Cafe Crush

[Manta]

This image is straight out of the camera, the blur was completely unintentional. I was trying to get some candid shots of Sunday breakfast diners but was getting some strange looks. This shot was taken with the camera sitting on my lap. At first I thought it was a tosser but then it really started to grow on me in the way it depicted the frenetic hustle & bustle of the cafe clique.

Love to hear your views.
(I know the title is a bit right of centre... I'll fix that some time!)

[Justin]

Hi Manta, I have some shots like that which I like, however I can't find anybody else that does. I think it's pretty neat effect, but it's mostly just a blur... It's hard to tell that it is a cafe (although the title gives it away)...

[PlatinumWeaver]

Blur is good!

[Manta]

Thanks guys for your comments and I really appreciate your replies.

I suppose 38 views and 2 replies speaks volumes about people's opinions. Still, even if folks dont' like it, it's helpful to hear their opinions.

[big pix]

Blur is good........... sometimes you can get a little too much.........but I like the shot........ it has a fresh look......

cheers
bp

[Manta]

Thanks BP - appreciate your reply.

It's not a look that I'm trying to cultivate but theis was an exercise in trying to salvage something from a dud shot.

[redline]

i think using blur is good way to show something is busy, motion speed etc.
[grain of salt opinion]
i think you need to find a bit more motion in your shot to blur,
a table of ppl with a waitness taking their order isn't working mabye a table of something eating? lots of hand and head movment?
[/grain of salt opinion]

anyway it good to experiment!

[big pix]

maybe try to invert the shot........ mic will like it.......

bp

[Manta]

i think using blur is good way to show something is busy, motion speed etc.
[grain of salt opinion]
i think you need to find a bit more motion in your shot to blur,
a table of ppl with a waitness taking their order isn't working mabye a table of something eating? lots of hand and head movment?
[/grain of salt opinion]

anyway it good to experiment!

Couldn't agree with you more Redline. This was a pretty pedestrian scene.

[mic]

Manta, how did you get in my mind the other night when I was putting together my Gumnut Children & the Spider from Mars, thats exactly what I was seeing after a good few beers & a cuople of reds.



Mic. ( The Bed Spinner )

I like the shot

[Manta]

Geez - that was close. Thanks for the warning, Mic, that I' beginning to 'get into your mind'. It may not be too late for my therapist and I to work through this and save me before I become totally inverted and gender-confused...

I know the shot was a little off-beat but hey, that pretty well sums me up anyway. Though I'm glad you liked it, I'm not sure if it quite fits into the same genre as 'Gumnut Children and the Spider from Mars'.....

[bago100]

Thanks guys for your comments and I really appreciate your replies.

I suppose 38 views and 2 replies speaks volumes about people's opinions. Still, even if folks dont' like it, it's helpful to hear their opinions.

Hi Manta

Don't worry about the stats too much.

The fact that 38 people viewed your image is good. You should be pleased with that.

I often view images and move on without leaving a message because;

1. On some days over 500 posts occur. It is impossible to view them all, much less comment on many.
2. More often than not, what I would have said has already been said. There's no point in making a further post.
3. I have nothing intelligent or useful to say.
4. Many people don't like to offend.

Having said that, I don't particularly like your image because it makes my eyes go all watery trying to focus on it properly, but having said that, I can see why some people might like it too.

Thanks for posting

Cheers

Graham

[Manta]

Hi Graham and thanks for taking the time to make your post.

I fully understand your stance regarding replies to posted images and I agree that it's just not possible to respond to even half the number of images that end up here.

I wasn't having a whinge - merely making an observation. It's difficult for relatively new photographers, as opposed to the many professional and semi-professional photographers here, to get valuable hints and advice regarding our own images.

This forum is home to many gifted photographers. The rest of us aspire to be that but can only do so if the pros tell us what we're doing right and, more importantly, what we're doing wrong. It often seems that the people who need the least help get the most attention. Of course, they deserve praise but surely there should be a balance as well.

Just my personal view.

[leek]

You need to be patient Simon, I haven't logged on in 24 hours but here's by feedback now...

I really like it... It has an almost impressionist feel to it... I took a similar hip-shot the other day - I'll see if I can find it...

Keep experimenting...

[big pix]

I can see that blur and movement could become the flavour of the week...... have you any others......

bp

[Manta]

Thank you John and be assured I value your feedback whenever it comes.

I know a certain amount of patience comes into the equation, as does the time of day/day of the week on which you post images. Just doing the math though - you can see who's online, work out by the number of views that those peope have viewed your image at least once but you don't get one reply. That can be a bit disheartening.

I certainly didn't wish to open a can of worms here or offend anyone. I'm extremely grateful for any responses I get and I certainly try to give a comment to any image I view.

