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Tomas Lissåker's picture

Specific feedback, no faces?

Hi,
I'm new to the group and I'm looking for some specific feed regarding these images.
Do you think they work even though you can't see the faces of the climber?

Grateful for any thoughts.

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5 Comments

I think they could work in conjunction with photos where you can see the faces. Maybe in a sort of gallery. I don't think that all is a loss in the way of them being by them selves but it would need a very specific purpose. Like something focusing more on the climbing rather than the climber but I don't know. I do think the gallery thing would be a sure thing though

Hey Tomas,

I think I agree with Tom. They would work nicely as a set but as standalone images, the face needs to be more visible. Never that easy with climbers, unfortunately!

Having climbed myself, and shooting a lot of mountain biking where you don't see the actual face... i dont think you need to see the face...BUT make it clear to see where the subject is looking.

For example on the second photo the subject is looking to the right into the shadows...you lose where they are going or looking. If the hold they are headed for or something is visible to tell the story of where they want to go etc... In the first i would like to see more above the hands to know what are they looking for...

thats my .02

Thank you, that is a very good point, seeing where the climber is going. I will work in that the next time I'm at the wall!

I shoot a crap load of climbing photography and I've done some for USAC also. Seeing faces is awesome because you get to see the "try hard" face they are making. If the angles are weird (which they normally are) then try going wider, take a step back or zoom out a little. Look at the route and see where your climber is going and imagine where their next move is going to be and how their body will be positioned. Then stand where their body will be open and facing you. If you can't get a good face shot try and get most of the route in the picture or find some foreground to play with. I love the edit you went with, its soft and pleasing to the eye.