Phone Sexby
melismaticaComment: Howdy from the Critique Club!!
The initial mental image I got off of this shot was...unsettling, to say the least. ;) I don't think I'll ever look at a payphone the same way again!
Let's start with composition. Judging by your title, I'm assuming the focal point here is supposed to be the sticker to the left of the phone. However, due to the size of the sicker in relation to the phone, it kind of gets dwarfed and overlooked. The first thing I see and study is the phone, which leaves me wondering what this has to do with words. It is further emphasized by the angles of the metal cords, which subconsciously lead the voters' eyes, again, to the phone. This probably contributed to some of your lower scores, as many people only give a photograph a quick once or twice-over before voting.
Perspective is probably your biggest enemy in this challenge. The angle of the metal plate to the right of the picture points down to the lower edge of the photo, as does the angle of the phone, which makes the entire photo seem off balance in comparison to the straighter lines in the center and to the left of the actual payphone. With so many vertical lines in so many place, it can be tough to not get perspective distortion.
If this were my picture, I would try some more creative cropping. For example, I might try cropping off the top half of the picture to take the focus off of the phone and placing it back on the sticker. If a reshoot is possible, I would suggest perhaps taking the phone off the hook, getting closer to the keypad, and recomposing from there. This way you can get a larger view of the sticker while stile maintaining those aspects of a phonebooth to keep it all in context.
The lighting in this photograph also poses some problems. The point of highest contrast falls, once again, on the phone, leaving the muted sticker fading away in the background. From the angle of the photograph, I suspect that your shadow blocked some of the light on the left half of the picture while leaving the right half still in full sunlight. Perhaps next time you could mount the camera on a tripod and use a timer or remote switch to take the picture while standing to the left, essentially reversing the light paths of the original picture.
The strongest aspect of this photo is the grittiness and detail. Many photographers choose to smooth out scratches, dents, and any other minor imperfection, but you've chosen to leave those present, and I think it adds a very realistic, interesting element. :)
Last but not least, the theme. That's probably the weakest aspect in this particular photograph. Because the theme is "Words," voters are going to expect words to play a very prominent part in your photograph. In this shot, words are certainly present, and they do add a humorous touch, but I don't feel like they are central to the image. Sometimes subtlety can go a long way, but in this case, I think it falls a little too short.
You've got a lot of fantastic pictures in your portfolio, so I know you've definitely got what it takes! Good luck on future challenges, and let me know if you have any more questions or concerns!!
-Stacy
Photographer found comment helpful.
