We will always have Paris...

As I pull a few darts out, as expected, I do have to say that this discussion is much better

than having to look at a bunch of "new" translations of the presenter's photo. I really

wasn't picking on Dennis, as i think he had discussed quite well how he arrived at his

version. But I actually think, that because of that, I really didn't need to see the crop to

visualize where he was going, or rather coming from.

 

I think Jean-Sebastien summed it up in the word "respect". I realize that this is a forum for

improvement, but my opinion is that words are as effective as action.

 

One thing I think is interesting here and hasn't been explored, is what a particular model

brings to a photo. Here, Lannie has expressed a failing by the model of providing the

proper expressiveness for this photo. On the other hand, I have stated it is her expression

that made this photo for me. So I wonder if it is just different opinions of the expression

or is it different opinions of the model? Maybe we each have a different bias for the

"personality" here. Maybe not, but I think anytime a person is so dominant and

recognizable, that one's opinion of the photo may be more influenced by type of

personality shown than the visual elements. What experiences we have had with "similar"

people may become a larger factor than what is actually in front of us.

I don't for a minute believe that the photographer was trying to recreate in any way, the scene from the movie, but rather that feeling one has when bidding fairwell to someone with whom you have magnificent memmories. We all have our "Paris." Mine was actually that City of Light, but the memory this photograph brings forth could easily have been San Francisco, or Strawberry Point, Iowa. It worked for me in a most profound way. Now in my 75th year, I look back at my youth spent in that wonderful city and my first loves. Thanks for bringing back so vividly those stirring memmories, Jean-Sebastien Monzani. For me personally, it is a very nice Christmas gift.

I suggested (not recommended) the crop for the purpose of DISCUSSION and provided an EXAMPLE specifically because of DISTRACTING ELEMENTS in the photograph WHICH I LISTED. For me there is no story contained in the photograph, except for the one that is implied by the title. There was also no loss of time and place caused by cropping because there was no visual information that provided it. The time and place is the product of the viewers imagination.

 

As for the model, she is much too young for the kind of poignant reflection we remember in the movie Casablanca. She is more likely to be thinking about what club she is going to tonight or what nail polish to wear.

 

In regards to just pissing around because I can and will; guess what, I am just pissing around today because I feel like it. It is not because I lack full command of my thoughts and senses as has been thoughtfully implied.

Don't understand all the raving - just an average pic of a pretty girl - I prefer the one at http://www.jsmonzani.com/photo.php?picID=16 with the cigarette and the lips giving the promise of smokey breath and lung disease.

Sadly I kind of agree...she looks like she needs another 20 years of life before she should be looking back at anything. Not for who she is or what she has experienced but because the title demands I empathise with her. All I see is a young gorgeous stranger looking meaningfully over her shoulder. Life's a struggle and never gets any easier and she doesn't know it yet.

"Sadly I kind of agree...she looks like she needs another 20 years of life before she should be looking back at anything." Richard Watts

Don't agree. It is not so straightforward. "We will always have Paris" feeling comes from the viewer's experience, not from the girl's on the pic.

 

Here is the transcription from the movie:

 

Ilsa: But what about us?

Rick: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.

 

But what is interesting for me is that I've never seen the movie and didn't understand the title until someone mentioned it. But the feelings are much the same - the memories of lost love. I don't know exactly how it came to me. Maybe because she's so young. Compliment to the author who could transfer this feeling into the image.

Someone on the author's potfolio page mentioned that his images show some kind of poetry he managed to express through his photos. That's very true.

Regards,

molto bello lo scatto complimenti

I'm breathless!!! I love this image. Could not stop looking it. Congratulations! I really want anytime to be able to do something like this image.

Wow, you guys are cynical!

I don't agree with any of the nay-sayers here. Jean-Sebastien, this is one of my favorite images on Photo.net. This is more than just a portrait to me. It's not just about the girl, it's a mood that you are capturing, and whether these critics want to admit it or not, you've captured the mood in a very eloquent and unspoken way. This image is the sum of it's parts and that is what makes it so effective. A simple cropped portrait of the girl changes the artistic vision behind this image completely and is far less effective than your presentation. The birds are critical to the success of this image as they appear to be symbolic of the girl's thoughts. As for the DOF discussion, these critics need to stand back and look at the artistry of the image and forget about the 'rules' of camera physics. You have used selective DOF in a masterful way to draw the eye through the photograph without distraction in the unimportant framing areas. This is an outstanding image and well worth the POW! I would have expected a much more insightful discussion about your artistic uses of negative space and creative DOF in the success of this image than a critique based on the physical camera DOF charachteristics. Once again, congratulations on the POW and for being recognized here with this outstanding image!

 

-Mike

Very very worthwhile of all the attention and awards...Congratulations on an outstanding photograph

This is great. Beautifully lit. And I love the clouds and the the birds -- they really make the shot.

Like this a lot ! See my pics