Golden Boy

[in Japan]

I took this photo on a recent trip to Bangkok and was curious what others thought of it. I'm a complete newbie, so any comment would be greatly appreciated. I really dig this site and feel that I have improved as a photographer just by reading your comments and seeing your imaginative pics.

Thank you in advance

[Pekka]

Very good, thanks for posting I would perhaps have slanted the camera very slightly to the left (even out and straighten roof tops) or then tilted it heavily if straight horizon was not possible.

The image has a good "feel" to it and composition is balanced. Well done! Any more?

[edsarkiss]

great idea ... nice photo. my suggestions:

- always check for crookedness before you press the shutter. you can use the frame edges or AF boxes as linear references
- i'd like to see this with a slightly wider aperture -- i think a little more blurring of the background would yield a stronger photo. the contrast between the statue (sharp, yellow, bright) and the background (blurred, colorful buildings) is the strength of the shot.

[in Japan]

Thank you Pekka and edsarkiss for your comments and suggestions. I am often confused about what should be level in a photo in regard to the main subject and its relationship to the background. But with this particular photo, I totally agree those rooftops should be level. Is it possible to straigten them out with post-processing software?

[Pekka]

Thank you Pekka and edsarkiss for your comments and suggestions. I am often confused about what should be level in a photo in regard to the main subject and its relationship to the background. But with this particular photo, I totally agree those rooftops should be level. Is it possible to straigten them out with post-processing software?

In Photoshop, select measure tool (the one which looks like a ruler) and draw a line that follows the rooftop (one short line, just showing the direction of slant you have). Then go to rotate command where you have now the correct amount of degrees already set when you select "arbitrary" rotation method.

But in your photo this would not probably make it better because the head slants to the right as soon as roof is straight. Next time pay attention to your position in relation to both objects (subject and background) and find a position which makes both look "natural". Or else make some art and tilt lot more...