No Comment (Enjoy!)

Don't worry about 'free' or 'street' shooting in the Western world. There is a proliferation of digi-cams and there are photos being taken on every street corner, every park bench, every restaurant, and indeed everywhere. Every telephone and music player also is a camera.

So, those of us with more 'serious' cameras feel some discrimination -- we're viewed more as the 'thieves' of 'aura' according to some; in fact, I joke to my sometimes assistant who brought up the 'aura theft' subject, that 'today we're going to steal someone's aura' as I go out to shoot, in recognition of the fallacy that some people believe if you take their photo, you invade and take a piece of the 'aura' that surrounds them. Maybe you can identify them as you point your camera at them for their reaction -- others are just shy.

I have a huge variety of devices, which I've written about, for disarming those people, and often they invite me to talk with them, drink with them (I refuse their beers, but thank them profusely), even kiss their girls (again I refuse), and just snap away and they LOVE the chance to view how they look on a viewfinder of a 'serious' photographer with a 'serious' camera.

Indeed, the digicam and its instant viewing has conditioned a whole generation of viewers to expect instant results and to appreciate professional looking results.

Yes, some of what you write is indecipherable, but then I think you are making poetry in your mind -- a sort of James Joycian mind in which if I could trace every reference, each would be entirely clear. You wrote an excellent critique, for example of my 'no comment' photo about the woman falling from the sky -- one of the best ever, and that makes me pay continuing attention.

I learned long ago not to dismiss someone who makes sense even if only part of the time . . . . there's genius underneath your writings . . . and I'm a former professional writer . . . some people are not . . . and others treat writing as a more abstract exercise . . . as you may.

I hope you enjoy your zooming, and hope you don''t get attacked as you use your kit in the red light zone . . . ;~)) where cameras are discouraged strongly.

In fact, there is more than one red light zone, much to the consternation of visitors, who feel there's just one.

And don't drop that dear D50 into a canal with all those bicycles, to be dredged up later--it'd be a heart breaker.

Show us some stunning photos, will you?

John (Crosley)

Got a lot of that, at least it appears from my photos -- it's really mostly intellectual energy, very concentrated for those times I go out and shoot; and I don't go out and shoot nearly as much as it appears; it's just that when I do go out, I'm hugely productive, especially in places like Paris . . . .

I'm very stimulated by Paris . . . and other 'new' places or places I haven't seen before, as I see them in an entirely new light each time I experience them afresh.

That's one reason I like to travel and shoot photographs -- it's good for the 'street' photographer in me.

I suppose if I were Karsh of Ottowa, I'd just be happy in my studio having people smoke cigarettes and lighting them darkly and harshly and gloomily and making a 'style'

I hardly have a style, or I have so many styles, except in 'street' where some things tend to repeat a little, as in this photo, but I hope they're all 'interesting', as that's the ultimate goal. Who wants to make 'dull', 'uninteresting' photographs. Such damning words to me (or I'm just covering up that I can't produce those stunningly beautiful photos others seem to turn out with regularity.)

Happy street shooting with your D50 Nikon.

John (Crosley)

I always try to give it my all; then replenish and give it my 'all' again.

I think if I have any 'charm', that is it.

Thanks for noticing.

Happy shooting.

John (Crosley)

I'd enjoy Spring if I were on a plane right now, heading to Ukraine.

However, the holier than thou staff at San Francisco Lufthansa (not the other Lufthansas, but the San Francisco Lufthansa), has just committed the worst sins -- outrageously deficient customer service that has interrupted my travel plans -- and maliciously so, aimed just at me and my cameras. Photographers beware!

I'm afraid I can recommend that if you visit the West Coast around San Francisco, you use any other carrier than Lufthansa, and for very good reason (if you write me, I'll tell you why) except that Los Angeles with the same carrier is head and shoulders above for reasons I cannot fathom.

One can only wonder at the sorry state of customer service these days . . . . I'd even rather deal with the customer (no) service people in Bangalore . . . who answer the phone every other time for my favorite airlines which says it holds me in highest esteem.

I'm a survivor, but there are those who intentionally set out to test people, and with malice. I've been tested, but friends like you and others here help me keep my head on straight and focused on the 'subjects' of my photography -- unlike the days when I practiced law and a threat of lawsuit was often on my lips (it still is, however, but I don't live for that word).

John (Crosley)

Thanks,

No thanks to the local 'German Airlines' people whose conduct was execrable, I have a new ticket to replace my 'completely useless' ticket and am behind a great deal and out a great deal of money.

Heed my advice, Olaf (and Photo.netters.) Your cameras are 'not welcome' by these 'horrid' people. (my opinion, which I believe is justly earned, as I should be sleeping now at 35,000 feet instead of writing you.)

John (Crosley)

Many viewers have remarked to me that the man on the left is in dangerous proximity to the 'falling woman'. In fact, several have suggested to me, in so many words, that his head is about to be 'cracked', if you get my drift.

Consider that if Paul Harvey's famous doppleganger, 'Argus Hamilton', were viewing this photo, that's probably what he would say (if he weren't on the airwaves).

('Argus Hamilton' is a fictional person who makes humorous statements -- thought up by Paul Harvey -- or his writers -- to insert humorous quotations into that Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster's daily broadcasts without saying they came from Paul Harvey himself.)

(If anyone has knowledge to the contrary, please post it here or write me an e-mail.)

Understand?

John (Crosley)

John, this is still a great photo.  The comments, dialog, make it fun as well.  Great eye and top ratings from me.

This always was a favorite, though hard to analyze, but fun for me and for raters, as you note.  I'm glad it's fun for you too. 

Thanks for letting me know; I hope you enjoy your wanderings through my portfolio even more.

john

John (Crosley)