taken from the car, through the windshield, manual focus (as you can tell). Rotate and crop. I used CS3's noise reduction, then its black and white conversion tool. I added levels and curves to up the contrast. resize. usm.
I'm not crazy about the composition, but I do like how the rain forms a texture over everything.
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Place: 69 out of 146 Avg (all users): 5.6627 Avg (commenters): 5.6667 Avg (participants): 5.8182 Avg (non-participants): 5.5877 Views since voting: 1140 Views during voting: 381 Votes: 169 Comments: 18 Favorites: 1 (view)
Normally I would break down my critique to a review of the technicals, and then a more subjective peice on the impact the photo has on me. This genre of photography, to me though, lends itself more to the latter response rather than looking at the technicals of how the end result was achieved.
So, what works for me? The viewpoint and composition give the viewer a feeling of being alone with just the subject, although seperated from them, both by virtue of having been taking from the comfort of the dry car, by the grainyness, and by the shield of the rain. The rain is as important an element as the sodden running woman, and is very well portrayed. The two lines on the pavement act as a track, and increase the sense of her running through the downpour.
What doesn't work so well? You stated that you are not happy with the composition, and it probably is the relative dullness of the background that contributes to the middle-of-the-pack score (combined, of course, with voters who want everything crystal sharp regardless of genre, intent etc...). One of the comments below remarks on how the Open sign should somehow be more integral to the image, and I would have to agree. As it is, it is just there, yes it draws your attention to the fact that despite available shelter she still chooses to run in the rain, and yes it provides juxtaposition of sorts, but it just doesn't somehow come together in a completely succesfull way.
I am not sure I have been particularly articulate here - at the end of the day it is a photo that I have enjoyed looking at in detail, but not one that engages me as fully as I wish it did.
If you wish to raise any questions - or to disagree with me - do send me a PM.
regards,
Sara.
Edit: There was something about this photo that made me somewhat uncomfortable - I have just realised what it is. The pose of the running woman is a side-on version of the same pose of the running girl fleeing from My Lai, right down to the position of her hand. That I even made that connection makes me uncomfortable, because there is no sense in your photo of someone escaping from horrors unbearable. Strange.
I like the action and the rain. And I like the b&w conversion and contrast. I really feel for her. I think in her situation I would have headed for that open door.
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