'It's a Hard Life'

Making a living selling is 'A Hard Life' any time, but when economic

crisis hits and you have to be outdoors every day of the year, with just a

bag of whatever to sell, one by one, to passersby, life can be very

punishing -- all as shown in the face of the woman, top left. Your

ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly,

very critically or just wish to state your views, please submit a helpful

and constructive comment; please share your photographic knowledge

to help improve my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! (or at least be

edified) John

Photography isn't exactly 'invited' here on these steps and this photo was made like the chess move 'en passant', so it literally had to be made with stutter steps, as I ascended steep steps with heavy equipment.

It did not make me popular, but these women are in a public place -- extremely public, and 'selling' to the public involves all sorts of personal compromises.

The woman, left, is also seen in another photo, recently posted, of four women, with a telephoto (she is the first).

I like this rendition because her face, so white/pale, looks almost skeletal, though she is far from being 'real old'.

These women have a 'warning system' for photographers as do many others 'Luda', one will say, for instance, 'photographer'',and all will turn, but the woman, lower right, was very friendly, and I spoke with her for a long time -- no antipathy there.

I and she enjoyed each others' brief company, I took photos of her (flattering but not to be posted), then climbed and this is the result.

It of course is an attempt at symmetry and a little judicious cropping was necesssary because I could not stand there and frame and shoot, but had to shoot while climbing (at slow shutter speed, later afternoon, failing light).

I have spied these women for a long time (and they me, so it's a game we play).

Thanks for commenting.

John (Crosley)

It's not the exact shot I envisioned, as I had no time or opportunity on these broad and busy steps to step back and focus, but had to stutter step and take this shot 'en passant'. Just a slight pausel, a turn and a preconceived photo (conceived a split second before) tried to become a reality.

It is not all I hoped, yet in ways, it is more than I hoped (see woman's face, left - it looks almost skeletal).

That is one of those interesting and rare things - her face is almost alabaster and in bringing out just a little contrast and darkness, it also brought out the skeletal nature of her face . . . .

That will have significance (you already know) in a coming post.

My very best to you (and you know I mean it; not just some phony words or a recitation, but I have literally sent my 'best' to you, and thanks for your comment.)

john

John (Crosley)