Bartender

[GB1]

Thanks for your comments.

This is a tough one: The surroundings sort of make the shot, but they are not ideal either. I sort of like Greg's edit better than the original but in some strange way the distractions seem to add to the shot. The only thing that I think definitely could go are the power outlets!

Chris -- I was interested in seeing if someone said that this wasn't a real bartender: she's a model actually We were shooting outdoors and posed her at the closed outdoor bar. The hat is a prop I brought along. I think the starkness works, ... sort of. She certainly seems lonely to me, too.

yairh20 - She is a bit centered, which is less than ideal. I'm not sure I agree on the hand above the waist pointing up rule, esp in this scene with her sitting there at a counter. (If you have an example, please post it and I'll see if I can see what you mean.) I did try a few crops - below her elbow and another below her shoulder reflection - but both seemed to lose too much. I guess it reduces to answering the question does it look good and add to the shot, or does it not? Here it's tough, because the reflection and background objects do seem worthy, but also distract from her. Decisions...

Jetrim - Thanks, but arrgg.. I tried cropping the top, and it just seems to diminish from the shot.

Jeff - It does look clean.. sure ain't a busy bar scene (I've had enough of those in flashbacks ). Like I mentioned above, this is all prop, as it was about 50-55 F outside, too cold for the outdoor bar to open. I think Greg captured your crop ideas. I wish I could take her and place her somewhere totally different, say in a winter scene.

Greg, thanks,.. your crop works IMO. THanks for taking a shot here.

Frog, you think it's too light? There was a lot of contrast and the white shirt seems blown out. I have this problem with digital all the time... I need to figure out how to get around it. BTW, I did warm up a number of shots of her, BUT... they seem somewhat yellow to me. Not sure of a solution cause the image definitely seems cold as is.

Thanks Dray. I also think Greg's crop and the original, plus the other suggestions, have merit. They all seem to have their strengths and their weaknesses. Hmm

G

[Didache]

GB1 - I'm going to be daring and radical here - but wotdahell, it's Christmas!

I would be inclined to try it with even a little more on the left - the pipe and security cam seem to me to close off the left side of the frame nicely, and it would move the model more to the right of the frame (and hence less central). The busyness that would entail doesn't bother me at all for those reasons. As it is, the pipe is too close to the edge of the frame for comfort. (Of course, I am assuming your original has a little more to play with on the left.)

And, just for the record, she could pour me a beer any time she likes

Cheers
Mike