Convenience Store

A very cool discussion, everyone. I think there's an orthogonal relationship between aesthetics and message. That is, a photo can have a great message and be a bad photo. A photo can be a pretty and pleasing to look at, but say nothing. As Kirk mentioned, if a photo doesn't hold some visual interest, it won't linger long enough to induce the viewer to think about it. I compare it to literature. A book may have an important message, but be poorly written. Knowing me, I'd quit reading and never get around to the message. Other books are well-written, but say little. I would probably keep reading just because I enjoy words, but would likely not pay attention to content or reread the book.

 

 

I'm degenerating to word salad. I really appreciate your thoughts. It makes me stop and reflect on the "why" and "why bother" behind this interesting hobby of ours.

After reading all that has been said.

 

I humble myself.

 

I, as an 18 year old went on a cruise and we traveled to many places including San Juan (whoo hoo) and then Haiti. It changed my life.

 

I see this and it reminds me about how the VIVID colors were just that and then the sadness that I saw was there to.

 

I humble myself because I am so selfish eating out at $15 meals and sad because I can't drive because of a medical condition.

 

I humble myself because I am spoiled and yet these people live still in a world of color when they have next to nothing yet I live in a world of darkness when I focus sometimes on the things I don't have or the things I want but don't need.

 

Thank you! ~ micki

 

Thank you to all who wrote something.

I think there's an orthogonal (I have no idea what that means, but it sounds like the endive of your word salad so I figured I'd use it - LOL) relationship between craft and message. Esthetics, to me, is to be found in that relationship.

Does esthetics make a message palatable or is the message and the manner of communication inextricably linked?

I think, for example, in your current photo, it is not as if there is some distinctly existing message that you have chosen to palatably communicate. Rather, as I see it, your choice of palatable communication has created the message (one that includes non-exploitation). It's not that a different way of handling this photo or the rendering of what you call a bad photo would not communicate this message effectively or interestingly or in a way that grabs you. It would communicate a different message.

The subject matter might remain the same throughout a good or bad photo or different kinds of treatment, but the message changes as our sensory response to the subject matter changes based on the way the craft is used or applied. That, to me, is esthetics.

By the way, I wouldn't pursue this if I didn't find it enlightening and potentially enriching as to how we approach creating our photographs. I think (hope?) we agree that it's about more than words. It's very much about whether and how we not only communicate but also create our messages.

Micki: You're a sweetheart. I always look forward to your thoughts and feelings. I can always find things to complain about and to feel blessed about. It's a matter of perspective and focus. I'm usually a glass half-empty sorta guy, but I'm working on being glass half-full person. Perhaps the glass is refillable.

 

 

Fred: I think discussing these matters is life itself. In the absence of meaning, this hobby seems like an expensive, indulgent waste of time. That's just me, though. I think I'm an existentialist at heart. Thanks for spurring on a lively and yes important discussion. You're presence always requested at the table.

7/7 life shot, 6 colours blue..

I think it is just survival in a fixed environment. Having more or less does not ensure happiness. Best wishes. Vicente.

hi jeff,

i can't say as much as the other do you this pic but what i can say is, that i like it. very nice colours and a good composition. like the documentary character of your shot.

kind regards

hubert

Jeff, this is beautiful... and wonderfully captured! This image is not shocking at all to me.... Rather, it is a beautiful, very familiar scene to me, and this evokes nostalgia in me. A nostalgia for my youthful days when I used to work/travel to this sort of places.....

It's really nice to read through the informatory comments. You captured a really nice moment here. For my part, I am pleased to discover new stories, by looking at it over and over. I like the gesture of the trustfully leaning (content)woman. Technically it's focus, dof, colors leave nothing to be desired. Regards - Hasan

The colours are truly wonderful and you've captured the atmosphere of the scene very nicely. I just wonder whether you could have get a bit closer to your subjects to focus more on the people on the scene, perhaps doing an environmental portait of them so that we get the feeling that we get to know them a little more.

Many thanks for your constant support and your frequent comments on my photos. I'm using less often the site these days, so I haven't been commenting this frequently on yours.

Many regards

Andreas

Vladimir: Thanks for taking the time to count all the shades of blue!

 

 

Vicente: Agreed. I think we all try to survive in the circumstances we are dumped into. The circumstances alone don't guarantee happiness or sadness.

 

 

Hubert: It was a fun bus trip back to the airport, which unfortunately resulted in just a few workable shots. Nevertheless.... Thanks.

 

 

Brad: Being on the inside and looking in from the outside are two different experiences. It's nice to hear from someone who has been in both roles.

 

 

Hasan: Thanks for your comments regarding the overall feel and the technical details. I know you attend carefully to such things.

 

 

Andreas: This was taken from a bus window, so it was about as close as I could've come. I'm glad whenever I see your name pop up because your photos are so unique and inspiring. Wishing you well.

about a quarter of mile from my house reside two persons, they live underneath a bridge that spans a bayou in Houston, Texas. There they are until some reports them to the police and they move or until the next flood and they move. They have been there for almost a year. I photograph street people which seem to be much more common here in this part of the country now then they were a few years ago, at least here in Houston, Texas. We do not have travel far to find poverty and despair.

Poverty is universal. The haves and have-nots aren't so divided as folks would like to imagine. Having spent my early years working in the state hospital system in San Antonio, I became acquainted with many homeless, mentally ill, desperately poor people who scraped out a living under bridges and overpasses and on hustling on street corners. The stories they told.... At first, it seemed like a different world. And then I began to notice that thin line that holds me in my little world. That thin line on which is inscribed, "But for the grace of God go I." A line that upon deeper exploration seems horribly unfair. Why should I live in grace, while others clearly do not?

 

 

Thanks for the depth of your comment. You are right that there's no need to travel anywhere but down the street to find people in need.

I really love this reportage kind of work!!

 

Here in my country these kind of images are very common, very touching no doubt!

 

Regards, Rakesh

But, the image itself manages to touch deep inside. I quickly browsed some of the comments and I do agree on the thougt about how fragile this kind of life must be. I mean, if there is a bad day at the store, where do people get the food to serve to their family? Very fine visualization of the way how people manage to live in many of the 3rd world countries.

 

Alpo

Rakesh: Thanks. I didn't really see anything of interest to report here, but it did seem like a slice of life.

 

 

Alpo: Not Macy's. People find ways of making do. Thanks so much.

Technically I love how well exposed and balanced this image is. There is a lot to be noticed visually, lots of details and life clues and a bunch of wonderful colors that you surprised in a great manner. I wish the woman in orange would have been included completelly in the image.

 

Since this was taken from a bus window, I imagine that me screaming out the window, "Move over so I can get you in the shot" may have interrupted the magic. I have a whole gallery of people missing heads, feet, hands, and so forth. It looks like a sideshow at a carnival. Thanks so much for stopping by.

An exemplary document generating very interesting thoughts and discussions concerning the desperate gap between rich & poor populations. The lower part of the image shows the pessimistic side of the situation. The upper part let us think that better future or places are possible. Is there some dream and hope for the young man? Ciao, Alx

You do such a nice job making me feel like my shots are compositional triumphs (when they are actually happy accidents). Thanks immensely.