Images from Anatolia - 3

I think this has been an interesting discussion and maybe raises some questions.

Michael is certainly right here pointing out that this doesn't exhibit the feeling of a wide angle lens, in fact, the lens and camera combination don't particularly present a very wide angle view but can also yield the equivalent of a short telephoto. The compression of the background and the absence of some massive hands are a clue that we are probably somewhere in the normal to a bit longer range.

The treatment of the background isn't an issue for me in the absolute. Out of focus helps us focus on the subject while the man over the shoulder on our left may have oddly merged with our subject if in better focus. The apparent darkening of the background could also be viewed as a device to help us focus more on the subject, but I do think that there appear to be some "misses" in the masking at his collar behind his head--these sorts of halos are always distracting, IMO--even when they seem to be organic.

But then we do have some very nice colors and details and a nice composition as well. A little slice of life that has been well captured. But seriously, isn't it a sort of a boring slice of life--a man reading a paper?!? I guess he has a funny hat on (to a westerner) and you don't see those glasses tethers very often and he is certainly old and textured. Other than that--is that really enough?--this is the sort of illustrative image I could see as useful in some sort of series or as an illustration to some editorial or something of that sort. An image that needs to be supported to give it much meaning beyond the obvious--there is no irony or interesting juxtaposition. I have never doubted that people in foreign countries can read and have newspapers or dress differently and get old-just another day in Starucks (they are everywhere it seems), so, let's move on..........

John, I think there is a parallel here with our contrasting opinions about landscapes. I generally like artistic or aesthetically pleasing photos of landscape, even if that landscape is relatively common and not a "glory-to-the-heavens" dramatic landscape. From previous posts, I don't think you share my interest in common landscape photos. I see the same here. Yes, it's just a man reading a paper. There is no irony or interesting juxtaposition; it's just an ordinary slice of life. But I still find a lot of interest in this little slice of life, especially because I think Mehmet has presented it well. You have a higher standard than I regarding when a landscape or portrait photograph crosses the threshold of being interesting, and I think that simply reflects our different backgrounds in photography and in our life experiences. I'm sure that some variation of our different tastes and standards and the sources of those differences extend to others who have contrasting opinions regarding this photo. I read those with interest because I always learn something when someone has a contrasting view (e.g., Fred and Michael above).

John, it is certainly true that the man over the shoulder in the background might have oddly merged with the head of the main reader. Most good photos have their challenges. The challenge here would be to handle that juxtaposition (precisely what you said you were looking for) in a visually interesting way. Given the distance between them and the drop off in lighting, I can imagine several ways of handling it so that it would suggest a visually interesting story that might add depth to the photo and not become a confusing mass, which would, indeed, be unfortunate.

Have to disagree with you Stephen Penland.
So...it's simply a man reading....and the coffee shop is just a nuisance rather than a reality that justifies vignetting it out? IMHO, the intensity of a man reading would have held its own without the vignetting. The shallow depth of field alone isolates the subject. Frankly I don't think the blurred background feels unnatural. Are YOU implying the blur is a photoshop effect? - I don't think it is...maybe I'm wrong.
Frankly, the vignetting itself looks forced and done sloppily.

Phineas, the blurred background is probably not a digital alteration, but it's also not natural (with natural being defined as how the eye sees the scene). I'm not sure if you're complaining about photoshop effects because they are not natural or simply because they are photoshop effects. Whether the vignetting has been applied in a sloppy manner or in an appropriate matter is, I guess, subjective, because I tend to like the enhanced visual focus on the main subject.

Looks like it was done with 2 lights. One camera left and low and the other camera right and high. Look at the shadows.

following the discussion is very fascinating, and I have to admit that you can learn a lot about photographic core rules and surely there are some opinions with perplexing conclusions. But apart from all of this, I think every photo has very special meaning to the individual because it is associated with personal values and experiences. For me as a compatroit of Mehmet the old man looks like one of the archteypes who helped building up the Turkish Republic, even if that cannot be at all because that was in 1923. Anyway, he is one of that fearless heroes, with this confident aura. Therefore if the title would be "korkutamaz", which you can read on the newspaper, than it would fit very well, because that means "cannot frighten him", even if torn out of the context. Congratulations to the "Photo of the Week". Selamlar, Burak

Congratulations! This is a great street photography work, very well done. I like it very much.
Sebastiano

The photo has to be seen large, the details of the man and the BG are seen better(and on my monitor he is well separated from the shallow BG). For me it has a lot of components in the area I live around.The man is very interested in the newspaper as news is a strong need in the middle East...it is a nice portrait,his face are nice and interesting, it is well exposed, the BG hints about the place he seats at, and for me it tells the story. Congratulation Mehmet !

