Hi,

Mr. Pinta, 90 yo street musitian, I had a chance to quick chat with him.

Taken with Nikon 810 + 50/1,4 AF-D old lens.  Processing - DXO Photolab RAW development to color and then Silfer Efex from Nik collection, digital grain added.

Some people refer that the crop is too tight on his right arm .. I tend to agree, if had a chance for second attempt, I would try to step back a bit. But this is a candid photo, not posed.

I like his pose, dominant left arm, and overall I believe the photo shows his personality well.

Is the tight crop too bad? Would you suggest other corrections? Does it play well in your eyes?

Is is worth to send for curation?

Thank you very much

Ondrej

Hi Ondrej and welcome to " The Real Critique " Thank you for sharing this fine image with us all. First may I say most images can be improved in some way but at the end of the day will all that work be worth it.

That said I think you subject is wonderful I might have sat him down and included some kind of eye contect - I find the eyes a window to the soul. And you are right the framing is a little too tight.

I did take your image back into Photoshop for a play but I have to say halfway through I stopped and thought will I end up with a published image - I thought not so what you see is a half finished image - I did give your image more space with Fill / Content aware -  followed by clone and blend tools - I also did a crude selection so I could blurr the background a little. It needs a lot more work so that it will look the part - You judge Ondrej will all that work give you a winner.

Hi Ondrej Plachy PRO --- @ Nice to meet you on the Criticism Forum with one of your photos entitled "Street Photo - Mr. Pinta" + attached data...Thanks for that.--- @ I feel like the photo this, I feel you are quite successful in recording it as a street photo, you can capture an interesting moment, I who saw it "as if I can feel" that Mr. Pinta with an advanced age (90 years...as you mentioned) his senses have started reduced a lot, he may have begun to forget, just look at a key (...a house key?) hanging on his neck (easy to remember and achieve), his past glory as a musician is still visible on his face with his mustache and white beard still neatly groomed, clothes that he also still looks good (TQ for your information about the appearance of a street musician profession... even though it's just a street musician but a neat appearance is still needed, right?). As a street photo shown in black and white, I can see that you are quite good at processing it... processing Black and White can still be enjoyed by the tone n detail, that's all I can find in your photo as a photo that contains a story (content of the story) certainly will not be the same, many varieties will be found for the viewer of this photo). --- @ "...Some people say that the crop is too tight..." I "agree" with this opinion(personally, especially if I see the part "the legs are cut off"...For me the legs are cut "feel "very important"...of course if it is not cut/whole is "better" because this can reduce my curiosity, because I see my left hand is holding firmly on the back of the chair/bench (you also pay attention to this side) , because the view also seems to be directed downwards...whether this is a reflection of his cautious attitude due to old age or lack of the side of the leg underneath. I really appreciate your opinion after hearing people's comments, you will do --" .. ..if I have a chance for a second try, I'll try to step back a bit.". I hope this score is so tight that it discourages you, because everyone can have a different opinion. A woman's vision is "as if wedged" between a musician's right arm and the left frame line, maybe a lot of people would like to say/suggest just delete it, but maybe for me this is another sign of life on the way. So....I still like this photo. Regarding whether or not this photo is sent for curation, it's all in your hands. ---@ Thanks again for this opportunity. Healthy greetings always for you...Johanes Januar -- SC

Hi Ondrej, your picture touches ..., that's why I would like to give you feedback, although I am not part of the critique team and also not a professional photographer and not used to give critiques.  Yes, at first glance I also find the image framing too tight, the legs and some space on the left edge of the image are missing.  But, what is important for me, regarding the impression and mood are three points: The face with the eyes looking downwards (or may be looking inside), the left hand grasping firmly the chair and the key hanging around the neck.  These three points for me are telling a story of an 90y old man, who is still vivid and shows strength but is also struggling with the shortcomings of aging.  My be it would be an option to go closer and to crop even tighter, eliminating the lower part and the left side, which bring no additional information to the viewer.  That's just my humble option, finally it's up to your feeling and decision. Best regards, Uwe

Hi,

thank you everybody for your critique and opinions, your opinions are very valuable for me, I appreciate you time and effort.

There’s only one suggestion I must refuse - extending canvas, cloning, etc. .. is clearly beyond my personal line of digital manipulation. I use only: cropping, global adjustments, local adjustment (doge, burn, structure), grain. Just my personal taste of being honest with my images, I even try to reduce use of local adjustments.

To complete the story of Mr. Pinta, I attach two more images. One is just to show that he still has plenty of light in his eyes in his age and the other one is another my favorite portrait of him – this picture was refused to publish during curation.

Honestly if this picture is not enough to be published, I have nothing to offer to 1x curation process and purchasing 1x membership is waste of money for me.

Thank you

Ondrej

Ondrej, 

I understand and respect your photo-philosophy of minimal manipulation.  It is fundamental to street photography where the images are expected to be real. 

Of the three portraits of Mr. Pinta I like the first one best.  I haven't commented on the photo, but I have been following the discussion.  Uwe pointed out three important elements - the downward gaze, the hand grasping the bench, and the key around his neck.  It's said that good street photographs tell a story.  Those small details contribute a lot to the story.   

