crowd scene

[elou31]

here are a couple of shots from crowds

please tell me what you think

ISO 1600 18, 1/15 XTI

[TLeeK]

my humble opinion is that they are both OOF and the second has too much sky.

[deathcake]

Is that f/18?

The softness is not a focus issue then, but motion blur. Can't really get sharp images at 1/15sec without a tripod. You did well to show the size of the crowd, but the action is all happening to the left of the frame in both shots. A lot of the people in the crowd are disinterested, looking to the side or down. I'd focus on the people who are excited, even if it's less people in the frame, and use wider apertures and faster shutter speed.

[photoguy6405]

Honestly? They do nothing for me. My eye wanders because there is no focal point in either shot. Nothing to draw my attention.