Are the purple pants to distracting?

I've been invited into an exhibition about Youth and i'm considering using this image. I love the focus and the intense stare from the eye.

My only concern is are the purple pants just to damned distracting?

What do you think?

Cheers

IMAGE LINK: http://www.uploadhouse​.com ….php?id=7174631​&showlnk=0

By posing the question, even in the title, you're setting your picture up for people to be distracted by the trousers.

well that is what I wanted to know...

Well then; a partial answer would be: If you ask people "Do the trousers distract you?", they'll distract them.

Consider that you felt the need to ask other people if the trousers distract them, which probably means that they distracted you, without being asked that specific question.

Yes they are distracting as is the red cup, the patterned couch, the corrugated steel background and the junk at camera right rear. I won't even touch the overexposure issue.

When one studies photography most instructors at some point early in the study will stress the importance of simplicity. Avoid clutter, bright colors, bold patterns, and backgrounds that attract the eyes. Another thing that instructors teach is that anything close to the camera will be large and obtrusive.

Benji

If you have others you are considering, take a closer look at them.
This photo doesn't really say much.....you asked.

I wouldn't say the pants are really distracting....I mean from what?

I think the purple adds liveliness of youth

I don't really mind the purple pants because most of the picture seems to have a purple feel to it, everything is a coldish blue/purple. But, your main point is the eyes in this picture, and I'd have to disagree only because you can only clearly see one eye. If you're looking for that powerful stare, to me, it's kinda hard to get across when only one eye is powerful, and the other is covered with hair and not clearly visible. I definitely like the concept however, I would just see if you have any others that may work better.

since you mentioned it...yes they are the first thing my eyes were drawn to.

Benji wrote in post #11421955
Yes they are distracting as is the red cup, the patterned couch, the corrugated steel background and the junk at camera right rear. I won't even touch the overexposure issue.

When one studies photography most instructors at some point early in the study will stress the importance of simplicity. Avoid clutter, bright colors, bold patterns, and backgrounds that attract the eyes. Another thing that instructors teach is that anything close to the camera will be large and obtrusive.

Benji

Agree...and this photo doesn't portray "youth" to me?

There are some interesting subtleties in this image. Space on the left, clutter on the right, Dark space on the left, well lit but organized clutter on the right. And who is this cherub who hides behind her cup centered in the frame? The trousers are a nice lead into the cup, the blond mop, and the corrugated backdrop. I think this is a nice image as is. It has a story.

that feels more like "underage drinking" or "college party-goer" to me..especially because those red dixie cups are pretty much the symbol for alcohol at highschool/college parties and for underage drinking.

EDIT: Looking at it now I'm getting a bit of a cult initiation feeling as well...don't drink the kool aid!

Welcome to the forum. To answer your question - Yes! Very much so. But distraction from the rest of the image may be a good thing.

But please don't let the harsh critiques dissuade you from shooting and posting more. It's all part of learning and improving.

You could try selectively desaturating parts of the image, except for what you want focus on. Maybe her eyes and head/hear, and the red cup.