Billiard Blues

This image is one of my two favorites from my recent Chicago vacation. I am considering framing a 17 X 22 print of this image on my ipf5000 printer. The image was photographed at Buddy Guy's Blues Bar. C&C definitely welcome.

Adam

MIII, 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM @ 32.0 mm, Tv 1/4, Av 4.0, ISO1000

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I like the framing of the piece and the exposure on the back wall, but the blown out table is a serious eye sore. Also, I'm not sure how well this would enlarge given the amount of noise that is noticeable on the blue shirt.

Its funny you mention the blue shirt. I am very new to PS3 and that is the only area of the image I adjusted via PP. I felt the original image had the blue shirt underexposed. So what I did was open another duplicate image (original was shot in RAW), but I adjusted the new RAW image's Fill Light parameter upward to lighten the shirt. Then I used the Quick Selection Tool on the original image to highlight the guy in the underexposed blue shirt and 'replaced him' with the guy in the brighter blue shirt from the duplicate image, if you catch my drift. Anyway, maybe that's why it appears noisy and maybe i should keep the image as it was with the slightly underexposed blue shirt. I can post the original image out of the camera if you want to see it.

As for the pool table, that stuck me as blown out also, but then I thought it added to the image since the rest of the image is so blusey and dark. I am not good enough in PS3 to tweek that aspect yet.

Hmm. seems like you focused on the wall instead of the people. I think the framing would be perfect if the people/table were in-focus/exposed correctly and you sacrificed some of the exposure on the wall.

The place was always packed when I went there. Never seen the tables actually being played! Hope you enjoyed your time in the Windy City! I would have gone with ISO 800 but I believe you were holding the camera. Even a monopod would have helped! I always carry mine attached to my bag. I agree about the lack of focus but it's the shot you were going for! I'll have to shoot there before they close it up!

Interesting! I can see why you like it, but agree about the blown out table. I love the "mount rushmore" blues guys and that really is the focal point here. I might be tempted to crop about 1/4th of the left side off and bit off the bottom - leaving just a hint of the pool player/table. Just my opinion.

KAC

I actually never really thought about it that much at the time. That is whats most funny about the shot. I was setting up to shoot the performer and just taking some test shots and realized I liked it afterwards!

I will try some other PP on it and cropping, etc. Maybe i can find out how to darken the pool table lights. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

it looks blurry and parts are blown out. definitely not a framer but it's a pretty cool snapshot at least.

mkuriger wrote in post #3774153
it looks blurry and parts are blown out. definitely not a framer but it's a pretty cool snapshot at least.

yea gotta agree with that. the subject is blown out and OOF. too bad it would have been a great compo. You should go back and attempt to get another if possible.

OK. I asked for it so thank you. Assuming its the individual shooting the pool ball that is OOF, I thought that subject being OOF added to it, with the back wall being in focus. Does every part of the photo need to be in focus? Is that not the concept of DOF in general? Just curious I guess.

As I said, I like it as is, but just a suggestion on the cropping.

KAC

If you want the wall to be the subject then the pool table shouldn't be so bright. Or it should be framed differently. To make this image work one of a few minor changes must be made. Its most definitely not a bad shot. Just needs a little tweaking, or even better if possible, to take another shot.

cool. greatly appreciated on all the feedback.

Yea man NP. sorry for the confusion. It really is a nice and very interesting shot, just not ready for framing as is yet.

My misspent youth was spent in a place like that. The photo on the wall is great. The table should be burned.