Ballerina

[Greg McCary]

A neighboping county is holding a photo contest through next month. You have to submit a picture of anything in the county. It's wide open to subject matter, anything goes. There ain't much to Polk county. But I found this ballerina this morning. I got a couple more I may share after PPing. Your thoughts are welcome
Greg

[Seb]

That's an interesting take but your picture seems to lack contrast and definition straight like it is. The white (I assume) wall looks light grey and I don't see that much details in the bricks. How was it lit?

Seb

[Greg McCary]

I see what you mean Seb. Is this better?

[Seb]

Definitely, this second version is much more impactful.

good job

Seb

[Xia_Ke]

Interesting subject Greg but, I can't help feeling like it's missing something. Do you have any shots showing more of the wall or even the whole building?

[Didache]

Greg - it's a competent image as I would expect from your good self. I agree with Xia Ke though that if it's a competition entry it needs something more. It looks fine, but nothing to give it any zip. I would be inclined to straighten the bricks top and bottom too - my eyes kept going there.

Cheers
Mike

[Greg McCary]

Seb, Xia_Ke, Mike, Thanks, I agree it could use another element. I'll keep at it. The contest deadline is Aug 1. This is in a square in the middle of town in an area that's not much to look at otherwise. Thanks again for your critiques.

[CLKunst]

I have a suggestion for this shot. First of all, it's not really your work is it? It's someone else's painting and your photo really only just frames it, nothing new to add. I would approach a local ballet/dance class (County Community Center?) and see if anyone would consent to posing in front of the painting in a similar pose or if not a full on portrait even a shadow/silhouette of a dancer cast on the wall in scale next to the painting. You could even set it up at night and you could be a partner dancer shadow by casting your own shadow up onto the wall next to the ballerina. THEN you've got a picture that comments on your artistic interpretation of the county for submission.

[readingr]

Greg,

I don't tend to enter competitions and therefore take this into consideration when reading this.

What is the goal of the competition? Is it to get a photograph that would be used for tourism...

Then if so Is this photo a representative of the county and is there something better that could be added or a different photo put you in a better position to win? I do like CL's ideas on using this photo.

As the photo stands I think the others have critiqued it and I have nothing to add.

Roger

[PrevailingConditions]

I was going to suggest what C.L. said about having a real ballerina in the shot although she offered more elaboration than I would have . That said, if this is for tourism, you should find that shot that really defines the area. This could be painted onto a wall anywhere in the world, unless this is particularly notable for the area. Is this for a famous ballet studio? What's famous about it? What's Polk county known for?

PC

[Greg McCary]

I have a suggestion for this shot. First of all, it's not really your work is it? It's someone else's painting and your photo really only just frames it, nothing new to add. I would approach a local ballet/dance class (County Community Center?) and see if anyone would consent to posing in front of the painting in a similar pose or if not a full on portrait even a shadow/silhouette of a dancer cast on the wall in scale next to the painting. You could even set it up at night and you could be a partner dancer shadow by casting your own shadow up onto the wall next to the ballerina. THEN you've got a picture that comments on your artistic interpretation of the county for submission.

My wifes thoughts too. The model is a good idea. I thought of this more as a landmark since figures like these are all over the downtown area. The contest is wide open to subject matter but is to help promote tourism. So my thinking was the photo will probably wind up on the counties web site or in a broucher. The statue is in a forgetten area of town and I was hoping no one else covers it. But there is not much in Polk County to really peak any intrest. I hope to return and have until mid July. The contest runs through August but I am to have back surgery in July. Thanks for your help. I will look for a model...

[Greg McCary]

I was going to suggest what C.L. said about having a real ballerina in the shot although she offered more elaboration than I would have . That said, if this is for tourism, you should find that shot that really defines the area. This could be painted onto a wall anywhere in the world, unless this is particularly notable for the area. Is this for a famous ballet studio? What's famous about it? What's Polk county known for?

PC

Good ideas PC. These figures are on a wall that is about 50ft. long. What would you think of a Pano of the whole wall?

[livin4lax09]

c.l. hit the nail right on the head. it's frustrating when people are praised for taking a photo of a painting or graffiti. Really all you are doing is documenting another person's work. They put the time and effort into it, and all you are doing is standing there and taking a photo of it and people praise the photographer because the original art looks nice.

Greg, that is not aimed at you, nor anyone here, I've just seen too many amateurs praise people for things like this when they don't deserve any of the credit for it. If you somehow find a way to incorporate something new into the image or give it a whole new perspective, somehow making the sheer act of photographing it change it into a completely different and new image, THEN it turns into something you should be able to claim credit for. But a dead-on shot does nothing except frustrate me. I'm done ranting.

I agree with the previous comments about the dancers. Good luck with it greg!

[Greg McCary]

c.l. hit the nail right on the head. it's frustrating when people are praised for taking a photo of a painting or graffiti. Really all you are doing is documenting another person's work. They put the time and effort into it, and all you are doing is standing there and taking a photo of it and people praise the photographer because the original art looks nice.

Greg, that is not aimed at you, nor anyone here, I've just seen too many amateurs praise people for things like this when they don't deserve any of the credit for it. If you somehow find a way to incorporate something new into the image or give it a whole new perspective, somehow making the sheer act of photographing it change it into a completely different and new image, THEN it turns into something you should be able to claim credit for. But a dead-on shot does nothing except frustrate me. I'm done ranting.

I agree with the previous comments about the dancers. Good luck with it greg!

Thanks Brent, No offence taken at you have a good point. My wife pointed that out as well. I'll give it another go next weekend if I get the chance.......

[readingr]

Greg,

For the competition - what would make me UK person who knows nothing about your area come and visit and how would you present that as a picture? That will be the winning photo if its aimed at tourism (Or it should be the winner).

Roger