Wedding today at the Art Museum

There's a real yin/yang thing going on here, not just in terms of tonal scale but also of mood. The light, happy. giddy newlyweds stand in stark contrast to the dark portent of the silhouetted figure in the foreground. It makes me think if you were able to see outside the frame you might see Rod Serling smoking a cigarette.

 

POW is a well-deserved accolade for you, Tim. I'm willing to bet the elves had a bit of a task picking "the one", since so many of your images are worthy of the honor. Well done.

I love the lines and how it draws on the eyes. I think the fellow in the foreground adds a touch of mystery to the whole composition. I have to say it's the Best "walk on" I've seen yet. As for street photo, hmmm...that's a toughie, could go either way.

Is this the view from the sad corner of the proverbial triangle, or from the proud corner of the father of the bride? In any case, the dark figure in the foreground provides an effective counterpoint to the rest of the photo.

Very interesting image here. A really stunning mix of shapes and images here. All kinds of subtext to this image. IMHO one of the best POW's in quite some time. Class shot you've got here Tim.

I like the fact that the image centers around a precise three-tone combination: black, white, and what I will call a Richard Avedon grey, for want of a better term. The bowler hats, the plasticity of the foreground character, signify a fictional world which has not much to do with street scenes - but it's not a problem. It is indeed a plus. John Steed at Emma Peel's wedding? Puzzling and totally original.

Very good composition. But I would like to know if this a Cartier Bresson like photo or maybe a Doisneau like photo. I mean: are they posing for the camera or not? I can't help thinking that posing photos are worth a little bit less than "accidental" ones, but anyway... not everyone can compose a beatiful image like this. By the way, it reminds me of Magritte's pictures, because of the hats.

The fella in the foreground is the photograph's heart and soul. He's the main character.

I like the lines and tones, too, but since it has already been pointed out I'd like to say The

figure on the right is really nicely captured and adds character, class, and since you can't

see his face it lets the viewer finish the picture by projecting who ever they want into the

mans identity. The facts that his arm paralells the roof thing and his collar is shown with a

touch of white allow the viewer to enjoy skillfull composition and finishing techniques.

 

Congratulations Tim.

I like how the profiled tophats, askew at opposing angles, balance eachother...as do the sweeping roof and faroff boat sail in a subtler touch. And the sky is terrific.

 

A couple quibbles: the left side of the shot seems to closely approach some natural framing structure (the actual base of the sweeping roof, the left flank of the path, &c.) but doesn't quite make it, so that my eye is led off-page on that side a bit unsatisfied. A solid, neutral vertical form on the left edge would have made a more effective 'bumper' for the viewer.

 

Second, the foreground figure's arm angle is stiff and awkward, which distracts a tad. Of course this is a candid -- and that's a major strength too -- so you had little control over this. But if you'd been lucky enough to get a gentler crook of the elbow, it would have enhanced the scene's mood even more.

 

Nice use of complex architecture and balancing contrasts, overall. I bet the family and friends of the couple would treasure it!

Congratulations Tim. This is so very well seen and a perfect composition with wonderful lines, tones and framing that the only way to rate it is with 7/7....Best regards, Harry

It IS a super shot. It wouldn't be anything without the silhoeutted figure in the foreground, though. That, to me is the briliant capture. The pose of the wedding couple is actually rather awkward, but you don't notice this given the dominating figure in the foreground.

 

BTW, in the UK, these would be called bowler hats, top hats being taller and with a square top edge. Is this another of those trans-Atlantic differences?

Tim, you nailed it. Very cool!

 

How did you process it? Can you tell us what you did in Photoshop?

The guy in foreground... looks like a voyeur... almost as his soul had transmigred into the photographer... and then to all the people who observe the picture. I feel part of it, it's incredibly well done!

To me, the figure on the right gives this an almost sinister feel and makes this a very interesting composition. Without that man in that pose, this would be very ordinary.