[leigh999]

Hi there Simon -

I like the look. Here are some 'shot from the hip' whilst following Byron (Tamara) down that long and winding track last weekend

http://images.fotopic.net/y8g2g3.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y8g2g5.jpg

[Justin]

Ok, here are my favourite blur photos... warning, feet in second shot

[Manta]

Hey hey! I'm not alone in the blur club!

Thanks Leigh and Justin for your contribution. At the speed Tamara was walking that day, Leigh, I'm not surprised the images are blurry!

Justin - that first shot of yours is great! Not so enamoured with the second - perhaps the feet are a bit too distracting? Otherwise - awesome.

[big pix]

Looks like the blur club is up and running ....... mmmm ..... looks like I will have to join in, don't want to miss out.......wonder if gary will set up the Blur Forum..........

bp

[the foto fanatic]

Hmmm - blur?
Here are my random thoughts on this thread:
- any picture needs to tell the viewer a story
- if you need to add a title to tell the story, the pic isn't working on its own
- in my experience, it is not that often that a dud picture can be salvaged, much as we'd all like to be able to do that
- blur, like any special effect, should enhance the image in some way, not mask deficiencies
- camera art, like all other art, is intensely personal. Sometimes, what appeals to the photographer may have no appeal to anyone else from a purely artistic viewpoint. If you are shooting professionally, that could be a problem, but if you are making your pics for your own enjoyment, then enjoy!
- when I critique an image, I try to understand the photographer's message first. I specifically try not to impose my own artistic viewpoint on the image, although I might point out a technical deficiency
-sometimes you don't have enough of a feeling one way or the other to post a critique
- sometimes you have to not care what other people think about your art!
<(escapes from pontificating mode just in time!)>

[Killakoala]

I'm stating to get dizzy reading this thread.

All the photos in this thread are what i would call, 'arty.' Which means that they could be used quite nicely in advertising 'young persons' products, like mobile phones, jogging shoes and fashion clothing.

Well done all.

[Manta]

You've made some excellent points there Trevor. Thanks.

As I said right at the outset - this was never meant to be a winning shot but just an exercise from my point of view. Of course there are going to be those who think it's crap and I welcome their input as well. I certainly don't like everyone's photos and similarly I don't expect my work to have universal acclaim, or much acclaim at all for that matter!! I post images that I like, leave off the ones I don't and maybe ther'll be some common ground amongst other members along the way. All part of the development process.

[sirhc55]

Although I am a great advocat of the ”Every Picture Tells a Story” club I am also into bylines that enhance a pics power. This comes from years of being involved in the advertising industry.

Not to place myself on any form of pedestal but my POTW of the guy outside a cafe in B&W was titled ”Lonely Breakfast” and IMO this enhanced the pic because it gave it an emotion. But, in saying that, everyone was in a position to have their own thoughts on what the image invoked in them.

I have stacks of CDs with advertising agency shots and at least 25% of them are OOF or blurred - as they say ”Every Picture Tells a Story”

[Manta]

Couldnt agree with you more Chris.

The title "Lonely Breakfast" was appropriate and meaningful. It didn't detract from the initial emotive response of the viewer but merely provided a guidepost to how you, as the photographer, viewed the piece. Would the photo have had any less appeal if you had titled it "Man with Briefcase" ? I think not. The viewer will always see an image through their own eyes and make their own interpretation. To think that adding a title somehow robs them of this ability is denigrating their intelligence, creativity and personal experience. I think the educated viewer is happy to take your interpretation on board, but will always form their own opinion and value that much more highly.

[SoCal Steve]

I've been taking some of those blur photos when I pick up the tripod and accidentally trip the shutter. Didn't know I could keep 'em. I've been throwing them back with the trash button.

[Manta]

I've been taking some of those blur photos when I pick up the tripod and accidentally trip the shutter. Didn't know I could keep 'em. I've been throwing them back with the trash button.

Nah - don't trash them Steve! As per KillerKoala's suggestion, we're going to gather them up and send off a portfolio to Nokia, Levy's, Sony, Nike and Pepsi!!

[joolz]

Hi Manta,
The problem I have with your image is that it is less motion blur from the activities of the patrons in the cafe & more blur from camera movement. For me, it subesuently imparts less of the busy feel of the cafe that perhaps you were aiming for. I realise that you are salvaging a shot, but perhaps a similar shot sot at low shutter speed braced on the table or even firmly handheld might produce predominantly activity blur, with a little bit of camera motion to blur out static background etc.

Joolz

[Manta]

Yep - good summation Joolz.

I certainly would have done that if I had planned this shot. Not to say it would have been successful but at least I would have given it a fair crack.

Thanks for your comments. Very much appreciated.