Bob the Photographer

[mjmcgarry]

This is a portrait of a co-worker of mine, Bob. We brought our cameras to work and took some pictures during lunch at Barney Allis Plaza.

When Bob was building a deck onto his house, we called him Bob the Builder. Here, he is taking a picture with his Minolta 35mm SLR.

http://www.pbase.com/image/5403232

Here is the collection.

http://www.pbase.com/mjmcgarry/barney_allis_plaza

NOTE: This photograph Bob the Photographer along with Fountain Standing Still and Owl were taken with my Tiffen 2X Telephoto Converter (43mm).

Please critique Bob the Photographer and any other pic from this gallery

[henkbos]

Michael,

It totally depend what you want to achieve with these pitures. Is there a message or they are just nice? None of these pictures really inspired me to clik for the enlargement. I think some fancy cropping (trees) and some processing will enhance some of the pictures.

[mjmcgarry]

Of the collection, I thought I captured a good portrait of Bob. That is the focus of this critique.

[Leighow]

MICHAEL

I will stick to the portrait of Bob. First, I am not sure that is a "portrait", in that the Camera and the watch arrive on the scene, and we really see them and not Bob's character.

But, excluding those concerns, and in the sense of the extensive discussion that we all had of your Feather Band Hat post, this shot is orders of magnitude better than its predecessor:

*The light is better.
*The framing is better.
*The skin tones and shirt colors are more hamonious, and
*there is less litter.

A great improvement. Too bad it was not a portrait a la Eland's crop of Don Ellis's buddy, then you would have been a rich man. You are improving. Fast!

HOWIE

PS: I agree with Henk. The sun-roof boards do not great shots make. Please memorize the Kodak tips and really scout out situations that will allow you to build the mass critical to a great picture. Too tough ?! Two guys ! No way.

[mjmcgarry]

Thank you for your comments Howie.

I was originally discouraged by Henk's comment because I took it as none of the pictures were worth critique. I soon realized I should not have put the second link in the original post since it distracted from what I wanted people to examine.

I did not post in this discussion group simply for kudos. Any comments that I may consider for the next picture are welcome.

To answer Henks's question: there is no story. This was simply a short walk from our office and I wanted to practice taking pictures. I do find candid pictures of other people to be more self satisfying than abstract or scenic pictures.