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Gay Marriage:  Adam and Steve
Gay Marriage: Adam and Steve
Sunshine86


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Photojournalism II (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Location: Oregon
Date: Apr 29, 2006
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/20
Galleries: Black and White, Political
Date Uploaded: Apr 29, 2006

N/A

Statistics
Place: 148 out of 183
Avg (all users): 5.1477
Avg (commenters): 5.9000
Avg (participants): 5.0000
Avg (non-participants): 5.2500
Views since voting: 1324
Views during voting: 367
Votes: 176
Comments: 17
Favorites: 1 (view)


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AuthorThread
05/10/2006 12:22:10 PM
Greetings from the Critique Club...

Hi Sunshine86 :)

This is a type of photojournalism that is less popular than most other types. This is called a photo illustration. Photo illustrations differ from most other forms of photojournalism in the fact that they are contrived rather than candid. Most reputable photojournalists have these images labeled as photo illustrations in print as well. The cut line with the image will have the context followed by "Photo Illustration by John Doe." I notice that a couple of your comments don't see this piece as photojournalism. A more mainstream type of photojournalism may have fared better here on DPC. Everyone likes to talk about being 'outside the box' but when they vote, they don't give that much leeway from their own interpretation of the theme.

As for the image itself, it does support the theme you chose to represent. I think that it could have been stronger though. When I first looked at the image, I had to look fairly closely to catch your theme. The fact that there are two people in the photo is not dominant in the composition. In a photo illustration, or any photojournalistic image for that matter, the theme needs to be dominant and jump out at the viewer. As I look more closely at your image, I can see that you have dodged out the ring area on the hand to draw attention to it, but it's not a strong enough focal point within the context of the entire image to make your point with strength. If you wanted the ring to be the center of attention, it may have been worthwhile to do a photo that focused on two men's hands rather than the embrace. This theme has lots of possibilities.

Photo illustrations are a lot like still life photography. Since the photographer has all the control of the scene, situation, and lighting, There should be no issues that come up short. Everything should be perfect, and there is no excuse for it not being. Personally, this is one thing I take into consideration when voting or critiquing a shot of this nature. The technical standards are much higher in this situation.

Subject choices also play a role in the results you get on this site. There are some subjects that touch nerves and create reactions that have nothing to do with the image itself. You always have to be prepared for those votes...

"I know the background bothersome- but i got to a point where I did not want to mess with it anymore."

Giving up shouldn't be an option. If you commit to the task, you should give it the time and effort it deserves. If you fail, you may want to consider not submitting it. If you aren't completely happy with the result, how would you expect anyone else to be?

John Setzler

  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2006 10:31:24 PM
Really a nice image. Maybe not for photojournalism per se, but I do like the arms/torso approach you took. Nice in black and white too. It neutralizes any color variations and you just concentrate on the shadows and lights. The slightly off centered composition is one of my favorites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2006 09:53:35 PM
i'm sorry i missed this in voting, would have given you a 10, this image should not have got the low scores.

Well done! and sorry again!

have added your photo and you as a fav.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/07/2006 03:37:22 PM
Good lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2006 11:59:56 AM
I think showing the two men's faces would have had more of an impact because it shows they aren't trying to hide from the public, but a great a idea and just a suggestion
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2006 08:03:40 AM
good shot.. a little sensitive issue, but i can see it on the front of a mag
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/05/2006 07:36:44 PM
Been done before. Just doesn't do it for me.
05/05/2006 12:41:58 PM
Interesting take. Not sure the crop would be accepted by an editor.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2006 12:22:25 PM
excellent work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2006 02:51:38 AM
Uh oh!! I can just imagine the comments you are getting over this one. Very brave...and no...I am not going to lower my vote because of my own beliefs. Good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2006 04:52:44 PM
geat idea but maybe could have been done better. maybe thier two faces next to each other or just two hands and hairy arms. of course with this subject matter you have to be carefull if you are putting this in a aminstream publication. the weding ring is a nice touch. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2006 05:26:23 AM
:-) , front page for which magazine ? interesting photo nevertheless ...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2006 05:24:47 PM
if they are for real i sure hope they get to marry each other like every one else gets!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2006 05:05:12 PM
Nice job... This works well in B&W..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2006 04:58:03 PM
If it had a portrait orientation, I could see this as a Newsweek cover.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2006 12:25:36 PM
A bit trite and concieved for it to work for me. Nor, do I think most newspapers would run a title Adam and Steve (without PC backlash).
05/01/2006 03:48:53 AM
Cool! Brave on here, but cool nonetheless!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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