This is an image I've had for some time and it always catches my eye when reviewing. I like the visual interaction between the tree and the (not staged) person, set against the simple background.
I'd be interested to hear the initial impact this creates, and thoughts once you have had time to absorb.
All viewpoints welcomed (whether from novice, pro or grand master), feel free to vote if you wish to remain anonymous (helps to understand how the community rates).
***update 4/11/19 - I have added an updated version with tree branches removed for comparison..
Hi Alan, This is an eye-catcher. For me, it caught my eye because of the slope as, the very first thing that I thought of was 'is he sliding off?" Of course, a second later it is clear that this isn't the case but you asked about initial impact and mine was interest in what was happening - story.
Second impact is also story-based. It is a strange place for someone to just be standing so, again, I became curious about what was happening. It isn't often that a photo, particularly a minimalist one, has such an interesting story inside.
Even though I'm not a fan of vignette, even that works here because it feels like an old photograph and make me think about who this is.
Story rich and well done!
I like it a lot, Alan! There's a pleasing simplicity and balance to the image. The man facing directly at the viewer adds a note of interest: is he just looking? at us? or beyond us? defiant? angry? what are you looking at? get off my property? His pose is relaxed but he also looks poised to act.
I'd crop the branches at left so nothing quite reaches the frame edge, but that's being super-picky.
Thanks Chris, your super-pickiness is appreciated. I hadn't noticed that and will be sure to take care of it.
This was actually taken at a local park, with an expanse of water between me and the subject. The guy was watching his 2 kids.
I had originally set up to take a long exposure until the family walked into the frame - having the camera on the tripod and the scene framed allowed me to separate myself from the camera and use a wireless remote to fire the trigger at appropriate times.
It's nice when things work out and I learned that setting up in this way is less intrusive than standing pointing the camera at folks - leads for more relaxed images.
That is awesome! Because you totally captured “relaxed but attentive ready to act” in him. Now I think it is even better!