Be brutal!

Here's a couple of images I'd love some feedback on. Unfortunately most of the feedback I've received has all been good. Which leaves apparently no room for improvement. Although I'd like to believe in a way, this was so... well... I don't think so! So, take a look, be brutal, and cheers for taking some of your time to help me better my shots!

http://www.projectgran​t.com/Christopher/hold​s/holds.htm

http://www.projectgran​t.com …topher/holds/ex​ample2.htm

Sincerely,
Christopher

PS: more of the same at http://www.projectgran​t.com/Christopher

Christopher:

The first photo is a mess... your focus is way off...I can't make out any detail on the orchestra. In fact, the only thing I can make out is some guy in the audience!

Seriously, I'm an amateur, but I really like this photo. The expression is great and it really seems to want to tell a story. Everything looks right... focus, composition, exposure. The only distraction to me was the gentleman standing on the left.

As for the second shot, it really did nothing for me. It was a bit dark and the color was off for my taste. The leaves and grass all around provide too much distraction, as does the structure the bike is leaning against. It also looks a little out of focus. I see the concept you were going for, but this wasn't the right subject.

You obviously have a good eye! Keep them coming!

tis' true christopher, when others are stumbling over our work with compliments we cannot see what needs to be improved upon.

'brutally' speaking, i would have liked to seen (in the first photo) a more closeup on your main subject, but i like what you've caught in his expression. he looks to be waiting for someone and cannot enjoy himself until they arrive to share the experience with him. ditto what socal69 said about the man on the left being a distraction in this otherwise cool photo.

as for photo no. 2 the first thing that my eye sees is your name, which distracts from the photo. perhaps a tad smaller and a less bright font. and if it were me i'd pull it over to the right where it holds much less prominence than where it does now. but i do like this photo. i think that it may be more interesting from a slightly different angle however, more towards the right, which may also cut down on the amount of dark shadows. still, there is something intriguing about it.

brutal enough for you?

The first shot (man looking away) has great depth of field and focusing. The humour is great. The lady on the left should be out or in. I think if she was included in the focus it would have made a good contrast to the man looking away (since they are about the same age, both standing, but unrelated and uninvolved.) Since a reshoot is impossible, I would crop her out.

The second shot (the orange bike) It looks almost like sepia tone, but it's too orange and there's green present too, so it's not. I like the shadows, but the image is kind of dark. I like the new carrier in contrast to the missing wheel and seat, but the image just doesn't seem to work. Try black and white, and raise some of the tones up to show more of the bike (use curves).

On the first image, I love the man's expression, but there is too much distracting background for me. If you cropped the left third of the image you'd have the same effect with less distraction. I agree that the woman on the left is a major distraction. With the crop this is a great shot.

The second photo does nothing for me. I understand it's night, but the orange cast of the light is no good. The subject also lacks real interest; I can see it's a broken down bicycle, but then there's nothing more to hold my interest.

My two cents worth....