AskJoeB: Please take a look.

What do you think?

Molly sent this photo to me to take a look at. As usual, I like to show the actual text that was sent to me. I do this because so many of you out there have had similar questions or have had similar situations.

Here’s what Molly had to say:

“Hello Joe:

Please take a look at my pic. I did crop the image.

While on vacation taking a walk in the cool, misty morning I turned a
corner and found myself in front of the iconic Seattle Farmers Market
sign, then this fellow crossed my path. Immediately it came to mind
that,  to me, he was an iconic example of how most guys in Seattle
dressed. I grabbed two or three shots.

I look forward to you giving it a critique in your blog. Thanks,

Molly in
Dallas”

Hello Molly, let’s take a look at your photo. The first thing that comes to my mind is what I’m always telling the students that take my online class with the BPSOP, and also in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet.

I tell them that they won’t always be around to explain their photo to the viewers. If it’s an abstract they’re going for them it’s fine to have everyone to walk away with a different take on your photo.

If they’re trying to tell a story, or just presenting a well compose picture that they want the same viewers to enjoy, then it’s important to make their image a “quick read”. That is making sure that the message is understood without any text accompanying the photograph.

Having said that, you said that the man that crossed your path was “an iconic example” of how most guys in Seattle dressed.

BTW, when you crop in front of a computer, you’ll never know where the edges of your frame are, nor will you ever be able to use the edges as a compositional tool.

Since I’ve had great success in creating an actual video, click on this link:

http://www.screencast.com/t/Jc92TQjBsLK

Thanks for your submission, and I hope it answered your question.

Visit mt workshop at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my upcoming workshops. I have one spot for my “Springtime in Portugal” coming up this May 21st. Next July 26th I’ll be back at the Maine Media Workshop for my 27th year. a fantastic place full of energy and lot of photographers on the campus to share your experience with. I always pick this same week as it’s the week of the Lobster Festival down the road in Rockland. A different set of photo opts: people watching and portraiture, color, light, and design.

Keep those photos and questions coming into: AskJoeB@gmail.com, and I’ll create a video for you.

JoeB