Wrong Side of the Bed

[cnhoffma]

I took this recently and I'd really like some dissecting on it. Please give me any critiques or comments. I'm also very interesting in what the first impression you got from this photo was.

P.S. The slight blue tone to the photo was intentional. Assume all elements of the photo were intentional.

[-Douglas-]

1st impressions: piggy-toes or cold feet
2nd thoughts: distracting blur in lower left corner
3rd thoughts: I wonder what the intended message was here, other than the title.

[cnhoffma]

1st impressions: piggy-toes or cold feet
2nd thoughts: distracting blur in lower left corner
3rd thoughts: I wonder what the intended message was here, other than the title.

Thanks DognBone. I want to get a few more responses before explaining this picture.

[rsagusti]

First Impression - Yucky feet (I'm not a fan)
Second Impressions - the feet are too centered, I wish that it followed the rule of thirds more for a more interesting composition. Its also pretty dark (aside from the blue tones) blue tones just give me the "COLD" feeling. I think the Vignetting is too heavy.

[-Douglas-]

^^^ --your welcome! have patience though, some times it takes awhile :cool:

[cnhoffma]

First Impression - Yucky feet (I'm not a fan)
Second Impressions - the feet are too centered, I wish that it followed the rule of thirds more for a more interesting composition. Its also pretty dark (aside from the blue tones) blue tones just give me the "COLD" feeling. I think the Vignetting is too heavy.

Good point about the feet being too centered. Composing the camera shot while not being able to see where the subject will be exactly can be tricky.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Phrasikleia]

The composition is too centered, and the feet are not nice to look at, not even in a way that turns ugliness into visual fascination. Whatever your concept was is not clear. I don't come away from the photo feeling as though I saw something that is either unexpected or rewarding--the two payoffs that usually work best in a photo.

[cnhoffma]

1st impressions: piggy-toes or cold feet
2nd thoughts: distracting blur in lower left corner
3rd thoughts: I wonder what the intended message was here, other than the title.

Cold was part of my intent so I'm glad that was conveyed.

First Impression - Yucky feet (I'm not a fan)
Second Impressions - the feet are too centered, I wish that it followed the rule of thirds more for a more interesting composition. Its also pretty dark (aside from the blue tones) blue tones just give me the "COLD" feeling. I think the Vignetting is too heavy.

Composition here wasn't very strong. I tried re-cropping the picture to use the rule of thirds, but the blurred comforter in the lower left starts to take over the image.

I'm surprised you think the vignetting is too heavy. I tried to keep it very subtle. It could be that my monitor at home sucks.

The composition is too centered, and the feet are not nice to look at, not even in a way that turns ugliness into visual fascination. Whatever your concept was is not clear. I don't come away from the photo feeling as though I saw something that is either unexpected or rewarding--the two payoffs that usually work best in a photo.

Feet aren't that appealing, but the intent of having the subject turned around improper was part of the intent.

***

Thanks for the critiques. I hardly ever get useful critiques, I'm practically starved for useful feedback.

I wanted to convey a sense of "backwards-ness" and and a cold/stark feeling. It seems like my PP did a good enough job of make it feel cold, but the feet seemed to be not too pleasant, even though the picture wasn't supposed to be pleasant. I suppose next I try this, maybe I should try using something other than my feet as well as compose the image better and not too centered. Any other suggestions?

[-Douglas-]

:lol: Wrong END of bed for title maybe? :lol:

"Feet aren't that appealing,"

Depends on composition !

[cnhoffma]

:lol: Wrong END of bed for title maybe? :lol:

"Feet aren't that appealing,"

Depends on composition !

If I re-did this, I should stick with feet then?

[-Douglas-]

I would say go ahead and stick with your concept, experiment. I don't think this particular image conveys to the viewer your message.

[Flo]

The feet just don't add an appealing aspect to the photo as it is...what if they were more "rumpled"? Like one would do if he/she were to stretch their legs and and relax? This just looks like the person is sitting there waiting for the camera to click;)

How about the reverse.the head under covers at the foot of the bed?

[scrumpy]

He looks very dead to me :cry:

[cnhoffma]

He looks very dead to me :cry:

He is me. I guess that's good since I am going for a more gloomy feel.

[Phrasikleia]

He is me. I guess that's good since I am going for a more gloomy feel.

The lighting doesn't say "gloomy" to me. And the fleece pajamas and wooden headboard don't say "cold/stark." If it were more of an institutional setting, complete with utilitarian metal headboard, thin hospital gown, and dim, artificial light, then maybe I'd get those impressions.

[cnhoffma]

The lighting doesn't say "gloomy" to me. And the fleece pajamas and wooden headboard don't say "cold/stark." If it were more of an institutional setting, complete with utilitarian metal headboard, thin hospital gown, and dim, artificial light, then maybe I'd get those impressions.

Yes that's a good point, but that's a bit more extreme than what I want. Plus there's a big question of feasibility. This photo really started because I found out that I was getting laid off :(

[Phrasikleia]

Yes that's a good point, but that's a bit more extreme than what I want. Plus there's a big question of feasibility. This photo really started because I found out that I was getting laid off :(

Very sorry to hear that. :(

I'm sure you'll be able to find some more feasible way of expressing the mood you want. Regardless, photography is often just the right diversion to escape gloominess. :)

[cnhoffma]

Very sorry to hear that. :(

I'm sure you'll be able to find some more feasible way of expressing the mood you want. Regardless, photography is often just the right diversion to escape gloominess. :)

Yes it is, even if you are taking pictures of gloominess. Funny how that works out.