Paramount

[Sebastian]

Backstage at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL, waiting for Joyce Carol Oates to take the stage. She was a very entertaining speaker, at least for the short time I got to listen to her.

[walterick]

I'm not diggin this one, Sebby. You've broken way too many rules here

I think what bugs me is there is not a clear subject. Is it the window? Is it the sign? My eyes run back and forth between the two. If it were my photograph, I might play with dividing it into two images, one of the hutch and wall, another of the window and "cups" sign. That's just me though

[Sebastian]

Thanks for taking the time to tell me what you think Rick.

[Asylum Steve]

I think the shot is cool, but lacks a focus. The window (IMO) is the obvious one, but the brightness of the right side distracts from it. Then there's the negative space on the left, but it seems to unbalanced with the rest of the brightness of the frame.

If it were my shot, I would darken the right side a bit, and place a subject (person) just to the left of the window. The brightness of the window light would give a nice rim and maybe wrap light effect on the subject, and shift the visual focus to just off center left...

Still, what you have here is a nice still scene study...

[Sebastian]

A scene study, that's probably a good way to describe it. The room really intrigued me, if I'm ever back there again I'll explore it some more.

[another view]

A scene study, that's probably a good way to describe it.

Or a study in geometry? That's how I saw it first, all the rectangles - the window panes, clock (square, which counts), sign, cup holder...

I dunno - it doesn't really grab me. I'm sure you'll find something in there again though.

[Ronnoco]

Backstage at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL, waiting for Joyce Carol Oates to take the stage. She was a very entertaining speaker, at least for the short time I got to listen to her.

I think Steve nailed it pretty well. You have gone part way toward creating a mood, but even there you need better lighting and more detail in some of the darker areas like the left side and at the bottom of the window. Your angle could be better as well, to make use of off-axial, side lighting for greater effect. The big issue however is that you have no centre of interest to bring all the photo elements together.

Ronnoco

[Photo-John]

Backstage at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL, waiting for Joyce Carol Oates to take the stage. She was a very entertaining speaker, at least for the short time I got to listen to her.

I'm reading a Joyce Carol Oates book right now. Can't remember the name. Picture is ok. It needs a puppy dog or a flower or a naked lady. I don't know. It's missing something.







(joking, joking)

[natatbeach]

O.k. so after my sixth or seventh visit...I agre that it lacks a definitve subject...but the essence of the room is the subject...I like how warm and happy the sun streaming in is
and I love the coziness of the room very warm very peaceful....

[schrackman]

Is everyone blind? The subject is the cup dispenser! Geesh, get with it.

Seriously, though...I realize this is not the critique forum, but I too find the lack of a strong subject a distraction. I think if you were going for a certain mood by the type of lighting that was available, I think you got what you were after. I like the moody feel it gives, but again, without a subject......

Say, here's a question...why wasn't Joyce in the frame?

[Sebastian]

Say, here's a question...why wasn't Joyce in the frame?

Because she was in her dressing room waiting to go on stage. I had a few minutes just hanging out while we waited for her.

Thanks everyone.