Photographer's Comment: Thailand. Monks asking for morning Alms. from the village food vendors

Viewer Comments:

By johnwillems (2008-06-23 20:45:46 ): Without "Thanks" Peter! I don't buy or sell "Show". Friendly from John.

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-23 20:39:01 ): Aloha John, Thank you for the kind words and show of support. As Artists we all see things thru different eyes. No one is right or wrong as in other forms of Art there are no steadfast rules to be stringently obeyed. In photography we all know of the “rule” of thirds. it is a rule to be followed but not stringently obeyed. Quite often when the “Rule” is broken in an Artistical manner sheer genius shows thru. Even so it wasn’t the “Rule” thing that upset me so much as the condescending way I was spoken to…………..scolded like a child who has put his hand in the cookie jar. Once again thank you for your show of support. Mahalo, Peter

By johnwillems (2008-06-23 20:12:36 ): Hi Peter, I look to Your personnal portfolio and I saw there BEAUTIFUL & AMAZING photographs on a very high valua concern technique, mood, composition, etc,...! When I look to these photograph then I must laugh. "I think that you neighbour has made this photograph". Maybe I'am totaly wrong but I see nothing in this photograph, absolutely nothing and again and I must laugh still more. I only say this to real photographers, just like You and not to "sunday-afternoon-photographers". Nevertheless, all my bests appreciations for the good marketing test concerning the taste of people. I repaet it again, perhaps I'am wrong, persuade me with words, because I have still to learn a lot. "The colours in the background" are thess the Olympic colours? Thanks to share Your art with us and for all Your comments to the ohter members. Friendly from John.

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-23 18:33:09 ): Aloha Rachael, I fully understand it’s just I didn’t like the Haughty, Condescending nature of his words. I have been a professional photographer for 15 years and have earned my living as a travel photographer for the last 7 years. Maybe if he had worded his critique a little differently. “My critique was an attempt to be polite at saying that this image made a less than favorable impression on me, since you are apparently one of those fellows who fancy that they don't need "rules",” I find the above critique very condescending. Mahalo, Peter

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-23 18:32:14 ): Aloha Jim, I fully understand it’s just I didn’t like the Haughty, Condescending nature of his words. I have been a professional photographer for 15 years and have earned my living as a travel photographer for the last 7 years. Maybe if he had worded his critique a little differently. “My critique was an attempt to be polite at saying that this image made a less than favorable impression on me, since you are apparently one of those fellows who fancy that they don't need "rules",” I find the above critique very condescending. Mahalo, Peter

By Jim915 (2008-06-23 17:43:38 ): Hi Peter - Doug knows perfectly well that you can't control how a street scene sets up. He is not commenting on your skill as a photographer. Doug also knows that rules can be broken with stunning results. He is simply commenting on THE photo that you put up and asked for a critique. Doug has given you good information that will hopefully help you in the future. That is the purpose of critiquing.

By rachael (2008-06-23 04:59:28 ): Doug, I agree with you 100%. If one of the elements (the 'moment', the composition, the colour (if not B&W) in an image is lacking, the picture doesn't work -- no matter how exotic and interesting the subject matter. This picture *might* have worked better MORE blurred. Then the monks cease to be monks -- exotic human subjects -- and become vertical bands of gold against a pastel background. There would still be the issue of grouping and spacing, but I think it would matter less. Rachael

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-23 02:15:28 ): Aloha Jim, I agree, I also feel that less blur would make for a better image. I happened to be down an alley when I caught site of them, I rushed to get my camera out and started to shot so as not to miss the moment. In retrospect I should have slowed, took a deep breath and slowly panned the shot. Panning is quite difficult to get just right……..At least it is for me.Maybe I should have gone with the sharp shot after all. Mahalo, Peter

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-23 02:03:39 ): Aloha Doug, I must apologize for breaking the rules. Next time I see a grouping of Thai Monks scuttling past, I shall endeavor to make conversation with them and attempt to explain in my less than perfect Thai how they are breaking the rules and could they please huddle a little closer. Being such beautiful people I am sure they will agree with your wisdom and huddle closer to bring unity into the composition and not break the Graphic Artists rule. Buddhist monks live their life by rules so I am sure they know of this one………Guess we all forgot it during our “Kodak Moment” ……………………Ouch!

By DougWilkening (2008-06-23 00:55:24 ): My critique was an attempt to be polite at saying that this image made a less than favorable impression on me, the viewer, because in spite of the fact that you did many things well, the image is compositionally flawed. Since you are apparently one of those fellows who fancy that they don't need "rules", try taking a look at a better image and see if you can learn from that. The image "Like father, like daughter" by Tanja Mamas (somagni) on the current weekly assignment page is an example of how you could have grouped your elements more effectively.

By Jim915 (2008-06-22 23:24:34 ): Hi Peter - I like the panned version. I just would like a little less blur on the monks. But that is just a suggestion. It is a nice image.

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-22 20:43:05 ): Aloha Jim, Yes, the image looks very nice sharp , it was a difficult decision that I had to make as to whether to upload the sharp version or this panned shot. Both ideas are nice and flowed well. But, in the end I elected to show the panned version, I feel this was the correct decision …………Look at all the comments it has received! Thank you and Mahalo, Peter

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-22 20:38:21 ): Aloha Doug, I believe that street photography or urban photography as it is known over here has to be judged on its spontaneous effects on you the viewer. It’s how the viewer interacts with the image that counts, not a bunch of Graphic Artist rules that are more suited for the studio or other controlled setting. We are all entitled to our Artistic and professional opinions but I disagree; given the context of this image. Thank you and Mahalo, Peter

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-22 20:29:56 ): Aloha Isachsen, Yes, I feel that movement is portrayed with the feet but in this particular image I wanted the panning of the fabric shop display items (behind the monks) to show the real sense of fluid movement. Thank you and Mahalo, Peter

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-22 20:26:31 ): Aloha and Thank you for the kind words, Peter

By peter_mclaren (2008-06-22 20:25:53 ): Aloha Linda. I could have shot the monks tack sharp like the rest of the images I shot of them that morning. Instead I thought that by panning I could capture the essence of movement in a surreal way………………Glad you liked it. Mahalo, Peter

By Jim915 (2008-06-22 20:14:58 ): Thanks for that information Doug!

By Jim915 (2008-06-22 20:13:51 ): The colors in the BG work well against the monk's robes. I think the line created by the monks works well compositionally. Also having 3 things in an image is another good compositional element. As much as I like blur, I think the image would be more effective if the monks were sharper.

By DougWilkening (2008-06-22 11:35:57 ): This has a nice impressionistic feel to it. The pastel colors are great. The composition could be better with respect to the grouping of objects (that is, the monks). Usually if you have two or three similar objects on a background, you want to keep them a bit closer together than this to give some unity to the composition. This is not something that I am making up off the top of my head, it's a known principle that graphic artists try to follow. The thing about street photography is, it's as much about finding instancances of great composition as it is about interesting subject matter. Both are equally important.

By Isachsen (2008-06-22 06:47:15 ): Who says that images need to be tack sharp all the time (grin)? The mystic and mood is mostly in the feet - a wonderful sense of motion. Muted colors also play an important role here. I like it very much!

By LindaJames (2008-06-22 04:31:40 ): The blur of this image along with the subject gives it an ethereal feeling. Interesting and intriguing.

By ktapio (2008-06-22 01:59:01 ): There is something sorely about this image. The colors of the background against the floating like monks so gracefully moving in time and space. Very nice image.katia

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