Happy Holidays (Each Figure Precisely Placed)

Placement in this 'Holiday' photo, complete with colored banner (can

you read it?), of each of the figures is paramount . . . . for my vision of

what I wanted this scene to be. I am interested in what you see in it.

Your ratings, critiques, and observations are most welcome. If you rate

harshly, critically or just wish to make a point, please submit a helpful

and constructive comment; please share your photographic knowledge

to help improve my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

Viewers familiar with Ukrainian (or Russkij), please translate the sign, upper right . . . . I am certain in my mind what is says, but can hardly believe my eyes, considering certain 'attitudes' held by Ukrainians in general.

If I translate it wrong, (and I possibly might), it won't help my credibility. Ponyla?

Can someone else with special knowledge of the language enlighten me and viewers.

John (Crosley)

Hi, John! This sign is translated as " Inspire! " - this is sign in Ukrainian and most likely this is the advertisement of some nonalcoholic beverage.

Svetlana.

John!

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

And I wish you creative lucks!

Svetlana.

"Action"...I was thinking the same as Meir, when I read the title (each figure...) I didn't scroll to read the rest til I examined the photo... A movie set and the director (you) just yelled action...to put things in motion for the scene to be played out as scripted.

I'm really starting to look forward to your daily image. Thanks for sharing and for the detailed descriptions of your thought process.

John, just spoke with my colleague, as she is from Kiev - yes it's "inspired" - and she told me that this is a well used 'meeting point' (but not during the rush hours) and one of the lines is 'her' line so she had a smile on the face while talking about it.

Thanx for it Ciao Axel

PS let me add: She said "but on the picture it is written in imperative form"

PPS: And she added: This is the way how this transfer tunnel between two underground lines looks like in the rush time:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=10341138

I was struck just by the same thing.

It was as though I was the director, ordered 'Places Everybody' . . . . cameras rolling . . . . and . . . . 'Action' which started every body moving, to create this scene which unfolded.

Sometimes in 'street' I get 'in the groove' where I almost 'feel' that I can just about 'direct' the subjects to move exactly as I would wish them to, even if I do not know exactly how I would want them to, but when they do hit that visual 'sweet spot' I know it, and hit the shutter.

It's worthy in my eyes just for the capture, with its balance, symmetry, action and asymmetry too. A prized photo (for some) and a 'nothing' for others, I am sure.

Just for the colors and distribution of figures . . . .

Just representational of that proverbial 'street' 'slice of life' which can be so elusive actually to capture,as so often people are clumped together, making good outlines of individuals within group photos hard to come by in a photo with more than two or three, and with this many, with foreground to background . . . well . . . . let's say . . . I would post it again, low or high rates, no matter what.

John (Crosley)

It is NOT what I had thought it might be, and my official translator is in hospital, felled by some mysterious illness,(with me paying/pivate clinic and all,a high price bhy Ukrainian standards but low by American standards and highest of all care. I had to return to USA suddenly, and will return soon . . . I hope within one week, so this was posted just before I got on the plane . . . and I'm writing from Los Angeles - after several days of bedwide sitting, worrying, then sitting on a plane for almost 30 hours plus a layover.

I spoke briefly with fellow passenger out of Kyiv, Madeline Albright, former US secretary of State, who may have thought I did not recognize her, as I did not ask any questions related to her 'business' or foreign affairs, but instead about the incredible cold (-17C), the snow (1/3 of a meter overnight), etc. and again saw her in Munich.

But that's life. She's very tiny.

I had thought that sign, from appearances, might have said something else, but one letter appeared very wrong, espcially, and knowing Ukraine history it seemed very unlikely it was that word anyway. My gut feeling was right. (Sorry Meir).

Thanks Svetlana.

John (Crosley)

Thank you for Christmas greetings.

There is no family - only me. The last of the named Crosleys.

There are lost relatives; who are out of touch and don't care.

There is one special person, about whom I will not ever write.

About luck on the streets,I am of the opinion that aside from extraordinary circumstances, such as being near the World Trade Center with a pocket full of flash cards and several cameras, that one makes one's own luck.

