OK - WHERE is that waitress!

[Radtech1]

Marcia's nephew is usually downright jolly. I got this one at an outdoor restaurant in Laguna on a VERY BUSY Sunday morning. After hearing "just five more minutes" for the fifth time, he presented me with the oppertunity to get this shot.

http://home.ripway.com/2004-2/78486/Canon/WhereIsThatWaitress.jpg

[Big_B]

Fantastic picture! I used to make exactly the same face 8) :lol:

[The Photo Tuell]

Cute, made me laugh. Slightly distracting background, but not much you can do about it, at least it's out of focus.

[rick barclay]

:lol: Good one.

[geisha]

i love photographing children... their open and honest expressions are priceless.

[karusel]

I like the shot (except for bokeh) it's simple and it works. But I'd rather call it 'There is no spoon.' :mrgreen:

[CDickinson]

I'm sitting here laughing out loud....I've seen that look MANY times with nieces, nephews, friends kids......
Its wonderful!

C

[DAMphyne]

I really enjoy this photo, thanks for showing it.
Dave

[arogop]

I would call it "Waiting for brocolli"

[Joeri]

Nice but too dark eye's.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Cant do anything about the eyes but remove some distracting highlights.

http://xs106.xs.to/xs106/06362/WhereIsThatWaitress1.jpg

[calicokat]

Great shot showing emotion, I like it

[Goran Katic]

good one

[vwyob]

Nice, and great with the fork (does that sound odd?).
Bokeh not to bad for me personaly but I suppose you could layer it less distracting if you could be bothered, not a prob for me because I tend to look at subject matter in these type of shots. I think Terry hit the nail more on the head with the highlight adjustment.
And what a face!!! Looking forward to your next posted shot.

[StewartR]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks a bit soft or even OOF? As you can see from the boy's hair, the DOF is practically zero. I think you've focussed on his hair and left parts of his face (e.g. nose and mouth) OOF. But it's a great expression and I think that makes up for any slight technical deficiencies.

[vwyob]

STOP LOOKING TOO HARD AT TECHNICAL ABNORMALITIES!!!
IF IT WORKS IT WORKS!!! SIMPLE AS THAT! (he says shouting)
The general opinion says it all mate. If you were sending this to some lab to be ripped apart I could understand your concern. The thing that makes a picture great is the fact people love it and WANT to look at it. Its all about image and not the crappy rules that seem to be smothering this wonderful medium.Realise this and you will feel liberated and less confined and will hopefully carry on taking lovely pics such as this.

[tlc]

too sweet.

doesnt look out of focus to me.

[StewartR]

STOP LOOKING TOO HARD AT TECHNICAL ABNORMALITIES!!!
IF IT WORKS IT WORKS!!! SIMPLE AS THAT! (he says shouting)
The general opinion says it all mate. If you were sending this to some lab to be ripped apart I could understand your concern. The thing that makes a picture great is the fact people love it and WANT to look at it. Its all about image and not the crappy rules that seem to be smothering this wonderful medium.Realise this and you will feel liberated and less confined and will hopefully carry on taking lovely pics such as this.C'mon vwyob, lighten up and give us a break. The OP put his photo here specifically because he wanted to know what people think of it. I've seen lots and lots of his posts in Critique Corner, and I believe he isn't just looking for "nice photo" comments; I believe he genuinely wants to know what people think (and if they think the photo could be improved). So I told him. I think it's a lovely photo but I think it would be better if it were sharper. That's my personal opinion. You don't have to agree with it. The OP doesn't have to agree with it. That's OK. The world would be a dull place if we all agreed about everything. But you are out of order if you try to insist that I have to mould my personal opinion to be the same as yours, or that I should not voice it because it is not the same as yours.

[Kakahuates]

nice shot!!

[vwyob]

C'mon vwyob, lighten up and give us a break. The OP put his photo here specifically because he wanted to know what people think of it. I've seen lots and lots of his posts in Critique Corner, and I believe he isn't just looking for "nice photo" comments; I believe he genuinely wants to know what people think (and if they think the photo could be improved). So I told him. I think it's a lovely photo but I think it would be better if it were sharper. That's my personal opinion. You don't have to agree with it. The OP doesn't have to agree with it. That's OK. The world would be a dull place if we all agreed about everything. But you are out of order if you try to insist that I have to mould my personal opinion to be the same as yours, or that I should not voice it because it is not the same as yours.

Your opinion has been noted and of course everyone is entitled to an opinion, as am I. The 'out of order' comment was a little pointless as I have not insisted you do anything.:confused:

Ok (and this is really gonna tick you off) I just looked through both yours and Rads previous images. Speaking as a pro photographer of many years, Rads are technically and content wise, better than yours (in MY personal opinion), so surely common sense says you should learn from rads shots and not crit them??!!!

