Walk the world

The organisation my wife works for (World Food Programme) once a year stages walks throughout the world to raise its profile. The latest was last Sunday. I was enlisted on a voluntary basis to take photos here in Colombo. I enjoyed it but it made me realise how diffcult it is to take photos of these kind of events which at the same time satisfy the organisation and one's aesthetic judgment (not to mention the difficulties shooting a fast moving event).

These are a few that might have ticked both boxes, but I'm not sure. Do any pass muster aesthetically?

NB. Click on image to see full size - PUF resizing affects the image quality (on my small screen at least).





In this case I'd normally be paying most attention to the dancer, however, the people to the right include (with the red scarf) the president's brother and local MP, Basil Rajapakse, and other officials, so it was important to get them in the frame.




Awful lot going on here but I kind of like it and it has structure, with the girls band f/g moving sideways and main march behind coming towards the camera. Though is the detail too overwhelming?




Am least convinced by this one but I like the hand rests, the bustle in the carriage and the detail through the windows. But perhaps the cropped bodies (head f/g; torso on left) wreck this shot irredeemably?




I love the way people are looking in all sorts of different directions here. Shame about the speaker.

Love the expression on the dancer's face.

"Oh no, not only do I have to dress up like an idiot, but now some nut is taking pictures of me".

Having tried to photograph the bands at Trinidad Carnival, I know how tricky it is to isolate groups or individuals. The fact that they are moving doesn't help.

I think you have to accept that it is difficult to come away with masterpieces in such a dynamic environment, but you have managed to convey the flavour of the event very well in all the pictures, and that was surely your main objective.

G

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

Gareth it was the DA17-70, so only f4 (the only thing I don't really like about this lens). I think WFP probably prefer people in focus. I know what you mean though, and from a purely aesthetic point of view you're right. You're probably right about the crops too (certainly the last, though I might not crop as much as you suggest off no.3) - I generally try to avoid long and thin, though it may well improve both of these. No problem at all re. your comments.

I do have some shots that I took more for myself than with WFP in mind, though these are yet to be processed.

Oh, most definitely the first one for me Doc! It's excellent, the dancer's expression and pose is priceless (nice and sharp too!), and he is very nicely lit. I think the people to the right add rather than detract. They give a nice sense of the occasion. And if they weren't there the dancer would be too central.

The other three are a bit busy for me, with no particular focal point. I like number 3 best out of those, I also like the lines formed by the handles. Pleasantly surprised that you also got some of the scenery out of the windows too.