My LPL Round 2 entry...C&C please

[Blue in vt]

Howdy all,

As I've mentioned a couple of times I'm really just starting to explore the world of scenic photography and would love to hear your thoughts about my round two entry.  I was trying to "suggest" a group of attacking orcs (from an LPL 5 entry actually)....without them really being in focus.  When I showed this to my wife...who is an actual photographer...she hated the fact that there were blurry out of focus guys in the foreground...what do you think?  How about the general composition of the shot?  Suggestions on how it could be better?  I know that we all attempt to be positive and supportive in out LPL comments...but I'm open to honest feed back here.

Here is the picture again.



Also...for those interested I'll be posting a "studio" shot to my blog.

Cheers...and thanks for your thoughts.

Blue

PS...Mods...if this is inappropriate for some reason let me know and I'll delete the thread.

[Hawkeye]

Hi Blue,

I actually loved the suggestion of some opposing force that the dwarves were staring down - that was the sense I got from the blurred/out of focus parts in the foreground. For me, it was one of the reasons I liked the entry so much (quite apart from the beautiful painting, and the models themselves - those faces are so full of character!). The face on the second guy on the left with the crossbow, in particular, is stunning. Lovely LPL entry, this one.
So, comments, but no criticism - hope it's still helpful. Looking forward to more good stuff from you this LPL.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

 When I showed this to my wife...who is an actual photographer...she hated the fact that there were blurry out of focus guys in the foreground...what do you think?  

I don't hate it but I agree, it's a bit too much of blurry stuff there, it distracts from the essential contents.

Apart from that, very good photo job, honestly.

[Plynkes]

I really like the idea of the blurred opponents, but I don't think they should go right the way across the front. I would move them into the corners facing inwards towards the dwarfs, keeping an open space between two groups of them. That way they would frame the picture and lead the eye towards the main subject rather than distracting you from it.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

Me again. Sorry, don't want to spoil your topic, but just an example of my pic with blurred opponents:

http://leadadventureforum.com/images/lpl/s04/r10/21_Prof_Wolf_Hunting_2.jpg

Just how Dylan said, keeping an open space between the groups.

[Conquistador]

Me again. Sorry, don't want to spoil your topic, but just an example of my pic with blurred opponents:

http://leadadventureforum.com/images/lpl/s04/r10/21_Prof_Wolf_Hunting_2.jpg

Just how Dylan said, keeping an open space between the groups.

Aside - the anatomy of the bone in the hand/paw of the taller creature on the left in the back rank reflects some... odd... anatomy. Two knee type joints?

Back On Topic, yes, great idea, somewhat flawed execution.

Gracias,

Glenn

[Conquistador]

My daughter, the photography intern (proud papa syndrome) says, yes but...

Your picture had more of the feeling of being in the "on rushing battle " (my words) scene as an Orc in some ways.  

She thinks the open space focused on the main party better but the first picture was more of a sense of being involved in rushing onto the line of dwarves.

Nice work, paint and pictures.  Looking forward to more of your photos.

Gracias,

Glenn

[Dr Mathias]

It can also help to have some of the secondary group in focus- as the group recedes into the image they gradually gain focus and clarity, so there is a sense of unity. In your image there's no real way of knowing what we are missing because they're out of focus... a few closer to the dwarves, yet not overlapping, would enhance understanding of the entire scene.

[Timbor]

heh, the funny thing is I never even noticed the blurry orcs, as I was too preoccupied with the stellar paintjob 

I am no photography guru, so to my uneducated eyes it looks good.  I am not sure if you could have the orcs in focus, as you might have to widen the shot, which would zoom away from the painjobs.

Also, I noticed in a few 'scenic' entries that there were dozens of models, and I could not tell if they were all painted for the entry, or were just put there to pretty it up.   In your case, having them out of focus clearly identifies that.

[Blackwolf]

I love this scene and I like the idea,which worked,I also agree with what the others have said; I woud try to have some of the orcs out of focus and as they progress become more in focus,if you know what I mean,so you get a sense of movement and numbers. However I am a pretty awful at photography and it was the painting of the dwarves I liked so I talk much b......s.

[Braxandur]

heh, the funny thing is I never even noticed the blurry orcs, as I was too preoccupied with the stellar paintjob 

The same here 

However, after being pointed out that they are there, they sort of distract me from the main group. Which I guess was not your aim Your exploration of the world of scenic photography is however very very good. These are pictures to drool over. And you made me want to get some dwarf wizards

[Blue in vt]

Thanks a million guys....that's just the type of feedback I was hoping for. 

@Prof...thanks for the visual example...a very impressive force of snarling nasties you have there.

I will attempt to incorporate your suggestions into future pictures.

Cheers,

Blue

[dijit]

Well it's much better than anything I've pulled off so far. I'm thinking it might be more successful to have the 'bad guys' to one side in a corner and the dwarfs facing them diagonally. It might help with the felling of space, but not sure if the dwarfs would end up to cramped.
Duncan

[Bugsda]

Yeah, lose the orks they were annoying, everything else was great