Bartender

I like this shot but am interested in your comments on how to make it better. I feel it's a tad busy. Others have suggested cropping out about the top 25%, cloning out the power outlets and the security camera (top left). I am holding off on that so far.

C&Cs welcome.

G

I'd crop out the security camera along with the pipe along with cloning out power outlets. I think that the wideness of the photograph sets the emotion of the photograph, she looks lonely because I'm guessing on Christmas the bar isn't busy.

I'd like to note two things:
A. The reflection is cool, but it doesn't add to the picture and with it, the subject is too centered (as I'm sure an experienced photographer like you has realized), therefore I suggest cropping most of it.
B. The hand is in an awkward position, the basic rule of posing is that any hand above the waistline must be pointing up, ergo the wrist should be bringing the hand closer to the top of the arm not the bottom - I really don't think I explained that well so If you didn't understand ask and I'll try to explain it again...

I'm with Chris on this one. If it were me, I'd crop the top down to the bottom pf the hanging candycane (still leaves all beer bottles intact). The left I'd bring over to the knee wall, getting ride of the coffee pot and electrical conduit, and finally clone out the outlets on the right. The expression on the bartender is great and the lighting is fine. I understand what Yairh20 is saying, but don't feel it's that critical to the shot (in a studio shot, yes).

I would crop the top just enough to eliminate the camera and the left side just enough to get rid of the conduit. I like the expression and the reflection on the bar also but as far as the shot being too busy I think just the opposite. I have never seen a bar that didn't have bottles all lined up in the back within easy reach to be able to serve customers, Somehow it seems to me the bar is too clean, like it should have a napkin and a glass on it or something. and bottles on the rear bar that are within easy reach. The reason she is by herself is there isn't anything to serve for drinks. Just my thoughts on it, Jeff

GB, I like the shot and agree the conduit, camera are somewhat distracting. But I do like the crop. Sure it is centered but I don't mind because I feel the bottles and candy cane adds to the shot as with the reflection. Another way to get rid of the camera without a crop would be to skew the left side and the clone the camera. Also clone the cane just behind her head. Nice capture GB. Something like this...


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3...71_px800-1.jpg

I wouldn't crop it at all as everything in the shot says,"this is a dismal bar except for the barkeep0".
I would decrease the exposure and maybe add some warming.

I'm not sure which I prefer, Greg's crop or the original. I like them both.

Agree with Grandpaw: The less cropping here, the better.

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 :D 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 :D). 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

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

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 :D

Cheers
Mike

I like the original as is. The only thing I would've done is... instead of a warming filter... bump the saturation about 4 - 5 points and increase the blacks about 3 - 5 points as well. Minor corrections but they will decrease the blown out feel from the shirt and increase the warmth without yellowing the colour tones.

I also agree with Didache... she can serve me anytime!

Mike, Jaedon -

Thanks, as always, your inputs are welcome. Here the original w/o cropping. Jaedon, I bumped up the saturation and adjusted the contrast a bit like you suggested. I think it has a bit more punch now, and not warming the entire scene has preserved the colors elsewhere. I've had some problems with shots from this shoot when warming btw .. Her off white sweater starts taking on a new identity, so I like the saturation suggestion :)

Mike, I decided not to crop here at all so that you can see what I had. It could still use a little cloning here and there.. a weekend project? We'll see :D

G