ON THE ROAD TO BETTER DREAMS

I hope my reference to the New York Times slideshows didn't sound too flattering. I was being sincere. I sometimes visit their website and like their photographers. This shot reminded me of series I saw a while ago about the homeless and also the aftermath of Katrina in New Orleans.

Guys, you are too kind. Nevertheless, I appreciate it so very much. Laurent, I have never visited the NY Times. I spend too damn much time on Pnet! Thanks to both of you.

color or black and white? that is a tough call on this one. as several have said it is equally compelling in both versions. the lines move my eye around the image in both versions. in the black and white i start with foreground. in the color i start with the building. either way it is a fine tour. you really do a great job of capturing this kind of seedy side of life.

David, another great shot documenting Americana 2008. Too bad there is no church in the back ground - or I would have awarded you the Fulitzer Price (no money with this one). $100 for better dreams? Sounds like a good deal to me. I prefer the b&w and wide angle version, btw, but both are good. Take care and keep them coming, Barb :)

David, others have said it all. You know how to dream and make it a reality.

Well, I knew I was missing something. No prize for me.

Thanks for offering up your opinion. All you guys have been really helpful to me.

So glad to see you back. I've missed you.

I like both color and BW version....I usually have a slight preference for color...for this one though I think the message is better conveyed by the BW version....I realised it's almost a clich頴hat we tend to associate "social problem" or "people in difficulty" photography with BW because BW automatically create a nostalgic mood, so I think i's always interesting to see that color could be in some sense original for such images...

 

For this particular image I think BW helps organise the image because it helps concentrate on the front element...the color appear to be distributed on the background elements which then compete with the foreground and that's the very precise reason why I think the BW is more powerful in that case....

Thanks. That is an interesting observation. Silly as this sounds, I hadn't thought about the fact that if this were meant as a lighthearted comic type of image, it would more likely be done in color, but if you wanted a more serious "documentary" image, it would be black and white.

 

Incidentally, we had a really good discussion on the use of black and white and color here: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?topic_id=1481&msg_id=00Nz2I&photo_id=6828661&photo_sel_index=0

thanks for the link, a very interesting discussion indeed....you see, among my favorite pro photographers are W. Eggleston and Harry Gruyaert who have made extensive study on color....

that's also and partly due to them that I appreciate color so much I guess...

Yes, this whole subject of color and black and white is quite fascinating. I'm sure there are some serious studies on the subject. But I get so much and such good information right here on Pnet from you guys, that I may not need to seek them out.