arthuryeo Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 A recent visit to the famous Pike Market in downtown led me to a street performance. Within minutes, this <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/898406">man</a> stood out like a shining gem in the crowd. I walked up to him to within 3 feet and fired off one shot for the sake of his T-shirt and his size. Does it evoke any emotion? Did I include enough context? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valleye Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 There was no point in even making this photo. I see nothing but a billboard on his back. You see it you move on. No emotion. Sorry I think it fails. Get some faces or have a reason for shooting with out them. Fear is not a good reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_dewberry Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 Very gutsy move, shooting someone in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duolian Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 I don't think you necessarily have to have a subject's face visible in order to make a photo of a human figure evocative or to capture a feeling. Look at these: <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/479787">silhouette</a> / <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/906886">from the back</a>. However, this shot doesn't work as well as it could because whatever made this guy stand out doesn't show. Was he in a row of "normal-looking" tourist types? If so, you need some of them to be visible to show his contrasting look. Also, his tattoos are an important part of his overall apearance - you cut them off. Finally, his bald pate might have been emphasized if you had gotten down a little and shot up, so that there was a less cluttered background behind his head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dford Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 I know just how you feel. Over coming fear to get the shot takes intestinal fortitude. Only a scant couple of hours had past since this individual through a fit like none I had ever seen. Arms flailed, legs kicked and I swear I saw their head rotate completely around several times. I was cautious, approached quietly and pressed the shutter... <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/image-display?photo_id=908334&size=lg">link</a> <br><br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_mackay Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 I think it is quite powerful, for more reasons than I have time to write about in this venue. I don't know how I would use it as part of a project but I like it. No photograph is pointless. If you are displeased later, to quote Lee Friedlander, "throw it away, or don't print it." Keep shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valleye Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 Like I said Dave. Have a reason for not including faces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd frederick Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 I know that guy and he's looking for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthuryeo Posted July 28, 2002 Author Share Posted July 28, 2002 To those who really care about the quality of their critiques and to educate others, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But, to others, who have made their marks with no such noble intentions, you have certainly conjured disappointment --- in its purest form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 for me, it doesnt invoke much. it looks like what you said you did.you walked up and shot a pic of his back.....the interest stops there for me.... i cant really give you advice on how to shoot, other thanjust keep shooting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
struan_gray Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 This looks to me like a low-budget advert for the T-shirt. That's not a snide comment, just a reflection of what you're giving me to see: a large bald biker doing and wearing what I expect large bald bikers to do and wear. There are no revelations of character or quirky things that don't fit, so there's not much to hold my attention once I've registered the scene. I don't do this sort of thing, but to me it seems that you are still at the stage of thinking about what you are photographing. Keep going, and you'll start to think more and more about how you photograph people like this. How, that is, you can turn something interesting in front of the lens into something interesting in front of your viewers. It'll come, if Todd doesn't hand out your home address first :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd frederick Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 I rather like the photograph. The people clutter in the background is a bit distracting and the photo would be much stronger for me if there were some shining bikes in the frame...that would add context. As I have expressed previously, I share the fear many have in doing this type of photography. My comment above is a "joke" in that regard...that is, you never really know who doesn't want their photo taken. Now days I think retaliation is a serious concern. I think a good thread regarding techniques with working with strangers on the street would be very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_jacobs1 Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 It was kind of already said earlier in here... but to quote what you originally wrote, 'Within minutes, this man stood out like a shining gem in the crowd'. It seems to me that what made this guy interesting enough to you to take a picture had a lot to do with the crowd surrounding him. I think that's where this photo may mean more to you, than us. You still have the memory of the crowd to superimpose this photo upon, and we don't. I just see another bald headed guy in a Harley t-shirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond_tai Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 The only time I shoot someone in the back is when s/he is not the subject.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emre Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 <i>The only time I shoot someone in the back ...</i><p>Hehehehe... I am sorry, I simply had to laugh... but seriously, it is perfectly alright to shoot someone from the back. It can be used to connote solitude, calmness, introspection, etc. Your picture was a great example! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond_tai Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 Emre, Perhaps you are right since I don't appear to follow my own rule in this case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthuryeo Posted August 2, 2002 Author Share Posted August 2, 2002 Actually, if my memory serves me right, I saw some of HC-B's photos that had his main subjects back turned towards the camera but like always, his shots have a clear theme and provides a very good context to support the main ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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