working on China images today...

Damon, it seems like sometimes you focus on the background instead of the subject on purpose. Is this true? You have such a great sense of composition and such a good eye for people that if often works well. I think that in some of the China pictures it helps to convey the fact that you were a foreigner there and not always on the same page as your subjects, or perhaps a little overwhelmed by their surroundings. In the case of this particular image, I'd say that tricks isn't working as well. Maybe it's like a magician's trick, if you see the wire, it's ruined. Here the background focus is pretty obvious and I'd like to see the woman's face myore clearly. She obviously has something on her mind...



Nice. The extremely high contrast conveys a sense that this was a hot bright day. I think the shot might have more punch if you combined the high contrast with artifically high saturation (via LAB curves or whatever).

Yeah, I like that effect. It takes emphasis away from the subject and makes you focus on another part of the photo...only you would notice and KNOW that it's intentional. Glad you like the bikes too. I'll try the lab stuff.

Originally Posted by rutt Damon, it seems like sometimes you focus on the background instead of the subject on purpose. Is this true? You have such a great sense of composition and such a good eye for people that if often works well. I think that in some of the China pictures it helps to convey the fact that you were a foreigner there and not always on the same page as your subjects, or perhaps a little overwhelmed by their surroundings. In the case of this particular image, I'd say that tricks isn't working as well. Maybe it's like a magician's trick, if you see the wire, it's ruined. Here the background focus is pretty obvious and I'd like to see the woman's face myore clearly. She obviously has something on her mind... Nice. The extremely high contrast conveys a sense that this was a hot bright day. I think the shot might have more punch if you combined the high contrast with artifically high saturation (via LAB curves or whatever).