Black & White Photography Photo Critique
Piano and Hands
by Mark Kreider
Views: 1635
Category: Black & White Photography
Canon PowerShot A480
Lens: Wide: 20-30mm
ISO: 100
Flash: None
Tripod: Yes
Description: I sought to capture the motion of one playing the piano. This photograph, to me, also see all >
I sought to capture the motion of one playing the piano. This photograph, to me, also seems to have an element of mystery or intrigue, maybe because the blurred hands have a ghostly quality to them.
Exposure: 2 seconds
Apeture: f/8
Photo Critique Summary
Subject of photo
10
Composition & Perspective
9
Focus
8
Use of camera, exposure & speed
10
Color & Lighting
9
Depth of field
8
Overall Rating
9.0
GuruShots Pro
Subject of photo:
10
This is a classic subject with lots of references from art to photography.
Composition & Perspective:
9
The point of view is very classic for such a subject. The use of lens is accurate and emphasis the drama of playing the piano, the composition is centered and the diagonal lines of the piano keys helping the eye to reach the inner center part of the picture. I have one thing that to me is taking to much attention which I would retouch or try to eliminate it with light - the black area above hands which touching the hand movement in vertical way.
Focus:
8
The focus point is fine, it is nice that the hands a reaching towards the focus point. it is emphasizing the drama in the picture
Use of camera, exposure & speed:
10
The exposure is correct, you have nice dark blacks up to very nice whites without any info loss. The use of speed is great choice which create the drama and took my attention to the subject of the picture. The picture proportions are OK, you should try to narrow the picture a bit more, so the drama will be emphasize, I would have cut the first white piano key from the bottom, it will create more dramatic narrow picture
Color & Lighting:
9
B&W is correct use for such subject. since the lighting is from above, all scene looks natural and worm. The light reflections on the piano keys are very nice and the light is taking the viewer to the important parts in the picture, hands a lit nicely and the shadows created from the hands are correct is showing the this are real hands and not just a ghostly ones.
Depth of field:
8
Since you used available light and quite open aperture, depth of field is very narrow, it took the eye to the important parts and eliminate the background
How to improve your photo
1.
Hi Mark
You have made a classic nice shot with all the correct decisions, I think you should try to use a small flash from behind in an angle which will emphasize the hands shape and create part of the hands sharp to create a bigger impression of the movement. The flash should be 2 stops under, so the sharp parts will be just a hint!
2.
Nothing to add
3.
Nothing to add
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