Context certainly has significance and I think Burak's comments might shed another light on this image, at least to those who are connected to the that history. It certainly can make this image more loaded than the casual viewing of it as an outsider.

Stephen, I think that what I was trying to point out here is something I have said before, sometimes an image is just what it is. That doesn't make it a bad photograph, in fact, I do think this is a well made image. As I said above, it is well composed, has nice light and color and has a very crisp feel to it. I personally have no issue with the decisions that were made with the treatment of the background (except as I suggested as to the masking or artifacts left). To me, this treatment, DOF, is rather common with close up images and I think it defines the subject well. I personally don't find it a diminution of anything else except to the point that this man is the subject and has primacy. But everyone has different interests and predilections regarding how images are treated. If we were looking at this done differently, my comments would probably be different.

The image is not unpleasing in any way to me, it just is what it is and once I have looked at it, I move on. I do think it could be an effective image in certain contexts and even more so with the insight that Burak has given us. But a very well done photograph doesn't make it a great photograph--in the higher sense of the word. It can certainly be enjoyed, and should be, for what it is. Given a certain type of assignment, it would be an image any photographer might make and be please with.

Observations from this photo that I will use to help me be a better photographer: People reading tend to be in the best light. The older they are, the more light they generally need. Paper tends to be bright, reflecting natural light back to the face. Those enjoying conversation and coffee may either not care about light levels or go to darker parts of the room and make for interesting, but not distracting, backgrounds.
Mehmet, this is a great photo deserving to be a stimulus for discussion. I have learned a lot from it. Congratulations and thank you for sharing it.

Experience, wisdom, faith and hope is expressed in this beautifully shot

With sharping end depth very good composition.. Well done.. Regards..

A very strong portrait. Great detail and lighting. Interesting character with lots of life experience. Congrats.

fantástica toma Mehmet y estupendo documento. Excelente composición y encuadre, con una sensacional luz, enfoque y detalle así como unos magníficos tonos. Enhorabuena. 

Un cordial saludo -Tolo.

netlik,alan derinliği  ve oluşan kompozisyon gayet başarılı.

tebrikler Mehmet bey.   Y/A

Excellent!!!

Mehmet ,congratulation for choosing your image as a POW,it deserve it without notion.
it is a very impressive image,I liked how the man is deeply immersed in reading the news paper,he just looked being separated from the surrounding atmosphere,and I liked the details of his coat,though I am not sure,but he seems to be exposed to a rain shower during his way to this local café,the black colours are uneven and spotted with some grey spots,
A genuine real life image.

Mehmet bey tebrik ederim

Congratulation on Photo of the Week -- Excellent lighting and detail.

Congratulations Mehmet........It's a great portrait shot and very worthy of Photo of the Week. Nicely done.

I feel I am not competent to comment on the technical aspect of the image. For me the strong point of the image is its relevance to present times. His body language shows eagerness and anxiety, while reading something interesting and topical in the newspaper. I am an ardent admirer of Mehmet's excellent portraits. In this shot, the inclusion of newspaper lends a documentary touch, because so much is happening in that part of the world.

It's a well realized image, best regards!!

Ah, Mehmet! I'm not surprised to see you with a Photograph of the Week. With your streetscapes, your environmental portraits (street captures?) have always been strong; this image joins your best. The window light, shallow depth of field, warm earth tones, and vivid 3D effect make this gentleman pop out of the frame. Then it's about subject matter: the man, his glasses, his intent concentration on the news, all while surrounded -- very remotely for us -- by the hubbub of a crowded cafe and people with other things on their minds. It's a portrait of a man of integrity and learning, a man engaged in the world. Your top-quality technical skills -- and your way with people -- have again produced a lovely and engaging image. Congratulations.

This is another wonderful photograph from you. Seemingly very innocent, but it does so much. I'm not sure how to "define it"-- is it a street scene, a portrait, did this man pose for you? It doesn't matter since it's so natural and instinctive. The color is just right in its subtlety and lack(!) of vibrant color, the bokeh is just enough to put the focus squarely on the subject, and the overall composition draws the eye in. I like the haphazard crowd scene behind the man because that's the way it is. This is a beautiful image, Mehmet. Congratulations again!