The real shame is the band of jpg compression across the upper third. It would be nice if POW's could be exempt from the Pnet auto sizer.

Great stuff... everything but the Leica :-) Actually, this is a real boost for me since I'm waiting for my own D70 to arrive! But pedestrian considerations aside, this is a wonderful photo - congrats, and thanks for sharing!

 

- Al

So pleased for you Tim. I have been following and learning from your uploads for many weeks now. Not only are your photos interesting and unique, your commentary and titles add much. Including humor and quiet thoughtfulness.

 

Sincere congratulations on this, one of your very best.

Thanks for all of the nice comments. I never thought any of my photos would make a POW. I view most of my stuff as a little on the quirky side. I am not big on the technical side of things and know only the simple, idiot proof things on PS Elements. I have yet to learn the layers deal and don't know to sharpen anything yet. I bought a film scanner a few months ago and can't get it to work, I sent it back to Minolta and it still doesn't work. It is probably an operator problem. I bought a battery operated CD storage device so I would'nt have to buy so many cards and I can't get that to work. If I did'nt have bad luck, I would'nt have any luck at all.

Tim, congrats on this recognition of your talent. Now you are no longer a secret! Love the story of this one, good choice on the elves part...

Love it. Has a certain sinister Magritte feel to it, needs a green apple!

Nice work

Funny enough Tim, I was just re-visiting your portfolio yesterday before the POW and spent quite a long time looking at this picture, a lot of emotions in it IMO...

besides the interesting architecture design surrounding the scene like a gigantic mouth/jaw, and beside the violet-pink tone (was it a black and white pic or is it a consequence of compression Doug mentionned earlier)... yes, besides all this, I see a lot of nostalgy in this picture, an older and lonely man looking at a moment youth and heedless, his own youth?

despite the uncommon design, this image looks very familiar to the viewer as he can identify himself to the shadow of the observer...

... observer who can be seen also as the protector of the young couple' intimacy and future, their guardian angel.. look at the position of the arm firmly closing the way, the protecting roof..

Congrats Tim ... a well deserved POW!

Kudos, Tim. Wow, my second surprise to see your name when I clicked on this picture.
Extremely well executed and cropped; I see you also have a new toy...

Laughing at your last comment, as I see myself in it. I know almost nothing about how my camera REALLY works, I know basic PS Elements and little more. But I know what I like, and this POW is it.

 

Thanks again for making me laugh.

Absolutely marvelous shot...as indicated by the elves it verges on busy but just seems to avoid it, and while the central characters are small in the frame, everything leads you to them. The character in the top hat is beyond perfect. Perhaps the finest wedding shot I've seen, definitely can't recall one that tops it. Despite the various elements that appear carefully planned, the moment looks rather spontaneous. Tough to pull off, but very well done here indeed.

Excellent retro wedding shot! But, Tim took this one!?! There was no hint at all in his portfolio that he did wedding photography.

 

Everything is in perfect harmony. The lattice shade balances well with the white rail. The two men wearing hats creates an immediate symphony. The cables coming down as light rays instantly point you to the couple and the fact that they newlyweds are in the last of these rays strengthens the composition by not having other cables beyond the couple fighting for attention. The smile of the bride gives life to an otherwise silhouetted and disconnected human presence. The sky being gradually darker towards the top prevents a dull, flat, large and empty area. The rail in the center could have been white which would have ruined the picture but it is exactly the color that it needed to be. The couple are dead smack in the center but on the lower part of the frame thereby preventing an awkward feel while at the same time allowing them to be the center of attraction which is exactly what they are on this special day. I could go on and on. Now that is not to say that this is the best wedding photograph that I have seen. Far from it! But it is one that would look awesome in 24x30 where her face could be seen much better then here. Now that being said, the position of the groom seems kind of weird unless the reason for this is that they are dancingonly the photographer would know this. The couple of course would remember this moment better if that were the case, not an important piece of information for us, but definitely so for the client.