Coffee Barrista
by Sherri1209

Comment by strangeghost:
A very busy shot that manages to capture the ambiance of a typical coffee shop. I'd suggest a tighter crop to eliminate some of the extra detail that doesn't accentuate the main subject, the girl. Using my hands to crop out everything to the left of her right hand and below the left pinky still gives me a great shot of her (and a little tighter on her face) but eliminates the paper cubs, the label on the milk container, etc. There's also a little bit of a red caste to her skin that seems unusual. What I like most about this shot is her face. Profile views are wonderful, and that lock of hair hanging down in her eye is a perfect expression of a hardworking caffeine jockey.

Teen Terra Firma
by Sherri1209

Comment by strangeghost:
I love the concept behind this shot, but I believe you missed the opportunity to really nail it. I think you were going for a dark feel here but perhaps a bit too dark? You've created a lot of negative space at the left edge and bottom that doesn't necessarily add to the image. Additionally, it feels a little soft to me, maybe a bit too soft in focus. Other detail is lost as well - I can't tell what he's laying on and I can't make out the object just to the left of his chest (music player?). I think you could have tightened up your shot by moving in on his head and upper chest, maybe with the music player laying directly below his chin, to push the concept that he's off in a world of his own, lost in the music. As shot, there's a little too much competing detail that doesn't contribute to this feel (assuming that was your aim).

Take Me There
by Sherri1209

Comment by Sherri1209:
For those who were confused by this image being submitted in the Ground Up challenge, Let me assure you that I was below him looking up. Two Reasons (that aren't my word) to support this:
I was laying back on the jetski which you can see in the bottom of his glasses - the red handlebar. The other is that if it was straight on (which I can see that being the assumption, based on the outcome of the shot) I would be smack dab in the middle of his sunglass lens.

anyhow..just wanted to address this because an overwhelming number of the comments I received was regarding how the image didn't fit the challenge. :)

Coffee Barrista
by Sherri1209

Comment by philup:
8

Coffee Barrista
by Sherri1209

Comment by echoman:
Who's the barista?

Coffee Barrista
by Sherri1209

Comment by tpoc:
barristas are fun to photograph...they're so busy and animated. it would be interesting to see this image taken from a different angle to bring out more of that energy.

Coffee Barrista
by Sherri1209

Comment by Jutilda:
This IS what you'd see, but it has such a snapshot feeling. Maybe in black and white with lots of contrast and a sepia filter. Hmmmm - just thinking out loud.

Teen Terra Firma
by Sherri1209

Comment by ttreit:
I like the title and the mood it portrays, but there's something flat about this shot...maybe the lighting on his face and shirt? Or that there's little depth to it (feels very flat).

Take Me There
by Sherri1209

Comment by Toniann220:
9

Take Me There
by Sherri1209

Comment by Longreach:
Great spin on the challenge. I like it.