do you ppl think?

http://samya.smugmug.com/photos/31333127-L-2.jpg

[wxwax]

I think it just divides our attention.

[pathfinder]

I had one of the larger area shots including the garbage can here. What do you ppl think?

http://samya.smugmug.com/photos/31333127-L-2.jpg
You were right - Kick the can!