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Pserna.com #271540

Why did you leave so much space above the man? I'm not saying it's wrong at all, in fact I know of a good reason for it to be there ... but I'm just wondering what put you in the frame of mind to do it.

This is also true exhaustion. I hope there are fewer chunks of brick under him than under the edge of the cardboard. Last time we went camping, I only took a thin airpad to sleep on ... it being summer and all. When I look at this man ... all I can feel is pain, emotional and physical.

pam #1540066

I at first would agree with Pam but I think I know what you were trying to do. The space gives us the despair, not the man, all that wonderful detail and decay. I do believe a square format would get you a pulitzer. Get out the Hasselbald perhaps?

Thanks for showing us this one. A wonderful shot.

John #1540927

About a year ago I went in there to explore for a photo opt, like textures, smoked walls, something like that.

When I got to the kitchen I saw this man sleeping on the floor. I wanted to keep him on the lower part of the frame to show the person as a "finding".

What I like the most about this image is the arrangement of lines, verticals and diagonals, creating a spot where the man scapes from reality to dive into his dreams for a while.

Thanks
Pserna.com #1545416

... and the Gestalt Theories say ... because the subject is so far out of balance with the background it creates even more tension. I definately felt it.

You have a way of dragging us right into someone's "personal space" ... that space where in most cultures (I've heard of exceptions) if one person gets that close to another, one or both will do something to avert attention away from the fact that they see or have been seen that closely.

That's what makes me both fascinated and uncomfortable with photographing people. I feel like sometimes the camera shows me something they didn't really intend to reveal ... especially if they didn't realize I was shooting.

Does that pull ever lessen between wanting to protect and wanting to reveal?

gotta run! battery going out.
have fun,
me

#1545472

Thanks Dana for your lines. I'm glad you felt it.

Interesting lines about "revealing or not revealing" Pam.

I know you're not a people's photographer, and now I know why, and even while this neg is several months old, I have printed it only an 8x10 proof. I hesitated about posting it, don't know why...perhaps because I felt I was intruding on someone else's misery. I don't know...finally something made me pull the print from the box to scan it and share it.

Regards
Pserna.com #1547858

All the same, I am finding it very intriguing to watch a person begin to relax and talk to me even though I have a camera in front of me. When that happens, that's when I get great pictures!

Right now I still get too involved with enjoying them to remember to use my brain's knowledge for good compositions. Way too often I forget and let the camera just run like a copy machine ... especially with people.

Sigh ... I missed my camera all day today! I finally actually handed it over for repair.

anyway ... I feel a little more sane about the conflicting feelings I have knowing that you also have some hesitations about revealing your subjects.

have fun,
me #1563634

If the purpose of art, any art, is to make the viewer “feel” something – any emotion, insight, etc. than you have certainly succeeded with this dynamic image. Having read what others have posted there is little I can add, except to say that I am moved not only by your subject, but by your obvious eye for detail and for catching the essence of your subject (POV). I took a look at your gallery and am extremely impressed. Perhaps if I have about 100 years of practice and learning I will be able to produce images of a similar quality! Thanks for the inspiration!
#1567688

Thanks Stan. I appreciate it. You know? Is important to exercise our vision and our eye by switching to a different format every once in a while. Your blad should be missing you.

Hi Pam…I got a compadre who has the same symptoms as you. He finds someone interesting to photograph, gets to talk to him/her, but at the moment of taking the pictures he forgets everything about photography. Then I step in and take a few shots myself to put him back on track. Then he’s ready to roll.

Thanks Eran…never had that many “+”s

Irene…thanks for visiting both the critique area and my gallery. I enjoyed your lines.

Thanks.
#1573237

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Pserna.com #2095715

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Protacio #2131365