Please look at the picture full size against a grey background.
I often describe three different categories of candid picture. The first category is a stage or a backdrop usually without human interest, it’s rather dull and lacking anything to say photographically.
The second category is a stage with human interest, not necessarily a person. It is a picture that has been well composed and thought out.
The third category takes all the best attributes of the second level and adds a further dimension, that of putting emotion in to a picture frame. The picture now speaks directly to the viewer in a real and powerful way. The last category will combine the best skills of the photographer and printer to give the picture clarity of vision or a dominant element to tell the story the photographer wishes to tell.
The difference in any of these categories may only be a second or two when the shutter is released but it is the decisive moment that counts.
Anticipation and patience are key for those who do candid photography.
This picture mine above called “Enigma” would have been boring as hell if it only contained the bench seating.
A big hello to all the new followers of my little blog this week.
(c) Andy Beel FRPS 2012
Andy Beel FRPS 
Hi Andy, I agree that the silhouette of the person adds that extra dimension to the shot but i keep finding my eye pulled to the bench on the very right hand side, wishing that there was more bench, to me it feels like the bench has been truncated too much. It would have been nice to have the complete curve of the outer radius. Just my thought.
Russ
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Hi Russ I see where you are coming from – thanks for the comment. Andy
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I agree with Russ to an extent, though to include more would, in my opinion, too severely sever the line it creates with the background bench. I’m not sure what the emotion would be, perhaps a bit melancholy, with some reprieve offered by the smooth curve of the bench.
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Hi RD sometimes the words and the pictures are not perfectly matched, post just evolve!! Thanks for commenting. Andy
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Excellent post! Thank you for sharing!
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Hi Adrian thanks for the appreciation. Andy
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Very true words.
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Hi Lesley sometimes I get the words right, sometimes the picture, rarely in the same post. Andy
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Again another great post that invites us to really think about our work and that of others. Our perceptions…….
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Hi James thanks for the appreciation. Andy
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Love the lines int his one man. I don’t think this needs anything else. Not enough room in the frame without making it to busy and detracting from the balance.
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Hi Aaron I see where you are coming from, thanks . Andy
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I find this is a very satisfying image. The bench provides an effective frame and the figure is well placed – I assume it’s you, Andy. Well crafted and processed.
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Hi Andy yes it was me in a cold Newhaven, thanks for the appreciation. Andy
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