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by **Matt. K** on Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:37 pm

This is a group shot of the 2013 Tai Chi class workshop held at Joeys College, Hunters Hill. The students come from all over the world and spend a week learning new forms and postures or polishing up old ones. The master Instructor is Doctor Paul Lam, one of the worlds top Tai Chi Instructors and he is pictured centre front row. I'm not 100% happy with this image and would much preferred to have them all move to the left in order to block out the sky on the right hand of the image. When setting up the group they appeared to be in a position where the background would be entirely of the glass windows....but looking through the viewfinder I was somewhat aghast to see that the only way to avoid the sky and edge of the building would be to shoot drastically off centre. This I was not prepared to do. The other option would have been to move the entire group amount 10 feet to the left, but I could sense that I would be pushing their patience as large groups only have an attention span of about 5 minutes....then you've lost them. So I decided to go with it and make the best of it. Whilst the image is perfectly acceptable it is a good example of the angst and anxiety that professionals, (and amateurs), sometimes go through whilst working quickly and thinking on their feet. I should have spent more time planning this shot before the group assembled. And yes...Tai Chi really is a martial art. Do your research.
The second shot is a PR image of Doctor Lam.

by **sirhc55** on Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:43 pm

Easily fixed Matt. Move the post over and extend the building and roofline to get rid of the sky. You know it make sense

I thought Tai Chi was a variation of Chai Tea so you have taught me something new . . .

by Mj on Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:28 pm

Yep... these kind of shoots can be a real challenge... this and casual event type shots are hard to deliver something really artistic.
I would either consider Chris's thought, perhaps combined with a little pano crop... or leave it all as is as the recipients are most likely going to be happy with it as is.

by **zafra52** on Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:22 pm

Try a tight crop panoramic view of the people leaving out
as much as you can to see if your feel happier. I tried this
type of shots a couple of times and there is always one in
the group that closes the eyes, pick his/her nose or half
hides behind a head fiving the impression the poor person
in front either has two heads or a hell of a boil in the face.
Personally I feel you have done very, very well but it all
depends on how much building, sky and foreground you
are prepared to leave out.

The second one is excellent! I wouldn't touch it.