Critique me please!

[alexclc]

Hello all.

I've spent some time lurking around, intimidated by the level of expertise around here. Since I'm really trying to step up my game, I'm going to start throwing some of my stuff out here. I need some honest assessment so I can break out of some of my current ruts (like HDRing just about everything).

Time to move on from the self congratulatory flickr atmosphere! Thanks in advance.

http://alextbaum.smugmug.com/photos/1235900973_GLwK2-L.jpg

Alex

[Iguanasan]

Hey, Alex. I'm glad you decided to start posting. I wouldn't be too afraid of us, we don't bite hard :)

I love this image. The wonderful blue sky is awesome. I think, though, the kite should be sharp and in focus. Because you can't see the kite flier's face it's hard to get an emotional contact with him, however, his focus and ours is on the activity of flying the kite and so I think that needs to be highlighted. While the geometry makes it look very cool in the corner like that, I'd like to see a little more room around it to give more a sense of space as well.

[alexclc]

Thanks Iguanason.

Unfortunately, I can't do anything about the kite sharpness. Looked back at exif and can't begin to tell you why I shot this at 2.8. :p

I can create some more space around the dof'd out kite though:

http://alextbaum.smugmug.com/photos/1235954545_y6KTs-L.jpg

[Iguanasan]

Yes, I like this one better for composition. As for the kite sharpness, it's all about getting it right when you take the shot. This is why many photographers stress getting it right in camera and not relying on Photoshop. As you say, there's not much you can do now, but next time take an extra couple of seconds to think about what is important in the image - the subject - and ensure it's displayed appropriately.

You say that you don't know why you were at f2.8 but I can pretty much guarantee that if you look at the images you took off your camera at that time a few shots before this one you wanted narrow depth of field for something. I know because I do it myself from time to time and chide myself for doing it. :o

[Marko]

Welcome Alexclc!
This is a very strong image! well done!
I think the image might have been just that much stronger had the focus been on the kite (as per Iggy's comments), but this still totally works for me.

[thoughton]

I'm new here too :)

I rather like the original - I have a soft spot for square crops, as well as lovely deep blue skies. I don't mind the OOF kite at all, I think it's enough that we know it's there. I find the person to be much more interesting than the kite, although I agree that the framing in the original does feel a little tight around both the kite and the guy. The 2nd one improves that, but now feels a little unbalanced as the guy now seems even closer to the edge of the frame.

An in-focus kite would have been perfectly fine and nice, but at the same time much more conventional. This is a nice take on it.