'Two Best Friends: Graffiti and a Bottle'

This man in a subterranean tunnel complex beneath Kyiv, Ukraine's

streets, is in a blind corner that during daytime sells drinks including

beer, but now that it's night, the kiosk is shuttered, with graffiti on its

shutter, and he is turned away from the world for his escape. Your

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

very critically, or wish to make a remark please submit a helpful and

constructive comment; please share your photographic knowledge to

help improve my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

Title of this photo very clearly shows its meaning.

Svetlana.

This is a very 'dark' photo - not to the level of Edvar Munch's 'The Scream' but if the graffiti were that it could hardly be much darker.

It definitely is not a 'feel-good' photo.

I would exhibit it.

If just for the admosphere, use of light and theme, all for conveying a 'feeling' as opposed to a 'story' - it does have a story and a feeling but the feeling is paramount and not a happy one.

Thanks Alan for the feedback.

John (Crosley)

This is a 'dark' photo in more ways than one.

Many Ukraine moschino (men) drink, but most drink with their friends.

Drinking in solitude like this is a bad sign, I think.

Moschino (men) in the US also drink like this, and they also sleep in the street, in certain districts -- it's a worldwide problem.

This photo is not just specific to Ukraine, although the level of drink in this country is higher than many countries . . . but somehow it seems somewhat lower than among those I meet who seem to have hope, and good jobs. Drink, it seems, is 'pain reliever' for lost hope or a sort of pain reliever for those who don't have access to expensive drugs or who would refuse them.

However, drink, for all its pain killing effects, can also be very harmful, it taken in large amounts especially over a lifetime.

I think the key is to have hope and an economy that is growing . . . to fight an eons long culture of heavy drinking (not just the men, but the women too -- I got accosted that night also by a very drunk woman, and a certain amount of kiosk sellers I have been finding are quiet drinkers when it's pretty cold - you just have to get close to them (as when taking photos close up and they breathe on me), or the issue is not apparent.

But then I have a relative or two who drank too. . . though I don't think any relative alive ever drank on the job or to excess to my very delayed knowledge).

Again, it's not an issue that's just related to Ukraine (or neighboring Russia, or other 'Slav' nations . . . where there is a strong culture of 'drink').

Drink seems to be a huge issue in most other cultures where it's available (maybe why Muslims frown on it so much (and possibly a major plus of Islam? -- fewer drunks lying around in the streets?)

I make no other judgments about Islam and no comparisons otherwise.

Thanks for commenting; this is not a focus specifically on 'Ukraine's' dark side, but on mankind's dark side which just happens to be in Ukraine - and Slavic culture where there is a strong bias toward 'drink'.

Nothing more.

San Francisco, California in its downtown area has a tremendous number of alcoholics, schizophrenics and drug abusers, all living in that city and more than elsewhere, all in its wonderful downtown area (bothering pedestrians, often annoyingly) because they can live well in that city's rather wonderful weather -- not too hot, not too cold, year round).

In fact, I'd much rather confront a man drinking on the street in Ukraine than Califorania as the Ukraine man who drinks on the street is likely to be normal or 'safe' whereas the corollary USA man possibly might not be.

John (Crosley)

If you come here often enough, and stay long enough, you are very likely to find a photo or several that may satisfy your particular tastes in photography.

(I even do landscapes, fine art, portraits, nudes, etc. as well as my first love, street).

You are welcome here, always.

John (Crosley)

I met today (9th March) with a highly respected photographic critic who has advised and mentored me for 1-3/4 years, and he saw this photo. (He's a Lucie Award Winner).

This is 'a wonderful photo' he said, as he looked at it, went to another photo, and then went back to it, two times.

He really was impressed.

I had great satisfaction, knowing (1) that the photo had few rates and (2) has had few views, but despite little impact here, I knew it was 'important'.

We talked later about 'finding one's 'voice' (so to speak) photographically.

I told him I was polyglot; he said he was not sure, and he held masters class right there at the patio restaurant on the subject of 'finding one's voice' photographically.

He noted several photos he thought were interesting and could not be passed by presumably by photographer who saw the subject, but noted they were not 'me'. I agreed. Others, he said, were 100% me. Others we held in suspension pending a continuation of our discussion.

This one he felt was 'wonderful'.

Just spending one or two hours with this man is worth a year of the finest Photo.net critiques.

He never taught at any university; if he had he would have fit in poorly as he is not entirely well disciplined, but he is brilliant and is completely inspired, and thinks extemporaneously, and especially interpersonally.

Michel, you have my ear, always.

With respect for your expertise.

And your friendship.

Always.

john

John (Crosley)