Hand Study

[BlueRob]

I´m trying to do a hand study...some sort of a yearly project, I`ll try to collect hands here and there...so far this is the first one.
C&C shoot!

[Don Schaeffer]

This could be a classic (if you were famous). Nice shot.

[Nicci]

I love it!

[Shebang]

I might crop out about half of the table -- but I'm notorious for tight shots. Did you do your PP magic here? The contrast (if that's the right term) is good. Nice detail. You did a great job getting the focus on the hands - even the button is just soft enough to make for more emphasis on the hands.

[Lava Lamp]

Great idea and masterful execution. The table creates a sense of omninousness (sp?) and a sheer drop-off. With no head, the whole thing is a little menacing. Do you get that feel?

Love to see more of these as you do them.

I just put a photo of my own up for critique and would love to see what you think...

[Frog]

I think the hands are very well done. However, I don't find any mood or feel from them.
I think the environment in which they are placed is too sterile so that I have no idea what these hands have done or do.
It may just be my taste in photos.

[OldClicker]

I really like this one. If I knew any artistic type terms, maybe I could explain why. I like the 'oversize' of the hands, the top cut off with the slight V of the collar, the expanse of the table, the single button and the plaid coat. Like Don said - a future classic. - TF

[daq7]

I was thinking about doing this myself, but I am sure my results won't be as good.

[apass]

Excellent exposure and theme. I think this image in particular could look stronger on a centered framing of the main subject so I would crop part of the table…but as usual at the end is personal taste.:idea:

Antonio

[BlueRob]

This could be a classic (if you were famous). Nice shot.

:blush2: Thanks a lot Don!

[BlueRob]

I love it!

Thanks Nicci!:thumbsup:

[BlueRob]

I might crop out about half of the table -- but I'm notorious for tight shots. Did you do your PP magic here? The contrast (if that's the right term) is good. Nice detail. You did a great job getting the focus on the hands - even the button is just soft enough to make for more emphasis on the hands.

Thanks Paula....Actually this shot is the first one that I don´t crop at all...straight out of the camera. Did think on cropping a little the bottom though, but since there is a "conspicuous" shadow on it I leave it as is, plus I think the table aids to the perspective of the shot.
The DOF field you see is not done with PP work.... just made the shot with the lens fully opened (f3.5 14-42mm lens).
The PP "magic" involved is pretty much what I do to "draganize" the shots...play with the burn tool and the contrast mainly and add a bit of sharpening.

[BlueRob]

Great idea and masterful execution. The table creates a sense of omninousness (sp?) and a sheer drop-off. With no head, the whole thing is a little menacing. Do you get that feel?

Love to see more of these as you do them.

I just put a photo of my own up for critique and would love to see what you think...

Thanks Lava yeap that menacing feel it exactly what I aimed in this shot and tried to accomplish it with only the hands...after I thought about it a bit I ended up linking the torso also... to play as background with the natural DOF and the black coat I thinks works great.

I´ll check that pic of yours

[BlueRob]

I think the hands are very well done. However, I don't find any mood or feel from them.
I think the environment in which they are placed is too sterile so that I have no idea what these hands have done or do.
It may just be my taste in photos.

Thanks Frog for your input.
A "menacing" or "serious" mood is what I tried to capture here.
The place where I took the shot....my office (don´t tell my boss) is plain white...at the end I ended up liking the idea of the black silhouette on the "background" plane an the hands on a first plane.

[BlueRob]

I really like this one. If I knew any artistic type terms, maybe I could explain why. I like the 'oversize' of the hands, the top cut off with the slight V of the collar, the expanse of the table, the single button and the plaid coat. Like Don said - a future classic. - TF

Thanks a lot OC!
All those "features" that you mention in the coat adds to the composition...pushed me on leaving the shot without a crop, and thankfully the perspective of the shot bolds the hands clearly as main subject with the increased size that you mentioned.:thumbsup:

[BlueRob]

I was thinking about doing this myself, but I am sure my results won't be as good.

.....Its only one way to find out Mr. Daq....try it! :thumbsup:

[BlueRob]

Excellent exposure and theme. I think this image in particular could look stronger on a centered framing of the main subject so I would crop part of the table…but as usual at the end is personal taste.:idea:

Antonio

Thanks! I´ll try a tighter crop on the bottom...though I must say that the shadow on the table adds a bit of mood to the composition....at least for my eyes.

Thanks:thumbsup:

[gahspidy]

This is very good, Rob. I think the crop should stay as it is after experimenting with cutting off some table area. The tones are good and the hands are textured and interesting. I think this is a great theme and woill make a strong series.
I don't feel any mood to this and feel there should'nt be any. really. It is a study of hands, period. Its strong and simple. The rest of the works should stay to this simple format and setting.
Well done.

[Greg McCary]

I like it. Nice work.

[draymorton]

Very, very strong work, Rob. But I don't like the halos around the arms.

[BlueRob]

This is very good, Rob. I think the crop should stay as it is after experimenting with cutting off some table area. The tones are good and the hands are textured and interesting. I think this is a great theme and woill make a strong series.
I don't feel any mood to this and feel there should'nt be any. really. It is a study of hands, period. Its strong and simple. The rest of the works should stay to this simple format and setting.
Well done.

Thanks for the comments Gary. Regarding the mood I see your point...by themselves hands are strong subjects...but I also know that hands are a very expressive tool us humans use to show all sorts of emotions or a "moods" that is what I would like to capture... a given mood given just by the hands. I know this falls in a difficult road where the observer will have a very particular sense or opinion about it.

Yes I agree and would like for the rest of the pics in this series to be on a simple setup like this one to keep the strength on the hands and nothing more.....will see if I can accomplish this.

[BlueRob]

I like it. Nice work.

Thanks a lot Greg!:thumbsup:

[BlueRob]

Very, very strong work, Rob. But I don't like the halos around the arms.

Thanks Dray glad you like it :thumbsup:
I see what you mean about the halos...actually is a vignette but thanks to the composition looks like an halo around the arms....haven't notice that till now

[LeeIs]

Love the subject you chose. The execution is right on. love it the way it is. I think everything about it works nicely.

[MarcusK]

Just lovely...

I must say, if a mood was too apparent, I am not sure I would have liked it as much... try looking at the hands only... you will suddenly see them doing things... almost move even... love the PP work.

But there is one thing... it feels tilted...it's not.. but feels this way, probably because it was not shot from the center of the table and straight towards the subject...

And I can't believe I am about to say it but.... centering them is the right choice....

Great Work... looking forward to the rest of the series!