• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

The "Original Blues Guy"

© John Caruso

The "Original Blues Guy"

Uploaded: October 04, 2006 12:12:06

Description

1/50 at f/5.0; Lens 16-35; Focal Length 26; ISO 200

I was photographing a Tow Zone sign on Clark Street in Chicago when a voice startled me. "Pho-tog-raph-y!" the man bellowed, nearly making me jump into the street. I turned, and this fellow was staring at me. He pointed to the "Blues Chicago" night club just over his shoulder and proudly proclaimed he was "The Original Blues Guy." He told me he'd pose for some photos. As I shot, he said he hasn't played for a while because he lost his harmonica. I don't know if he ever played at all, but he was a great character. I gave him a few bucks, and we both went away happy.

Comments

R. M. Jenkins October 04, 2006

First, what a wonderful story! Second, it's amazing the people you meet when you have a camera in your hand. Just think... if you weren't photographing something you'd never would have met this interesting person... now, I wonder where his harmonica went? Third... the tones and b/w look amazing. #534196

John Caruso October 04, 2006

R.M.-
Thanks so much for your comments. I agree that having a camera in hand really gives us myriad opportunities. This guy was a real hoot. I got so many great shots of him, it was hard to pick just one. As an aside, his fingers were splayed like that because, at that moment, he was playing air guitar while posing. #3407536

Mitch Spence level-classic October 23, 2006

Oh, I really love this one too. I've truly enjoyed wandering through your gallery. #3490469

John Caruso October 23, 2006

Mitch--

Thanks again for taking a look. I appreciate your kind words, and am glad you like the gallery. #3490650

Melissa G. Meiselman November 01, 2006

Amazing portrait with awesome conversion into black and white...terrific lighting and composition, John!!! #3532811

John Caruso November 01, 2006

Thanks so much, Melissa. It was one of those that felt "right" the moment I pressed the release. #3533617

Sibylle Basel level-deluxe November 01, 2006

Hi John!!
Great, Great shot! And I love the story behind it. It is amazing the people you meet. I love this shot!
I hope all has been well with you.
Sibylle :o) #3533906

John Caruso November 02, 2006

Sibylle--

So good to hear from you again. I'm so pleased you liked it--and I think the story does add a certain something. Thanks for looking. #3537022

Vicki Hunt November 04, 2006

This really is wonderful! #3544893

John Caruso November 06, 2006

Vicki--

Thank you very much! I appreciate it. #3551820

Bob Cammarata November 20, 2006

Hello John,
I came across this photo on Sharon D.'s thread of October hopefulls.

I think this is a true masterpiece of urban artistry.
The personality and style of this "Blues Guy" is immediately self-evident...even without the interesting story in the caption.

I applaud you for what will most likely be recognized among the winning photo entries for October.

Bob

#3609235

John Caruso November 20, 2006

Bob--

You make me blush with your very kind and encouraging words. Thank you so much for taking a look and for your comments. #3609254

Brian Lobdell November 21, 2006

John, I agree with Bob and echo his sentiments! When I saw this there was an instant feeling of a "life" that was captured here. The black and white medium is overlooked so much of the time anymore - until we see a mesmerizing image like this. Truly a gallery exhibition piece! #3612392

John Caruso November 21, 2006

Brian--

I truly appreciate your comments. It certainly was one of those instances when it felt like all the planets just lined up and I was simply glad to have been there when it happened. #3612776

Colette M. Metcalf November 23, 2006

Congratulations, John!! #3621204

Mitch Spence level-classic November 23, 2006

Very well deserved. Congratulations! #3621919

John Caruso November 23, 2006

Thanks Colette and Mitch. I feel quite honored. #3622995

Kenneth Mucke November 27, 2006

Congrats John on your well deserved winner #3636093

Sylvia Rossler November 27, 2006

YOur favourite made it !! Big congrats on your win John :o) #3636391

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic November 27, 2006

Congratulations on your second place winner. #3636627

John Caruso November 27, 2006

Kenneth, Sylvia, and Kay--

I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much. #3636655

Donna W. Neal November 27, 2006

Congratulations on your well deserved Winner John #3636739

John Caruso November 27, 2006

Thanks, Donna. I'm still reeling. #3637326

Holly Shao November 27, 2006

John, this is GREAT, and congratulations on your Win!! Love the details and the B&W tones.

Holly #3637490

John Caruso November 27, 2006

Holly--

I appreciate your comments. #3637634

Melissa G. Meiselman November 27, 2006

John, this is a fantastic street portrant and a most deserved win!! Congratulations!!! #3637803

Janine Russell level-deluxe November 27, 2006

John, congratulations on your Second Place Winner! #3638157

John Caruso November 27, 2006

Melissa--

It's so nice to hear from you. Thanks for your well wishes! #3638516

John Caruso November 27, 2006

Janine--

Thank you very much. #3638518

Sibylle Basel level-deluxe November 27, 2006

Hi John!
Congratulations on your winning shot!!!

Sibylle :o) #3639257

John Caruso November 27, 2006

Sibylle--

It's so great to hear from you again. Thank you for your well wishes! I appreciate it very much. #3639375

Chris Budny level-deluxe November 28, 2006

John, congratulations on this fantastic win! Talk about story-telling in the photo! #3642183

John Caruso November 28, 2006

Christopher--

Thanks a lot! I appreciate your comments. #3642711

Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 28, 2006

Congratulations on your SECOND place win!! Excellent portrait, great story! #3644015

John Caruso November 29, 2006

Thank you very much, Donna. #3645691

Jimmy Bhogal November 30, 2006

Excellent work John ! Truly a winner in all respects ! A very strong Image!!!

Regards- jimmy #3652811

John Caruso December 01, 2006

Jimmy--

Thanks for your kind words. #3653617

Sherrye Nozaki December 16, 2006

Great story and Great photo! Very cool:) Congratulations. #3709079

John Caruso December 16, 2006

Sherrye--

Thanks for taking a look. I'm glad you liked it! #3710219

Debbie E. Payne January 02, 2007

John -- This is a great street shot! You have something that I admire - you've transformed that ability to interact with strangers into a fantastic shot! I aspire to be able to take shots of people but haven't gotten over that hump of approaching strangers to "ask for the shot". Any helpful tips? How lucky you were to have been approached.

I have enjoyed your gallery. Found your site after reading your testimonial of Brenda's class which I enrolled in yesterday. #3771848

John Caruso January 02, 2007

Thanks, Debbie, for your feedback. As for approaching others, I'm still a bit on the shy side myself. As you said, it was lucky that I was the one being approached! As for helpful tips, I think the best one is to just be open and to smile. A smile goes a long way toward making others feel at ease. Thanks again! #3771893

Jane M January 07, 2007

Apologies for the late congrats John (I missed the Oct winners). This is just so fantastic in it's originality. You have sucessfully given the viewer a real sense of his character through the whole comp and his expression. It's superb! #3793251

John Caruso January 07, 2007

No apologies needed, Jane! I appreciate your comments very much. Thank you. #3793340

Kate Jackson January 17, 2007

What a great opportunity came up for you John and you certainly didn't let it slip and came up with the goods! Belated congratulations! #3829143

John Caruso January 17, 2007

Thank you very much, Kate. It's always a great feeling when things all fall into place so nicely. Thanks again! #3829738

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

2

You & 2

Love It!
BetterPhoto.com All Time Best Photo Contest Editor's Pick BetterPhoto.com Photo Contest SECOND PLACE Winner


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to John Caruso.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.