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Waiting

© Dale Hardin

Waiting

Uploaded: January 17, 2013

Description

This is one of my favorite candids from Wellington, NZ. Snapped this young man waiting for a friend.

Cropped and multiply blended with a self customized Topaz buzz filter, selective screen blends, edge enhancement, and other tweaks in PSE.

Shutter Speed: 1/2500.00 F-stop: f/4.5
Focal Length: 16.00

Exif: F Number: 4.5, Exposure Bias Value: -0.30, ExposureTime: 1/2500 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 16.00 mm, Model: SLT-A77V

Comments

Stephen Shoff January 17, 2013

That is a nice candid. Not sure I care much for the skin tones -- too much orange? #1509570

Dale Hardin January 17, 2013

I wanted the warm tones so tweaked the white balance a bit. #10520792

Debbie E. Payne January 18, 2013

I like it, Dale. It is a good candid and gives the viewer a glimpse of what NZ is like. I agree that it is a tad orange but that is totally your call. Good title, too! #10521802

Jeff E Jensen January 18, 2013

I agree with the others, great candid! #10522040

Dale Hardin January 18, 2013

You'll notice that I added a buzz filter to this because it is not supposed to be "as is" but a bit more in the artistic genre. But always know to listen to the Phellos, so here he is with a different complexion. #10522049

Rita K. Connell level-classic January 18, 2013

oh I like your edit much better, but I see the judges liked your original post. congrats. #10522436

Kristin Duff January 19, 2013

I like the first post the best and congrats on EP. I really like the richness of all the tones...I don't get that on the second one. #10523038

John Connolly January 19, 2013

I like the overall feel of the first image Dale! Your treatment here, and the general warm tones are spot on! Nice work! #10523308

Dale Hardin January 19, 2013

Thanks Kristin, and John, so nice to hear from you and thanks for the kind comments. #10523361

Elaine Hessler January 20, 2013

I like the first edit too. Question. Would it help to focus on the young man by cropping the patio on top off? Just to the tip of the circular sign on the left. It may be me, but I am having trouble focusing in on him-my eyes are wandering a bit....

I wish I were there.... #10524526

Dale Hardin January 20, 2013

Thanks Elaine. Your crop idea has merit but this image was heavily cropped already and the reason I cropped as I did was to add a bit more to his isolation and "perhaps" disappointment of waiting in vain.

I've posted your crop and I like it also, but it sends a slightly different message albeit, not a bad one, just different. #10524605

Brandi K. Mills January 20, 2013

I love the artsy feel. It looks likes a painting! Very cool! #10524875

Peter W. Marks January 20, 2013

I so much prefer the original colors Dale and like this so very much. Not everything in photography has to be totally photo-realistic and that warmer color sets a mood that doesn't come across in the adjusted one.
I also wouldn't want to make the crop suggested. Story telling is probably my forte and what I am seeing here is by having the young man in the mid-ground gazing out of the frame whilst all the other peoeple have their backs turned, ignoring him, there is very much a story. Note the sad expression on his face, his beer glass and jug half empty and yet he still has a fading hope that the girl he first met and chatted with on the bus this morning will follow up with her promise to meet him at Murphy's bar on her way home from work. Sadly, we don't know his name but by not cropping we do have the name of the rendezvous, the place of broken dreams.
Oh, by the way, her name is Julie and another time, another place, that was me! #10524883

Beth Spencer January 20, 2013

I like your edit and the first one, not sure which one the best. Congratulations on your EP.
I do not have Topaz so what is a Buzz filter and what is an edge enhancement? #10524926

Dale Hardin January 20, 2013

Thank you Brandi.That was the point to the added filtering. I wanted to make it less realistic and more symbolic.

Peter, thanks very much. Your explanation and story fit what I had in mind to a T. For me, that means the image was a success.

Thanks Beth. I did use the Topaz buzz filter but it is a bit over board for me, so I've modified it to suit the way I wanted it to look. Edge enhancement means the edges of object have a slight outline to them, as if it was drawn with a pen and colors filled in later.

This can be done in a number of ways, such as using another filter and blending it, but in this case I simply made the modification within the buzz filter itself. #10525153

Elaine Hessler January 21, 2013

I kinda feel sorry for the guy now...

I think I like the original crop now that I see it both ways. Thanks for posting. #10526767

Joan E. Hoffman January 21, 2013

Like both the original and the natural equally as much Dale.... congrats on the pick. I really like the buzz filter... as I tend to like "artsy" portrayals quite a lot in certain circumstances... and this is one. Everytime I "go to lunch" and arrive first... I spend the interval wondering if we communicated about the restaurant clearly enough... and why didn't I bring my cell in case there is a problem... this projects all of that. Love the outdoor patio... great job!

#10526906

Dale Hardin January 21, 2013

Thanks Elaine.

Joan, so good to hear from you again. Missed you and thanks for the nice comments. #10527037

Barbara Mason January 23, 2013

Wow found this very informative and interesting Dale, thanks to yourself and all contributors. Great to see this type of feedback !! #10529018

Dale Hardin January 23, 2013

Thank you Barbara. The reason for this type feedback is the BP club that we belong to. It is called the Phello Photographers and can be found on BP.

It is a critique club and I wish there were more like it. Our leaning curve has shot up since taking part and we've all become fast friends. #10529639

Dale Hardin January 23, 2013

OOPS! I meant "learning" curve. :o) #10529658

Elaine Hessler January 23, 2013

I can't believe how much I've learned too. AND gone out of my comfort zone! #10529991

Kristin Duff January 23, 2013

way way way outta my comfort zone...but it is such a good thing. all I ever used my computer for was emails and flight awards! And my kids set that up for me! #10530116

Dale Hardin January 23, 2013

As Jeff would say "Yup!" We're all in this together and everyone gets the benefits. How cool is that? #10530142

Jeff E Jensen January 23, 2013

All I know is that my leaning ability has greatly improved. . . . #10530229

Anthony L. Mancuso January 23, 2013

Great image Dale..love the treatment and I also prefer the original tonality.

I have to vote for the cropped version though....I hear what Peter is saying but I think leaving the name of the establishment out allows the viewer to possibly relate to the image on a more personal level than with the name in there. Other examples of what I'm referring to can be seen in advertising when people in commercials or print ads are shown from behind or in silhouette so the target audience can more easily put themselves in the ad. Also, whenever I have put a house up for sale the real esate agents have always recommended removing family photos so potential buyers can envision the house as their future home and not somebody else's current one.
#10530519

Dale Hardin January 23, 2013

Thank you Tony. I understand what you are saying about the image with less atmosphere and have to agree when it comes to advertising. I did a lot of that in years past and always made sure to direct the reader where I wanted him to go.

However, I do believe this is different because I was trying to convey his feeling of being left alone in the large scheme of things, while waiting for someone that may or may not show.

If the cropping went to the next lever, AE: cropped to just show him, then the picture would not convey that message. A partial crop also reduced the message impact but in a lesser way. #10530906


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