'Metrograd: Underground Shopping Center'

This is caught in passing, underground, as a woman, emerging from a

rainstorm, passes by an underground display, awaiting trimming, at

show windows of Kyiv, Ukraine's Metrograd shopping complex, a haven

under two of Kyiv's most busy streets, especially in the most inclement

weather. Your ratings, critiques and remarks are invited and most

welcome. If you rate harshly, critically or wish to leave a remark, please

submit a helpful and constructive comment; please share your

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! John.

I think this is an outstanding black and white, love the composition and framing, real lady with a not-so-perfect form vs. hour glass shaped manequins, rain thinned spots of her umrella, just a wonderful photo.

This was taken in a tunnel complex used to connect an underground shopping complex (Metrograd, for whose window this is named) with outside streets, a connector (subway it would be called in Britain) under a huge complex intersection, a connection to a major METRO line intersection with two of the heaviest traveled trains passing underneath, and it is a familiar spot to many Kiev residents, but becomes more deserted as the night passes.

This was early evening, and a place I often frequent.  So, for some who recognize me, I am 'known', and as I wandered around, then spotted the three black mannequins, I said to myself, 'I am sure I can do something with those, especially with the white, blank window and the lights.

So, I chose one or two likely spots, set my zoom to tele, and stood well back so those passing would not have an inkling of my presence, so I could get good silhouettes, and began taking photos.

Soon some old friends, youths I had spoken to, passed by.  I am well known there, or at least have acquaintances.  One knew me by name and had seen my photos on the Internet, so my captures were critiqued as the pedestrian traffic by this window had lulls.

A friend of his, a beautiful young woman (outstandingly beautiful AND smart) joined us, and after i had taken my captures, we retired to a meal together. (that's really good life on the street, the way it should be but seldom is because 'street' so often is a solitary life.)

There were numerous good captures and many seemed to speak to something different . . . men, women, tall people, short people, but we liked this  woman with her umbrella, caught in three separate frames, but this showed the best proportions, so it was chosen.

I'm really glad you liked it.

When first put up for display it couldn't even make a 4/4 average here, for some reason.

Now it's doing a great deal better.  My own the spot critics judged it 'outstanding' and were willing to wait while I got what they felt were the very best.

Life's pretty great some days . . . especially when sharing is possible (it often isn't, except when doing a series like this).

Thanks kindly for sharing your good opinion; it heartens me after initial low ratings.

john

John (Crosley)

The story is above, and so is your opinion (and its explanation which I agree with 100%).

In fact, I especially love the term rain-spotted to describe the umbrella, something I had missed.

This was a 'wonderful photo' just waiting to be taken, if only someone spotted its potential and was willing to be patient.

A pair (note above), kept me company, and talked to me as I fired away, then critiqued my numerous captures as I had lulls.  What a great way to shoot.

And how unique for a street shooter.

It's almost like having your own traveling 'reality show' but in this case it's just 'reality' (no show, no script hidden among the supposed 'reality' but just plain 'reality' and best of all, genuineness, instead of scripted schmaltz or scripted conflict designed to make boring times look interesting for an audience.

I can only be judged here by the photo.

I'm greatly pleased it more than passed muster with you.

john

John (Crosley)

It absolutely did, and I think its sad that a shot like this was so overlooked. Not "pretty" in any traditional sense but strong, stark, geometrical, and with a clear enough thought but one that leaves room for interpretation on behalf of the viewer. And, may I say again, perfectly framed and composed.

All the best!

I was by there tonight, but like many things in life, although the mannquins and window were there, the rain wasn't.

No umbrellas and no wet people.

I stood there for some time and realized I probably would never do better.

I have hopes, so long as those mannequins are there and this happens to be on a path I go along, but this simply is all you say it is . . . and I am proud of it.

It is not a huge comment on 'the human condition' as some of my best photos are, but it's a worthy photo, nonetheless.

And it now has 11 ratings, which sends it into my 'most viewed' folder . . . but regrettably the Administration recently has downplayed the importance of such folders and higher rated photos . . .  (for so much as this photo is concerned but for me in general . . . no big loss.  Some of my greatest and best photos never were eligible, so a trip through my highest-rated (most rated) folder never would have revealed the depth or extent of my talent).

I thank you for the continuing compliment . . . but rates are not really so important - - -they're more of a popularity contest about which I have written previously in some depth, and the popularity is mainly about beginning photographers (which a few vets thrown in -- look at the 6/6 ratings and member ratins to find those often in my photo ratings ;~))

I often will get a 6/6 or a 5.9/6 rating then someone will come along for a photo with a rating no less than a 5 and give it a  3/4.

So what?

It's still the same photo and loses nothing by the low rate.

It may be temporarily irksome, but there is no money at stake, and no wager, or for me, even bragging rights.

I am happy to take 'em and post 'em and delight that some of my photos get rates from 3/3 to 7/7.

Go figure!

I just figure I got 'em all flummoxed.

No one person can put a finger on the 'worth' of my photos, though several raters come back again and again and seem to  judge them similar to how I would.

And I do not think all my posts are 6/6 or 7/7 rating candidates. I post what I will for my own personal fun, and for sharing; rating is definitely a second (and several years ago posted hundreds without ratings requests and those photos still ended up in highest-viewed folders!!!!)

I just don't sweat the small stuff.

And here most of the stuff is small stuff.

Best to you, Nicole, and thanks.

john

John (Crosley)

(At one time, now long time ago, a member surrepitiously posted a number of Henri Cartier-Bresson photos, and got rates that were decidedly mediocre to poor!  (he just escaped getting kicked off the service when he revealed his 'trick' on the ratings system.)  There's a point to that, which I don't think I have to expound on.

jc

I like this graphic effect.