Looking Down the Barrel...by
briphotoComment by smellyfish1002: Hello from the Critique Club!
With regards to despair -- this image says more 'fear' to me than it does despair, two very different emotions. I wouldn't lower your score, though, because this could result in despair afterwards (ie, the victim's widow would despair).
At first glance, this is a powerful image. It gets your attention right away! After that initial reaction, I think some improvements could be made with the composition. In general, I don't like the main subject to be in the center of the frame. I would have liked it better if the barrel of the gun were more to the left and up a little (maybe in the upper left 1/3). That would bring more of the hand into view. I realize the end of the barrel is the main attraction here, but I feel the photo would have more balance if more of the hand were shown. It seems 'cutoff' to me.
I really like your choice of focus and depth of field. As I said earlier, the end of the barrel is the main attraction, and your choice of focus and DOF really succeeds here. Lighting on the end of the gun is perfect. I also feel you have just the right amount of light on the hand. I'd like to see a little more light on the right side of the gun--not very much, just a little. Maybe a reflector card rather than another light source.
I like the black background, and the shape of your composition. It is a nice use of negative space.
I hope you find these comments helpful. Good luck in future challenges!
JD Anderson
Photographer found comment helpful.
