On the corner

On the corner, and about to turn it, but it looks like there is still another long road ahead for this elderly looking man, whose fragility you have captured particularly well, imo. I like the way the man's profile is nicely set off by the white stone BG, as well as the many vertical elements present in your photo, & with the only diagonal being the walking cane of your main subject. Fine capture, Wieslaw! -- Best regards, Marjolein

PDE

real pretty shot …

it’s a pretty moment all right but the shot resonates a little deeper than aesthetics alone and addresses the viewer personally, a metaphor offering a measure of identification with both protagonists - I know in which side of the frame I'm leaning.

Keep on Truckin' Winslaw.

@ Carlos : Yes beyond aesthetics, I saw this as symbolic as well -- A steep and agonizing road ahead for this old man.

hi Wieslaw... the metaphor is more than the turn of the corner as in the road and in life but the descent ... it appears that once he has turned the corner he will be making his way down... the fragile chain is just foreshadowing as to what may happen to him up ahead. looks like he has help along the way though.. and better to make the journey than to remain at the corner,,, NO?

the viewer follows the light... that's what really makes this composition successful for me... it's bright at the corner, and beyond it recedes gently... as does the wall interspersed with windows... the horizontal lines of the building also show the way... carefully considered or instinctive - it doesn't matter which - every element in the frame seems to contribute to the harmony of the composition... so much to learn from your photographs, Wieslaw!

Marjolein, exactly as you observe, the man looked really weak and tired and at first I thought he might not be able to walk more than only a couple of meters. Luckily, that impression changed after a little while of watching him as it seemed that with every step he was taking he became more and more sure of himself. Thank you for your comment.

Pierre, glad you like it, thank you.

Carlos, thank you for your feedback, find it encouraging because comes from a photographer whose ability to stimulate reflection on human life in his works I admire a lot.

Samme, thanks as well, I got the feeling that the man was determined enough to continue his journey and there was even sort of a charm in his careful and slow but somehow surefooted movements:-}.

Rajat, as usual you throw some fresh light on the way I see the picture, interesting how you read the role of the light here. Thanks so much.

Best regards to you all.

it's true that the symbolism/metaphor is abundantly clear but at the same time it's also true that you've photographed a cliche. As such there is nothing wrong with that because if done well any cliche can be photographed beyond its average self. Frankly, given your nomal standards, that's what I would have expexted here but to be honest I don't think you did. First of all your composition looks way too cluttered for me, especially on the right, and a far cry from what you normally present us with. Would a different crop help? Perhaps, maybe something to try.

The second thing I don't like here is your post work. I've come to expect much more from you and certainly in this photo I think it's instrumental. If done right one would hardly notice it, as it is it kind of spoils the overall effect for me. Given that it all seems to be there I think you could do better with this photo.

the topic of cliche in photography has been well discussed also on PN forums and, as you put it aptly, the key to the success seems something that goes beyond its average self. I find the 'something' usually very tricky to define and, studying seemingly similar looking photographs and listening to different voices on the issue, the line between a cliche and a successful shot can sometimes be really thin. Taking this into account, I wouldn't like to defend this shot as being original as I'm sure sticking a cliche label to this shot with such ease is based on your firm belief it is so.

About the composition, yes, it looks a bit messy on the right of the frame and whether or not a different crop would help remains an open question. Personally I do not find it any distracting here and think trying a new, probably a tighter, crop wouldn't change the situation for the better.

I'm glad you also say so overtly about the p-p, you're a master in the field and your opinion means a lot here, I usually try several versions at this stage and choose what looks the most appropriate for the content, here the choice seemed really poor but honestly, don't think I would be able to come up with something more convincing.

thanks a lot for your critique, though not necessarily the most enthusiastic, honesty and sincerity is what I'm really looking for from my PN fellow members and find your feedback both important and helpful. Best regards to you.

yes, that's what makes it so exceedingly difficult at times. It's something we all struggle with I think and of course, I also see it in my own work regularly. As for the rest, I'm hardly a master Wieslaw but the main reason I pointed it out was because by now I know what you're capable off and therefore there's no doubt in my mind that you could to a better job here. Whether you want to revisit this one is of course a different matter.

Fred G. told me once that one has to be fairly comfortable to state what you don't like and of course he's right. On the other hand I never mind if people tell me if they don't like (part of) any of my photos as long as they explain why. I know you feel the same way.

Jack, interesting how you see it, thanks a lot.

Ton, thank you for responding back.

you're right, especially nowadays when every new photo seems a remake of something that's already been said and done. There's nothing left but staying aware of the problem, of course within the limits of common sense.

couldn't agree more here. Hope to make the most of your feedback, thanks again.

Catching up the lost youth.

Just marvelous again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you for your comment, best regards.