I am not being drawn into a mindless debate because somebody 'spat the dummy' over something I said. I just tell it as it is. I have made a fair bit of money over the years and sometimes in a hard market. So I feel yes i can crit on someones work and let them know that 'rules' are not the 'B' all and end all. It was meant as constructive. Over the years fads come and go but no matter what happens, a good shot is a good shot. Rad I urge you to listen to what people say, even Stewart because some of the posts I have read of his are indeed valid. But at the end of the day, because you have a interest in it, you know if it is any good. We as photographers look at a shot. If its good some of us say , great! and thats it. Others also say great! but what makes it great? Thus giving birth to the 'rules' in photography. These rules really work, they are the key to many a successful image, but it does not mean you have to adhere to them all the time.

Personally I think Rad has an ability (along with many of the other guys on here) call it an 'eye' for a shot. The simple rawness of this gift is the essence of what I call photography. The gift to capture a moment which appeals to the masses is not something which everyone has. I had to work hard for the first five years of my wedding business back in the 80's. If Rad were (hypothetically) to take the same route then he would achieve the goal far quicker because he has something that I never had in the earlier days. I had to learn the eye. He has it already.

There are many photographers on here that have really caught my eye and rejuvenated my love of it all. I am so passionate about it and have been for so many years now.

If you don't like my comments Stewart then don't read them. Simple. I think rad has a ton of potential as a pro given more time. Its got sod all to do with 'nice comments' If its crap I will say its crap.

If you still feel the urge to have a pop at me then feel free to PM me and leave this thread alone as I can see it going off topic quickly.

Rad? Nice shot mate..sincerely. The majority of the comments are the same, so what does that tell you?


To you

[Radtech1]

STOP LOOKING TOO HARD AT TECHNICAL ABNORMALITIES!!!
IF IT WORKS IT WORKS!!! SIMPLE AS THAT!

The OP put his photo here specifically because he wanted to know what people think of it. I've seen lots and lots of his posts in Critique Corner, and I believe he isn't just looking for "nice photo" comments; I believe he genuinely wants to know what people think (and if they think the photo could be improved).

As the OP, I feel that I am entitled to a comment here.

(in chronological order)

vwyob - you are exactly right.

I had the pleasure of meeting a photography professional recently (he was the judge at a F2F camera club). He put it just about perfectly when he said, "Rules are not meant to be broken - they are meant to be followed. But exceptions will be granted" And he judged accordingly. Even if a shot does not fit the technical perfect mode, it might still be a photograph worth looking at. So, as you said, "IF IT WORKS IT WORKS!!! SIMPLE AS THAT!"

Based on a lot of the comments of my photo here, the missed focus has very little impact on peoples enjoyment of the shot. I am glad to know that, because it tell me that there is a moment there worth noticing. One that can be enjoyed even if the presentation is not technically perfect.

StuartR - you are exactly right.

I really do value the comments, perceptions and suggestions of the members here. Especially when the comments seem to border on minutia. See everyone, I post here because I have a hard time "seeing" my own photos. I took them, and I know what it looked like in my mind when I pressed the shutter button.

In this shot, when I was looking at Marcia's nephew I did not see the blown highlight in the background. Nor do I expect I ever would have. As far as the focus goes- yes, I did try to sharpen it, but I could only do so much before it started to look overcooked. The fact that the focus was seen and comment on, lets me know that the judges will see it also. A valuable piece of information before I submit it for judging.

So to all - yes, here in CC I encourage you to be as nit-picky as you can, to offer solutions if you see them, and as well, to say "the shot works in spite of..." when appropriate.

Rad

[Grain]

What lens did you use for this Rad?

[Radtech1]

What lens did you use for this Rad?


28-135 on a 10d

[SanderH]

Good one! Great emotion. It must have taken HOURS!

[damnfoolman]

I'm nearly 45....and I'm beginning to make that face again!!!!

Lovely photo.

Davey the Grumpy

[midnitejam]

I really do value the comments, perceptions and suggestions of the members here. Especially when the comments seem to border on minutia. See everyone, I post here because I have a hard time "seeing" my own photos. I took them, and I know what it looked like in my mind when I pressed the shutter button.

In this shot, when I was looking at Marcia's nephew I did not see the blown highlight in the background. Nor do I expect I ever would have. As far as the focus goes- yes, I did try to sharpen it, but I could only do so much before it started to look overcooked. The fact that the focus was seen and comment on, lets me know that the judges will see it also. A valuable piece of information before I submit it for judging.

So to all - yes, here in CC I encourage you to be as nit-picky as you can, to offer solutions if you see them, and as well, to say "the shot works in spite of..." when appropriate.

Rad

Nice picture and equally nice is your attitude, Rad. Unlike some who post here, you seem to post for the benefit of improvement rather than for the purpose of receiving applause.

I like the effect on the complexion (babies are supposed to have 'complexions soft as a babie's skin').