3200 x 5 illustrations

I'm spending every day in this room, and I wanted to capture a photo that told the story of what a massive job this is -- to judge a 5-illustration sequence x 3200 submissions and select approximately 80 for the upcoming juried show. But I find the end result to be totally flat, and not telling the story effectively. My own analysis is that I would have been better off having removed the two light fixtures at the jury table as they seem to interrupt the view. Another thing I could have done was to add some people in the background, looking at the images in order to breathe some "life" and perspective into this picture. Beyond that, I'm throwing my hands in the air and asking for help. What would you suggest to make this picture more interesting?

[Synke]

I think having some people in the photo would definitly been good for the storytelling part. Not sure what lence you are using but going into the tele zoom e.g. 50 mm will give a scene like this more 3Dish feel vs. a wide angle makes it rather flat. I hope this makes sence?

[Junko Y]

@synke -- that makes so much sense! I am using a wide angle and it definitely makes it look FLAT. I never knew that using my regular 24-70 would make it more 3D. Tomorrow, I'll try that lens. And putting people in the photo. THANKS very much for the tips!

[❀ Lynn]

That sounds like a massive undertaking! I can see there are so many tables, presumably with all kinds of submissions on them. I wonder if upping the saturation might help.

[Taffy]

I agree with both your ideas -- removing the lights and adding people. I also think the shot 'distances' the viewer from the work. What if you moved in a bit, with some people in the foreground at work, but create the feeling of massiveness by having the tables "spill off" the sides of the pages (you could do that by cutting just a tiny bit of the table to have it come off the edge. I think the issue is balancing the idea of the massiveness of the task with needing something to focus on. Another thought is more at the book level looking back into a fading sea of tables that convey that they go on forever. But, bottom line, a great place to start with the 'story' you want to tell!

[Laurie Higgins]

Adding a person would give the photo a focal point for sure. Using the 50 mm lens is an excellent suggestion, especially if you added a person. When you focus on the person in the foreground, the depth of field becomes really sweet. It's a great diary photo, though.

[Pam]

Wow! That is a huge job! I think a few people in the shot would add a lot. I still get the feeling of massive paperwork going on here.

[Junko Y]

@synke @lauriehiggins @pammerritt @taffy -- thanks for your suggestions! I tried all of them today -- changed to my regular zoom lens from wide angle, let tables "spill off" the sides of the photo, moved more to book level with fading sea of tables in back, upped the saturation, and added people (except I don't want to post photos of people without permission). Posted it on Jan 16. THANKS !!!