How else can one account for my prolific output: really, really good luck?

I have lots of duds (originally meant to describe unexploded bombs in 'The Great Patriotic War, which others know as World War II).

But enough really really good ones to fill more than one book completely full.

Luck is made by pushing the shutter at every opportunity that offers promise, then trimming out all the bad ones. What's left is 'luck'.

At least that's what I see it.

But I get your meaning and your intention and I am very thankful.

And very much the same to you. May the good photos jump into your lens and camera as they sometimes do into mine.

John (Crosley)

I did not read your comment when I replied to Meir.

We all three were struck by the same thing, which really is the 'essence' of this photo.

At any time, one expects Bob Cratchett to come through the scene -- more modern day, but expected to work until Midnight on New Year's (Christmas is a work day here, as all businesses are normal Dec. 25, though most are closed Jan.6, Eastern Christmas).

I am glad you have remarked on the 'Image of the Day' You are the first to have done so, but there are many viewers (and my others photos seem to be getting more viewers too . .. . but lately I think the photos are just better anyway, so it's 'chicken and egg . . . . maybe . . . '

At least better, I think for several months, especially since returning (at times) to Ukraine . . . . a great source of shooting inspiration as the 'contrasts' there are often so clear, the faces so clear - and the people so willing to be photographed by ME.

As opposed to yesterday in Munich Airport where I photographed [among other things] sleeping people on seats/benches during an eight-hour layover.

A man indignantly came up to me and said in English . . .with German Accent: 'You cannot photograph such peoples without their consent.'

I said, equally indignantly 'yes, I can! I have long ago had German law researched, and you, sir, are an arrogant and obnoxious interloper!!!!' You are unwelcome. Go away.'

'I' I said, 'Long ago retained German counsel' (an attorney) to explain German law regarding taking photographs (as well as a PN member who did the same for him and me) and I have every right to take such photos and (pointing to ceiling -- in fact YOU are being photographed right now by security cameras'.

'And', I asked, 'Who are you and he answered 'My name is Trounstine' (or something equally innocuous), 'and I demand you wake those persons up and tell them you photographed them'

I said to him again, 'sir you are an obnoxious interloper who are arrogant and without authority and full of crap (I used the German word which starts with Sch . . . .) 'Goodbye and leave me alone.' Then I walked off (pocketing my chip).

I have had such encounters with strangers supposedly 'protecting' the 'innocent' before and find these people to be the most dangerous,as one cannot predict when an officious stranger will jump out of the woodwork spoiling for a fight, and so challenge you, that stranger will not give up (unless you walk away, in this case, he had his suitcase of carry on at the gate and I walked away and he COULD NOT FOLLOW.)

In my experience, it's never the photo you take that causes an 'incident' it'

s the person who think's you're going to take their photo (erroneously) or did take their photo (also erroneously, but from some egotistical and narcissistic sort or egomaniac) or someone who is watching, getting up a head of steam - in some cases because they can suppose what they THINK you are portraying and DO NOT LIKE IT AND WANT TO CONTROL THE PHOTO CONTENT and will ask you to destroy a photo or a flash card . . . . . .

I just call cops if it gets rugged and never have lost.

It's also rare. I have 100 to500 good encounters to any one that goes the least big sour.

And the above was big time sour,but not dangerous at all (cops and surveillance everywhere, sterile zone in air terminal thus no weapons, law on my side (researched) and my attorney in Munch itself just a phone call away.

;~))

Luck favors the well prepared.

Can you imagine waking someone from a full sleep.

'Hi, (in English to a Polish speaker) I just took your photo. Do you want to let me keep it or destroy it, because this guy over here is telling me it's not my photo because you were not 'informed' that I was taking your photo (plus the other person behind you sleeping, head the other direction).

And for the person behind who may speak Romanian, perhaps, the same thing.

What a mess, if we allow the interlopers of the world their way.

There's no way to placate them.

They don't want you to take a photograph. They think you're scum paparazzi and are projecting. They want a fight, not with you but you're nearest.

