'Two Pairs of Eyes'

Much is unclear and indistinct in this visually challenging photo

EXCEPT the contrasting dark face and eyes of the Eastern Orthodox

Priest, right corner and the light face and eyes of the mannequin, upper

left, all set outside and inside a store window, on a fashionable street.

Your ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate

harshly or very critically, please submit a helpful and constructive

comment; please share your photographic knowledge to help improve

my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

I love the contrast in your shots!

In English the word 'contrast' has two different meanings.

One is 'contrast' in the visual sense, meaning 'contrast' between black and white, with varying degrees of grays, e.g., visual contrast.

Another is 'contrast' in the sense of 'variety'; contrast can be meant here that you like the difference between the individual photos that I take and/or post.

In other words, I may take and/or post contrasting photos indicating I post a variety of photos or a large 'contrast' of photos or 'contrasting' subjects.

So, I'm a little interested in which sense of the word 'contrast' you meant -- 'variety' or 'visual contrast'.

Interesting subject, considering everything I post.

john

John (Crosley)

Unexpectedly, the more I see this one, the more I am struck by how 'interesting' and how hard to attain this shot is, with its two faces rendered clearly, eyes and all, while everything else seems pretty much a jumble, AND both are presented in the frame somewhat symmetrically, for the planned good composition. 

This was a very hard task to achieve, given that the priest, right, wouldn't allow a camera to be pointed at him directly without turning away, so the photo had to be taken using the 'scan' exposure mode.

By 'scan mode' I mean by pointing the photo up and to the left, then lowering it gradually or in one or more frames more swiftly until his face was properly in its place in the frame (and the mannequin in its), then at the proper time tripping the shutter -- a very hard trick to accomplish, especially when one is trying ONLY to get the two faces and has NO time to aim and focus, just point camera up and rather quickly start moving it down, then SNAP the shutter release when it gets in the right position.

Then to disguise one's actions, keep lowering camera and lens, still looking through the viewfinder, as though engaged in an exercise, rather than taking 'actual photos' as here.

It's a trick that actually works rather well, as well also as the gimmick of placing a figure toward the edge of the frame in a very wide or ultra wide angle photo in a place where an edge-of-frame subject might not think a camera lens would capture him (as here, I think), thus including that person when the person does not expect he/she is being captured.

Any way that works; that's the way to do it, so long as it harms no one.

In photojournalism, there's much less thought given to the 'no harm' rule, as people are presumed to be able to look out for themselves, especially when one approaches a combat situation.

john

John (Crosley)

Thank you for clarifying the issue of what constitutes 'contrast'.

In fact, I had given you two choices to define 'contrast' but in fact you were drawn to a third choice.

I guess that will teach me not to assume too much on the part of other intelligent viewers, such as yourself.

I happen more and more to like this photo, and more and more consider this to be one of my better (and more unusual) photos.

Thanks again for 'setting me straight'.  (meaning 'clarifying your point of view')

john

John (Crosley)

Besides being a photo of composition and 'street' this also is a photo of contrasts.

How many do you see?

There are reasons why 'simple' photos like this that do not get high rates, nevertheless seem to get 'good views' even if they seem at first 'puzzling' and more 'difficult than usual to view'.

In fact, this is quite a complex photo, I think.

john

John (Crosley)

I like the moment.

The visual contrast is a bit to much for me.

I agree that the visual contrast is 'way overboard', and this photo is very hard to view.

On the other hand, it's the only way the photo can be presented and have any meaning.  

Sometimes you have to play the best hand (of cards) that you have been dealt.

Frankly, I think I did OK, considering the unlikelihood of getting ANYTHING from this circumstance (you should see the OTHER captures -- they were AWFUL).

;~))

john

John (Crosley)