The Magician

[rick barclay]

Thought I'd try a portrait of my friend, Step, doing his Magick Ring trick.
I was looking to create a mood of intensity in the artist. Could I have your
opinions, please? Thanks.

http://flashdaddee.com/Magick_a.jpg

[Sailor Don]

Rick,

Good photo. Nice focus of attention on the rings. The other (optical) focus is good also. :)

I hope you don't mind that I did a quick modification to see about improving the background. I think the reflected(?) light in the background of the original shot, takes some of the attention away from the magician and the magick rings.

http://users3.ev1.net/~sailord/Magick_a.jpg

[stopbath]

Fairly decent, but yes the background is distracting. Looks like a shop or something in the back ground... Also the focus is on the face not the trick. I think the trick (in progress or just completed) would be the focus of most people watching. If you want more focus on the eyes, the trick should be a bit more blurry (to show your intention more.)

Also, both subjects (the face and the trick) are right up to the border (even cropping off the top of Steps head).

Since most kids love magic, why not shoot the shot from a kids point of view. Have Step perform for you while you're sitting on the floor. Get the rings and his face closer together. A wide angle lens might not work, but it might give you a great effect (the magic trick becomes larger than life)

Also, a mysterious back ground might work wonders (full moon through oak trees and clouds, fog or mist rolling down stairs, a long empty hallway...)

Also, what about the "Ta-da" of the trick? He seems rather static.

Perhaps a longer exposure to through some blurryness into the hands (the hands are quicker than the eye.)

Just a few ideas...

[rick barclay]

Not at all, Sailor. The background can easily be altered to filter out the distractions. Actually, the point of this picture is that this is a portrait of Step, and the magic trick is secondary, because it is a rather boring looking trick.
But the thing that really struck me on reviewing this image is that it was
taken with a Digital Rebel and shot in full auto mode last January, not even
one month after I bought the camera. It just made me think what an exceptional camera the Digital Rebel is.

You opinions are most welcome and appreciated. I plan on entering some
contests in the future and your critques hopefully will make my entries
more competitive. Thanks again.