Resident Evil (Click for larger view ....if you dare)

Alf,this is not a simple shot to do and result is very interesting you achieved here.Subject posture,expression is what makes this photo so powerful and for sure not at last you pp work in bw that is perfect to me,compliments for this work.

sincerely radu

Very effective. The shooting angle helps, as does your processing/presentation of what you perceived.

A most excellent offering.  Your subject could well fit in with the other members of the penal colony in the movie Alien 3.  Oops, did I just hint at my other hobby? (couch potato) :-)  Good idea to vignette to help maximize the low key presentation.  Best, LM.

Hi Alf

 

I dared....and wow!....another exceptional street shot.  You have captured the mood, atmosphere and drama of this scene completely.  This gentleman looks like he'd be right at home in a sinister horror movie....very apt for the halloween season.

 

This is a very thought provoking image, I can clearly see by his attire that he isn't a homeless person, but the wound on his head, the dark troubled look about his eyes, the crutch, all lead me to believe he's certainly been in the wars.

 

I absolutely love your work, in particular your Black and White images, and this image goes to prove Landscapes are not all you excel at Alf.

 

Admirable work Alf...thank you for sharing.

 

Warmest regards

 

Jacqueline

Many Thanks  for your interest and positive feedback.

 

Some images just seem to fit right in : - ) 

 

Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

WAYNE 

 

Thank you so much for your most encouraging comments! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MICHAEL

 

I think you might have read this one right. This guy does look like a "tough nut" although I suppose we must remember that appearances can be deceptive.

I used to have a simple program that copied certain tones and themes and one of them was moonlight, I think it might have worked here. 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback Michael

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

RADU

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly, it is that intense posture and expression that seems to convey the menacing aura.  I just took the opportunity to accentuate those qualities by making it selectively darker.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

RAJAT 

 

It is very interesting that you mentioned the "shooting angle". The shot was taken from ground level whilst the subject was leaning on a railing two floors up in a shopping centre. 

 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

LEN 

 

Well at least you didn't simulate it to my self portrait like a certain other PN member (MLM) mentioning no names : - ) 

It was in fact a busy shopping mall in the middle of the day, but fortunately though not surprisingly he was quite isolated. I used a bit of artistic licence with this one and added  the vignette and a bit of selective darkening.

Don't have nightmares Len : - )

 

Sincere Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

JACQUELINE 

 

You are a brave woman! : - ) 

 

I think his expression and posture is the essence of the image, the added darkness is aimed at just making the whole thing a bit more spooky.

I don't think he was homeless either. But he did look angry, and maybe that can be attributed to the pain he might have been suffering.  Or maybe his wife forgot to pack a chocolate bar into his packed lunch box, or he had just lost a bet! Who knows the reason for that malevolent expression, but suffice to say it was there so I took the shot. 

 Thank you so much for your interest and most encouraging feedback! 

 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

Alf,

  Wonderful b/w image with amazing processing & lighting.  Excellent work!! Take care, Patsy

completely successful capture of the awfulness of this drama, Alf... an essential document... it gives me the chills ;-} dp

Alf,

Great shot, very compelling in B+W. I noticed the man uses a crutch to get around, which may explain the head injury. If he has bad legs, falling goes with the territory. One never knows how people get to where they are. This guy may have a story contrary to his demeanor within the split second of capture. What would an interview reveal? Evil, or not, this guy is a tough customer. His nose looks like its taken some shots too. Maybe he's an ex-Boxer.

Many Thanks,

 

It was all a bit hasty and thrown together but it seemed to work : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

DONNA 

 

Don't have nightmares! I am sure he's a nice guy really : - ) 

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

DON 

 

I think the crutch and the head injury are probably linked also, but I'm inclined to think the were simultaneously arrived via a road accident perhaps?. 

You could be right, his general demeanour may be arrived at through any number of good reasons, but as for an interview.........well I'm not sure I'm that brave : - ) 

It is interesting though the way we all make snap judgements based on a swift visual appraisal and our former experiences. 