The photo may not have been chosen by the Head Curators, but that doesn't mean it isn't a worthy photo.  I feel your discouragement.  I think all members here know the sting of having their best photos rejected.  I'll share a quotation that was meant to encourage aspiring writers, but applies to photogaphers and other artists as well.  It was written by novelist, Barbara Kingsolver . . . . 

“This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address’. Just keep looking for the right address.”

Anyway, that's my 2¢ worth. 

Steven, senior critic

Hi Ondrej Plachy PRO --- @ Thank you for continuing to show your photos of Mr. recording. Ask in this forum... I'm glad to see it and enjoy it... @ I've also been following your review and your response to the previous photo. I only read your response with my language limitations, I'm afraid I misunderstood what you meant, especially regarding things that support photos to be adjusted according to the taste of photo viewers, especially "path manipulation" (even if that happens for example)...but in general, I can catch what you mean, so I continue with this new photo I will try to do another test to share with you ---@ Again I am interested in your photo this time, especially when I see the expression on his face Mr. Pinta is looking at something towards the front, secondly I really like the lighting that falls on the upper body parts, that's what attracts me. But I was a little disturbed by the human body in front of him + the existing drinking glass. For that I try to do a trial again for you, hopefully this is pleasing to your heart. ---@ Thank you for this opportunity, Best wishes to you always...Johanes Januar -- SC

Hi Ondrej Plachy ---@ As for this work, I still like what you recorded about Mr. Pinta's street photos, I can catch his expression while walking with great care and I'm quite interested. ---@ I only feel that the recording shows "the lines of the buildings in the background look a bit disturbing" ...a lot of the lines look slanted (doors, stairs and building lines that seem to cut off the head), from the tests carried out I did, I just tried to "make it straighter", I didn't dare to delete it. This kind of result, the possibility will be slightly reduced if you make a "blur in the background" when recording by using a "big f" ---@ This is all from me for your photo work, I hope you enjoy it. Regards ...Johanes Januar -- SC

Ondrej Plachy PRO

Hi,

thank you everybody for your critique and opinions, your opinions are very valuable for me, I appreciate you time and effort.

There’s only one suggestion I must refuse - extending canvas, cloning, etc. .. is clearly beyond my personal line of digital manipulation. I use only: cropping, global adjustments, local adjustment (doge, burn, structure), grain. Just my personal taste of being honest with my images, I even try to reduce use of local adjustments.

To complete the story of Mr. Pinta, I attach two more images. One is just to show that he still has plenty of light in his eyes in his age and the other one is another my favorite portrait of him – this picture was refused to publish during curation.

Honestly if this picture is not enough to be published, I have nothing to offer to 1x curation process and purchasing 1x membership is waste of money for me.

Thank you

Ondrej

Hello Ondrej,

If you have a look at the frontpage of 1x, I think it’s hard to find any photo that was not altered and edited, in most cases even extremly. Street photography is not a strong focus on this site. Documentary is more likely to be shown tha street, people and children in Africa, India, Cuba.

To be frank, 1x started as a online gallery, with a certain portion of community as a secondary component. The works 1x shows are meant to be sold, kind of decorative photography. Street photography can achieve the same, but not always does.

I had a look at your 500px portfolio. There you show also landscapes and architectural shots. These are more likely to become accepted, while competition is strong, of course.

You have to decide what you pay for, my guess is earnings from street photography are unlikely to pile up. But you found another treasure on 1x, our critique forum. Maybe that’s worth the few dollars you’d have to spend. “Loaning a second pair of eyes” is not easy to find 😊

Best regards,

Mike - SC

P.S.: That all said, I was just published with a street photo. It has a geometry aspect to it, as a graphical element. Maybe that did "the trick".

hmm. very clear and good to know, thank you .

I have re-read the site's FAQ and there is no single hint of this .. or at least I am not getting it.

Even before your comment, Mike, I was decided not to continue with 1x but now its crystal clear.

For me, photography is life, honesty, raw, emotions, moment, being close, being with the subject..

I have absolutely no confidence that I would be good at it, but this is certainly my target where I am trying to go.

(I also often take photos for the the sake of composition, graphical elements, etc. but I consider them "excercises" to help me to learn and develop an eye that would help me to get closer to the ultimate goal.)

>>You have to decide what you pay for, my guess is earnings from street photography are unlikely to pile up. 

no plans to gain money from photography

Thank you all

Ondrej

Hello Ondrej,

I know free members can't post for curation, not sure they can still participate in forums, such as this. So if you like, give it a try - without paying member fees.

And learning is the best part of photography, challenging yourself...

Best regards,

Mike - SC

Hi Ondrej....

I like everything about this image!  I don't feel it's a tight frame....I like that it's a close up!  I especially love the semi-clenched hand on the bench!  His expression, him looking down and the clenching the bench back rest is telling a story....he's concentrating on getting around...paying attention to his every move.  I think it's a wonderful image!

Darlene