Waiting
Uploaded: January 17, 2013
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
Stephen Shoff January 17, 2013
That is a nice candid. Not sure I care much for the skin tones -- too much orange? #1509570Dale Hardin January 17, 2013
I wanted the warm tones so tweaked the white balance a bit. #10520792Debbie 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! #10521802Jeff E Jensen January 18, 2013
I agree with the others, great candid! #10522040Dale 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. #10522049Rita K. Connell January 18, 2013
oh I like your edit much better, but I see the judges liked your original post. congrats. #10522436Kristin 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. #10523038John 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! #10523308Dale Hardin January 19, 2013
Thanks Kristin, and John, so nice to hear from you and thanks for the kind comments. #10523361Elaine 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! #10524875Peter 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.Beth Spencer January 20, 2013
I like your edit and the first one, not sure which one the best. Congratulations on your EP.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 !! #10529018Dale 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) #10529658Elaine Hessler January 23, 2013
I can't believe how much I've learned too. AND gone out of my comfort zone! #10529991Kristin 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! #10530116Dale Hardin January 23, 2013
As Jeff would say "Yup!" We're all in this together and everyone gets the benefits. How cool is that? #10530142Jeff E Jensen January 23, 2013
All I know is that my leaning ability has greatly improved. . . . #10530229Anthony 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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