For all we know he could be a ballet dancer or arrange flowers for a living.

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and observations Don.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

superb composition. first the eye is attracted to the face and you feel as you said. but then you notice the crutch and immediately you interpret the look differently: to where I could have gone to were it not for this impairment ...it incites pity.
with the structures around you captured this duality very well and b/w was, of course, essential. compliments -koushik

Many Thanks for your thoughtful and compassionate feedback.

 

We all tend to judge on first appearances, such is human nature! 

But I think the image first instils fear, then curiosity, and then as you have said, maybe pity from those who are be able to empathise with his plight.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

This image has all the hallmark of photography from the old black and white films. I saw some fine prints of characters from Powell and Pressburger films in the National Portrait Gallery recently. Your fine composition reminds of something akin to them

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback! 

 

I am very honoured that you consider this comparable with anything from The National Portrait Gallery. 

This image does seem to have attracted a lot of attention and I've just been informed it has been chosen as online "Picture of the Week" by Amateur Photographer Magazine, and will printed in their Xmas edition.

There's a lot to be said for spontaneity! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

Very impressive composition, you captured this scene marvellously well and the post processing enhancing the dramatic effect. Excellent work Alf.

Best Regards

Patrick

Hi Alf

Distinguished street capture

Although it is black and white but still I feel that it has a unique colour cast which is very close to Bleach Bypass technique where the contrast add an extra grief and sadness to the mood of this photo. Kind regards

More fine work Alf.

One is forced to wonder after his situation but tenderness aside it's very apropos for the Halloween season.

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback.

As they say "truth is sometimes stranger than fiction" I think this shot goes some way to proving that theory : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MUSEEB 

 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! 

I certainly used some artistic licence to enhance this one.  Although after reviewing the original colour version, I'm really not sure which one is more grim.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

STEVE 

 

It really does get one thinking about his plight and the circumstances that led to it. But my input was aimed purely towards a seasonal spooky spectre kind of image.

Many Thanks Steve Always good to hear from you! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

Quite the foreboding character you captured so well here Alf. The hard contrast grunge look is perfect and serves to emphasize the sinister mood in the image. Superb work Al!

All the best,
Neil

we make such unfair judgements.  maybe.  epd

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback.

The image was taken in broad daylight in a shopping mall, and he didn't look quite as foreboding before I applied the selective darkening.

But I used a bit of artistic licence to suit the season : - ) 

Cheers Neil

 

Alf 

 

JAMIE 

 

Thank you for your interest.

 

Such is the nature of photography and the human mind.

 

We all make judgement based on appearance, even those of us that like to think we harbour no prejudice at all

 

It does serve to provoke thought though.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

i just meant it's an easy judgement to make.  epd

Yes, I know I didn't take it personally, my reply was just an observation too.

 

BR 

 

Alf 

many thanks for warning the undiscerning viewer to avoid the larger view (well, of course I couldn't resist...creepy! ;-)) - perfect post-processing.

Hi Alf- Seems I mentioned once you were a creative artist & you have proven me correct. Very well done capturing the illusion of evil,great lighting.Funny how some things rekindle long forgotten events, looking at this fellows face reminded me of my early days a power plant engineer in the coal fired boiler days when once a year we had to climb into the duct work & shovel all the soot up the ducts & into the base of the chimney. Actually, this guy looks kind of clean compared to us. Best Regards-Ross

I don't know how I missed this one, but then again I wasn't around much on PN these last few weeks. Yes, a fitting Halloween vibe it certainly gives off...

My first impression was that you captured an actor on a stage -- he just might have uttered his words ( & something tells me they weren't the friendliest…)

I didn't read all the previous comments, Alf, but I understand you took this on the street. I'd say you managed very well in your rendering of a strong atmospheric mood and scene, due in large part by your effectively dramatic pp work. Bravo!