Passing By

[Iguanasan]

Some of you may recognize this one. It's a re-edit of a shot I took a few years ago. I thought it would be fun to post it here again and get some feedback from everyone. Please critique away. All comments appreciated. Also, just for fun, give it a rating from 1 to 10 where

1 = Poor: Image may have significant technical defects or may fall short in image content as it relates to the category of "Street Photography"
5 = Good: Solid composition & content. No obvious technical flaws. Subject and image lack any "Wow" factor.
10 = Exceptional: A top tier image that is of the highest quality. Outstanding in every respect and has a factor of "je ne sais quoi".

I'm just curious on how others would see this image.

20375

[theantiquetiger]

I don't know why I didn't see this earlier.

It is a great image and great eye, but it is a little soft. The mannequins are awesome and make the image. I would have liked to seen the two guys a little further apart, maybe taken about 2 seconds earlier.

As for your rankings, I guess I would rank it a 5, but not the 5 you listed above. It has the WOW factor but has technical flaw of being soft. The composition is a little off just because I feel the guys are just a tad too close to each other. The composition of the window itself is perfect.

[Runmonty]

I had missed this one too. I like it. Comp is very good. Subject placement very good. Colours are excellent. Given their placement in the frame, I think I would prefer it if both men were walking in the same direction. To work better with the 1 man walking in the opposite direction I think he needs more detachment from the other guy so as to create more tension. Does that make sense? If the 2 men were a bit more interesting in themselves I would rate it higher

As a street photo ....7.5 but only because I am a hard arse

[Marko]

I like the comp, story, colour - I think a tad more space between the men as AT suggested would have worked a wee bit better for me. 7/10 for me.

[Iguanasan]

I appreciate the feedback, thanks! Your comments put it right where I would expect it to fit in. It's good to have some reasonable feedback on these things so one can confirm that they are not completely crazy.

I'll give you the background since you are likely curious. After last year's foray into my local photography club's contest I decided I wasn't going to bother with it any more because the judging seemed completely off to me and so I didn't see the point. This year, one of my photo friends at the club had seen this particular image and felt that I really should put this one in the contest as he really liked it. So, I mostly just entered it for him.

You can see the results from the three judges below. Note that the description for Judge "A" was the default description for the score he/she selected. The judges were given a sheet with each score had a pre-defined description and rather than provide feedback, Judge "A" just copied and pasted that pre-canned description.

I offer this up for discussion purposes. It's not causing me any grief or concern but I wanted to use it as a good learning experience for others.

20410

[Runmonty]

Quite a variety of scores there. I dont think "A" gets street photography.

Don't get me started on judging of photo competitions. I know it can be hard and somewhat subjective, but sometimes it is just totally wrong

[Marko]

RM echoes my thoughts as well.... the 3 is just stoopid.

[Runmonty]

I wonder if the photo was in B & W whether judge A might take it more seriously.

The reason I say this, and just while I am having a bit of a rant. It has been quite frustrating to see a trend that in street photography that if it is to be considered somehow authentic or genuine it must be black and white. Now I just love black and white (in its place), but all street photography doesn't have to be B & W just for the sake of it. It's almost as if, if doesn't look like like Cartier-Bresson or Doisneau it doesn't belong in the genre.

I told you not to get me started :laughing:

[Jim Scrimger]

First comment, Judge "A" should not be judging. I think it is excellent street photography, the timing of the walking men is "dead on" and the background couldn't be better. I think Runmonty's comment is a very perceptive one - some purists are simply too pure. A street shot does not have to be a gritty, 400ASA Tri-X image to qualify. To me it would work in B&W because it is so well done, but I think the colour makes it even more interesting.

[ewaizel]

I write this before reading other comments that may influence my opinion.

I like the color of the window lights. They create contrast.
From a composition point of view, I don't like the two subjects being too close. IMO, you should have taken the shot 1 or 2 seconds before to create more space between them.
It is somehow interesting (sorry).
I will give is a 7.5.
I'm sure you prefer honest opinions instead of people just saying all is great.

[Iguanasan]

Yes, ewaizel, I do indeed prefer honest opinions. Thanks!

[asnow]

I can't believe the comment by Judge A that this this is just a snapshot. It's obvious to me that you spent some time thinking about this shot and waiting for the decisive moment when the two men were positioned in the picture. The men are centered perfectly in the door behind and I get that illusion of somebody walking into a mirror. I also like the colours in the windows. Most street photography has tended to be B&W, however colour really works for me in this pic.

[Iguanasan]

Thanks, asnow.