Portrait with ... Reymont

Poetry of ordinary day...

I seldom give a low rating, and only with helpful observations. I have maybe 20-25 such photos in my archives, none published because mine all fail as art. This photo would be excellent IF the man who is drooping looked almost exactly like the man in the statue, and/or his stature was almost exactly like the statue or it would get a higher rating if we could see the man's face and it were interesting, but we cannot. A man/woman seated next to a statue is a common idea, and full of potential, but to make it work, it has to be worked right, or it is just a tired cliche. In this case it's a cliche that just doesn't work. But it could work if you put some thought into what you were trying to do . . . . and the photo actually showed the results. (now if the man seated were actually the depicted "artist", I would want to know that.) I hope this helps explain low rating. John.

A quick browse through your portfolio reveals that you're a photographer of considerable merit, with some very creative ideas. So, with that thought in mind, feel free to dismiss my opinion about the frame in this upload. I think that it is too wide and detracts from the actual image itself. So, why not try something like this?

Maybe I just don't get out that much, but I don't see this as a tired cliche. Instead, to me it nicely juxtaposes the reality of old age for many -- poor, tired, and maybe homeless -- with the ideal of health, vigor, and intellectual pursuit.

 

I do agree with the comment that the frame detracts from the presentation.

Oh this one is very original.

Hi Wojtek:

My first question is if the man is a real person and not a model, if he realy is tired or sad.

If he is, John's argument fall for lack of escense. If the man is posing for you and the photo is staged, it still conveys the message quite nicely but looses so much in escence.

Either way the photo makes you think, I hope, and question our place around others.

This photo and the other one in the series can really show that photography can be useful as society's mirror.

 

 

peace

Hi David, Here is the answer for the question you asked.

Frankly says the photo was took by a chance. I walked with a model-girl for a photo session and sudenly I saw a sitting man ... as fast as I could I took out camera from my bag. One shot, one shutter click, mens head moved up. He heard me. With no word he stood up and went away. Then I took only one picture. Thats the whole story. I met this man once again one day. This time he was going by the tram. He slept. I took some pictures of him, one of them is Portrait with ... fork.

There were no posing during the taking all the pictures. The man is not a model. He is the real homeless human fighting for every day of his life. These stories was real. Thanks for interesting and coments. Regards.

 

Hi Wojtek:

 

Thank you for your explanation. Then this image is a very powerful, honest and brutal reminder of life at its most basic.

Even though the aesthetics are good in terms of the "photo and technique" its value holds true with the reality of it. I applaud you for sharing both photos and for reminding us that photography is more than technique and beauty.

 

peace