thi is the normal shot of this one, presented here
www.vazaar.com/topic:big-city/responses/response:6...

:-)

I have to say I prefer the "normal" shot!

I'm posting this version of this image because of the discussion I've had with some of you:

www.vazaar.com/topic:portrait-of-a-person/response...

I'm curious to hear thoughts if anyone has them. Thanks.

Yes, this works much better, if you ask me.

I have to remark though that this is based on my personal development as a photographer. I found myself tired of hyper-saturation, and I have also begun to use DOF as a tool. The question is how much do I want to isolate a shot from the background, what am I trying to achieve by doing that.

In this case it works, because I would want the fun ferris wheel and carnival to seem like a distant memory.

Very interesting comparison. I too think this one works much better. It seems to fit the sombre context.

Hey guys,
I understand what you're both saying. I'm torn. I like them both... one for the juxtaposition of emotions and the other for the 'appropriate' mood.
Either way, this is why I think Vazaar is so great. It give me, (all of us) this chance to discuss and experiment like this with feedback.
Thanks for taking the time.

Wow...what a wonderful statement of how many is changing his environment and not paying attention to "how" his creations do not blend with their surroundings.

The colors seem a bit over the top, too saturated. Nice tho'.

Phillipe,

This photo has inspired me. I will be traveling to Arizona this week to the Glenn Canyon and Lake Powell. Also to other places, but I will make a special effort to find this place you have shown in your photo. Perhaps I will make some photos of my own here. =)

Excellent, Jason! This shot was taken near Page, but I wouldn't recommend to stay in Page. Kanab, not far from Page, is a charming town. Try the Victoria charm Inn...
Looking forward to see your pictures...

Thanks for the tips. I'm leaving today! See you.

Ah. Brooklyn. As the sign says, "How Sweet It Is". Awesome shot of lower Manhattan.

Thanks.

Very, very nice. The boats add much to the shot. I wonder how it might look with a bit more contrast.

DAniel, I tried this with more contrast, but the sky is so flat, no clouds in sight and that made it seem so empty. So I went this way. Thanks.

This is a super shot. :)

xLeave & Craig - Thanks for your thoughts. This shot has actually gone through quite a few stages of evolution - tighter crop, wider crop, B&W, lighter, darker.

In the end, I thought "what would make it stand out against all the other b&w, half-lit, negative space filled self-portraits?"

This was the result, which I'm kinda quite happy with.

Agreed on the comments above - I think that you could also try a hikey (sp) bw approach to this photo. Double "Oh Yeah" on the lighting....

I'm thinking black and white too. I think the skin tones are too ruddy. But I really like everything else about it. You are right though in your observation about the style being a bit repetitive for a theme like this. This is a slightly different take.

Good light. Like Peter, I like the fact it's dark, and the negative space. The choice of the angle is interesting, too, and I'd like to see a version where you look at the camera.

I would love to see this in B&W also. Besides that its great, I like that you can see his left eye slightly makes it slightly more interesting (to me)

Good portrait. I like the framing and light.

I am surprised this took so long to be featured - it is a great shot.

Great lighting and expression

a very cool expression! Well captured!

dang :-))))

very cool, man!

Thanks for all the very generous compliments all!

Oh Ana, you are boosting his ego. :-))))))

Congrats Craig, I just saw that you got featured.

You have to like back to back features! congrats.

Thanks Kyla. Just a glimpse of what it must be like for guys like King and Vernon Trent ;-), compared to the drought I have going on over at WS.

Very nice shot!

Great emotion and the light is perfect.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Nice! The bokeh in the background works perfectly. Nicely focused and composed.

great! for me little bit more bokeh is more appealing..the left hand looks like it does not belong to the guy..nevertheless the face, expression, light..very goog!

Congrats Craig! Three features back to back. All well deserved.

I'm with Craig. This isn't how I pictured you, Ana. I don't know what I did think you looked like, but it wasn't this :)

Very nice self portrait. Some great tones and a bit of mystery leave people wanting more. For those who are interested I am a very close mix of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and David Beckham. Hmm not quite.

Great intensity, great saturation and tone. Mysterious and passionate. As opposed to others, this image seems to parallel the personality I think I know from the many posts and comments here and on the WS. Really nice representation Ana.

This picture looks very sinister and mysterious! I like it alot! The saturation is nice and really complients the picture!

What I like about this picture is its "trashy" look: harsh light, saturated colors, hair in the face, posture, provoking eye... Punk attitude!