So, the answer is 'get away' if you can,and if not get police there if it starts to get ugly (just get that cell phone out or yell out at top lung 'police' in native language for the country you are in' IF cops are known to beat people, that will give them pause right there.

Because they might get beaten just for 'causing 'trouble'.

Happened to one guy who assaulted me. (witness told what happened) He apologized 'in English later, bloodied, not knowing a word he was saying, being carefully rehearsed.)

I dropped charges.

Pays not to make enemies.

He would have gone to prison; in Ukraine that is possibly a death sentence (health reasons),even for a year or so.

99.99% of the time my street shooting is not only uneventful but I make fabulous short-term friends of sooooo many people, it would make a great feature just to show me photographing a day in a big city in various locations that have many people and documenting my vast variety of 'grab bag' street shooting tricks I've picked up.

Too many to write about . . . all used as the circumstance dictates.

One moment I'm Cartier-Bresson stalking, then tip-toeing and another, I'm a clown lifting my shirt and urging the reticnet market women who keep turning their heads away from me to SNET (take it off) so I really can take the photo they fear I am intent on taking (suggesting if I'm gonna take their photo they gotta take off their clothes, thus denigrating their expressed fears that I'm a danger to be around with it -17C outside with my large cameras for fear I'll 'capture' a shot of them at work in the outdoor market.

So, there I'l;ll be with the theme from Gypsy, grinding my hips, suggesting to them SNET (take it off) lifting my camera so they get the point) and they laughing hilariously at me . . . . . greatly amused.

Then, with them relaxed I can take any kind of photo I want, in my own sweet time. I am 'one of them' -- accepted.

My ribaldry has worked in my favor - but just one of 100 tricks . .. . ..

Hiding behind electric poles, bringing along a friend/assistant to act as a 'foil', focusing on a high distant object, then suddenly lowering my lens to focus on the intended subject, and more, more more, more and more, more more and more yet.

John (Crosley)

As I go about my task of tryings to document the people of the world, the people of Ukraine are a good 'Avatar', because they are so hard to place, in large part because so few know about their country and it has such extremes, from the very, very urban and sometimes urbane Kyiv to the very, very coarse and rural countryside that could go back a century or two in places.

In this case, on separate days, separate occasions I happened to pass through this 'meeting point' and the 'transfer tunnel' and get 'three great photos', at least in my estimation, or if not 'great' at least prototypical.

1. This photo of the meeting point, together with two guys awaiting a meeting, the crowd coming AND going.

2. The referred photo of the 'transfer' tun THE photo of the transfer tunnel . . . at full blast during 'rush'. I never took such a photo, nor do I ever expect again to take such a photo. I am an opportunist, (and I hope not too much of a vulgarian -- e.g., not a stalkerazzi of celebrities or in any way that is harmful).

3. In the B&W then and now portfolio,see the Alone in a Crowd or some such photo showing an old woman seated on the side of the transfer tunnel (seemingly empty but really between a surge in the crowd as trains elsewhere were between emptying)

She lives there, at least part time it seems, as it seems as I've passed there other times, and she was in exact same spot, so now I have a new photo of this old woman and a woman seller next to her dancing to music, with another woman (but hardly portraying that loneliness I sought to portray).

Three rather prototypical photos, all within a stone's throw of each other, each unique in style and each unique in that I won't be taking them again -- I don't do series of such photos. They are one off.

Wish your colleague 'good health' (schools were shut down a second time yesterday because of H1N1 virus, but a contact at DHL told me that nations sent shipments of face masks for the population and because they were not 'approved' by the 'Ministry of Health' they and other helpful supplies had to be turned back and returned.

Good thinking still is in short supply sometimes.

Other than that, no comment, but thank your 'colleague' for her good taste in photographers whose work she watches ;~)))) (also thanks for noting the 'imperative' to 'inspire, etc.)

Best wishes to both of you.

john

John (Crosley)

Watch this space.

New Photo Wed or Thursday. Delay due to travel (and lack of medication).

Tons more, processed and unprocessed, awaiting upload here and elsewhere.

John (Crosley)