All around Failing: Push Ups

[Jerren]

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I've been thinking about posting some images that I felt should have or could have been good if someone else other than me would have made them.

 

Take this photo for example. I got on the train one very early morning (still dark outside) so the only light that was available was that of the train itself. All of the sudden this man breaks out into an exercise routine. All I had at the time was a 2.8 lens so I opened up, Turned the ISO up to Ludicrous speed (ISO 2500 on the m8) guessed the distance of the guy and shot a few images. Based on the placement of his fingers, it looks like the image was in focus correctly. .

 

My shutter speed was 1/125th so I was able to hold 'er steady well enough to still produce no motion blur. I think this is where I erred. I could have taken the ISO down to 1250 and the image would have had just that much better quality if I had done that. But I was afraid I'd get motion blur/camera shake then.

 

I still feel like this picture fails at being a great picture or even a good picture. This was my oppurtunity to make perhaps one of my greatest street photos ever. And now the moment is lost. I feel like I let Bruce Davidson down

 

I'd like to hear your candid thoughts on this. I really wanted this one to work. What could I have done differently if anything? Can it be saved somehow via post processing?

 

 

[gshay]

If you can still do them, flaunt it !

 

Thinking this is very nice, don't make excuses, very interesting.

 

 

-G

[Lax Jought]

What's wrong with this photo? Under the circumstances, it's excellent. It was interesting enough for me to look it over and then again to process what I am seeing.

[pauledell]

Jerren,

 

You are the photographer not a famous one from the past so you don't need to compare your work. Let the picture stand for itself without apology. I think this is great as it is with the composition, tones, sharpness and mood so don't beat yourself up trying to find fault with it.

 

Paul

[vdb]

My opinion, step back several feet, and maybe include another person....or wait for an expression....but as is, just stepping back to include more tunnel like environment just maybe would work. Or not;)

[A miller]

I agree with all comments made so far. The fact is that street photography is often much about spontaneity, which will invariably produce an image with varying layers of appeal depending on, well, largely luck. Maybe more of a "tunnel vision" would have added an additional layer of appeal here, or perhaps not. Only way to find out is to try, and try again, and then again!

 

I think you picture is interesting on many levels. It is has the appeal of being timeless in the sense that one cannot tell in which time period it was taken. For all I know, it could have been taken in the 70's during the doldrums of NYC. The grittiness adds to this.

 

The act of doing push-up in mass transit is quite unique. I live in NYC and regularly take the subway and I must say that I don' think I've ever seen this before (seen a lot of other things, but not this ). So this is certainly a layer of appeal. Some eye contact with the man doing the push ups while actually doing them (perhaps with a look of manic intensity) would have added another layer of appeal. But of course waiting for him to lift his head is a risk/reward proposition as you could lose your shot entirely. One possible solution to this would be to make a clicking sound with your cheek, or perhaps a whistle, to try to get his attention; then wait for him to look up...and shoot!!

 

Having said all of this, you should be proud of your shot.

 

As for post-processing. You might tinker with the shadow slider to try to open up the image a little. But again, this is street photography and that doesn't really matter much. It's much more about the story being told and/or the thoughts being provoked...

 

Best,

 

Adam

[gshay]

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Came back after two days,

 

Do believe that fellow is bloody stuck there, Please help him down, hell he might be

d.o.a.?

 

Check his pulse, Code Blue!

 

Better check mine too, just had my 97th B-day.

 

The big stud.

 

-G