Firefighter Ryan Murray of the Machias Fire Department in Maine.
So let's see, I felt the shot had solid technicals with regard to composition, exposure, and DOF. That the face outline is not razor sharp was a bit by design because of the way his eyes and teeth already pop out, and I was trying to subtly reinforce the smile in light of fire danger - to show the softer side of the person.
For my group, I'm far less interested in what would have made this score better on DPC and much more interested in your emotional reaction to the shot. Does the shot tell you a story? Does it make you curious about the person? Do you wonder what he's smiling about or thinking about?
Thanks.
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Technicals are terrific. I like the composition as a whole. This is one time where I feel the eyes are incorrect as they neither are engaged with the viewer or the enivornment as such it kind of takes you out of the moment. While I like the simple expression, I think it kind of takes aways from the moment.
I also gave it a 5, and I remember why. There was something about his stance and his smile that made it LOOK a bit off to me, almost as if it were a posed picture. His expression just didn't seem to fit with the scene ... burning building in the background and he's sitting there posing for GQ. That was my true emotional response to the image ... whether posed or not really doesn't matter to me, its just that he appeared so out of context with his surroundings that I didn't like it. You'll have to be the judge as to whether that's a reaction to the photo or your subject. ;>P
i gave you a 6 cause to me it looks like you have a firefighter at a fire and your trying to do a portrate if it had been some type of action shot i probably would have scored it higher
I gave this a 5. I generally do not like portraits. He doesn't seem quite in focus, or maybe it just needs sharpening. As for your question, it really doesn't tell me a story or convey any emotion. He is smiling and looking off somewhere with a fire raging behind him. It looks fake and setup, it does not look like a real fireman at a fire.
A funny thing about this photo. I almost find it a bit unsettling that he is smiling as if just joking with a buddy, not at all concerned about the fire behind him. Maybe the fire is under control, or it is just a training mission, but the smile really grabbed my attention. I think it is a good shot and does tell an interesting story, but I just worry that this guy actually set the fire so he could put it out...
On the processing side (sorry I could not resist!!!) I see in your description that you purposefully did not sharpen his face - an interesting idea, but not the direction I would have gone. Your title says "Hot!" clearly describing him (and maybe the fire), but since it is likely about him, I think I would have made him jump off the screen a bit more.
What I liked was the way the flames were framing him so well. I also like the way it's sort of quietly muted, not oversaturated or overbright - very much in keeping with the smokey atmosphere at a fire. The only nit would be the focus on his face. But I still think it's quite a nice environmental portrait and he has a great smile.
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