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© © 2010 John Crosley/John Crosley Trust, All Rights Reserved, No Publication Without Express Permission of Copyright Holder

The Musician/Waiter


johncrosley

Artist: JOHN CROSLEY/JPOHN CROSLEY PHOTOGRAPHY TRUST 2010;
opyright: 2010 JOHN CROSLEY TRUST ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; CROP LEFT, UNMANIPULATED.

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© © 2010 John Crosley/John Crosley Trust, All Rights Reserved, No Publication Without Express Permission of Copyright Holder

From the category:

Street

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This man waited tables on me, mentioned he was a musician in a long

talk and I snapped a potential album cover, all in less than ten second's

shooting, when I caught him unaware with my long lens. (He agreed it

was worthy of his next album cover). All this taken in the middle of his

work as a waiter (which he performed very well). Your ratings and

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

critically, or just wish to make a statement, please submit a helpful and

constructive comment; please share your photographic knowledge to

help improve my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

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Just Call Me:

CROSLEY OF OTTAWA!!!

(I tried to insert the Registered Trademark insignia here, but the anti-spam software blocked my post, for which I have written Administration, as it seems generalized for all posts with that legal mark.)

john

John (Crosley)

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I framed and shot two of these, almost alike, with this balance of blacks and whites, as the guy stood behind the 'bar' and server's area, as I exited the area, and briefly got his attention.

He was entirely unaware of my intention to shoot him, at that time, though I had taken numerous other shots of him as he served me, all with a wide angle lens, catching him in various toothy and wonderful expressions.

Here, the balance and the compositions seem winners to me.  I'm glad you seem to share my view.  He does, he tells me as does his fellow staff, which viewed this photo.

If I were a pro shooting such things, I'd put this on my resume/portfolio, as evidence of what I could do and do quick and dirty.

The problem would be charging for 'time and travel'.  Here time was ten seconds shooting.  But travel was almost 3,000 miles one way and travel time three days.  How do you bill that?\

I'd have to charge by the job, I guess, as well as by the equipment.  Lens, a supersharp 70~200 f 2.8 with side lighting, found throughout the Ottawa, Ontario airport, simply wonderful lighting -- some of the best lighting found at any airport in the world. Kudos for the designers (from a photographer's perspective).

I can do minimalism and maximalism -- take your choice, as well as anything in between, I hope. 

I suppose if I had to 'fake a bill' I could take forever setting up and taking down, but really, I just 'recognize and see things' rather than visualizing them when I shoot like this.  I just attach lens to my camera, and hang around and when I see something likely, then I put camera to eye, frame (maybe I had the photo in my mind's eye, like as not, a few seconds earlier) then shoot. If I don't get it right, I shoot again, or again and again and again until I get it right, it just doesn't work or it falls apart and the actors walk away or the light goes away. 

The point is you can't 'sell effort' but only the results.

Thanks Ken.

john

John (Crosley)

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You used the word 'simplistic'.

I prefer the word 'simple'.

'Simplistic' suggest I overly simplified, but in reality, I think I reduced this man and his image to the essence, at least for so much as needed for this one view. 

Of course, he has many more dimensions than shown here; for one he is very handsome AND full of life, not illustrated here.

But for an image, this is a very good representation of his image, showing him to his best advantage, without capturing his personality (which is quite amazing).

john

John (Crosley)

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I stand corrected...

I read the Websters definition and agree with your statement.

Sometimes, well o.k. most times I don't over think my responses to images (or other things for that matter ) "Simply" put - I let it roll out exactly as I think it....

Now you're going to force me to think through my responses to your images :)

 

- Ken

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Are simply matters of semantics, rather than true differences, and when sane and caring individuals hash them out rationally, they amount to a hill of nothing, and cement relationships.

I think we both can agree with that, for the large majority of cases.  That's why I am so careful with words.

With respect,

john

John (Crosley)

 

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Perfect for an album cover.

I wonder how is his voice... Velvety?

Can I say "dramatic", without consulting my dictionary?

: )

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How interesting that you should infer that this man has possibly a 'velvety' voice based solely on viewing this image. 

I have spoken with him, but never heard his music, and frankly cannot say for sure he's a singer . . . . though I bet he is.

Velvety?

Sounds like a claim for Scotch, but none ever was truly 'velvety', as it's full of fusil oils - nasty stuff one has to develop a liking for, but if one likes alcohol and its effects, and it then numbs the mouth (like a dentist's Novocaine a little bit) one might tolerate it differently.

(my view, but then I'm not much of a drinker).

I think in a sense I've made a 'creation', if this photo makes such an inference . . . . . other photos were quite different but none good enough to show here, unfortunately, as this man moved too quickly and framing was not the best.  (blurs resulted from his quick movements, though his teeth are superbly white and prominent . . . which do not show here at all . . . . and are perhaps his most prominent feature, and part of his perceived 'personality' -- rather 'joyous' teeth from a joyous individual with a good sense of self and personality.

You surely can call this image 'dramatic' any old day - the lighting in Ottawa airport is superb during daylight, with sidelighting coming from either side of its high overhead ceiling and huge windows . . . which unfortunately overlook (not much, meaning the best view is inside solely of the individuals you're photographing due to the wonderful lighting.)

'~)

Glad to see you drop by Bulent.

john

John (Crosley)

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It is a strong Portrait with character, I like the side lighting, the expression, the darks etc. and sure it makes a good Album cover. regards. Dara

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It wasn't meant as an album cover.

It wasn't meant as anything.

It was just an attempt to use a long 'zoom' 70-200 f 2.8 'on the fly' for a guy who had been very helpful in allowing his toothy face to be photographed while he worked and waited my table (and others of course).

So, as I left, this was one last go at it, as he was behind the bar, and I approached the bar toward the exit.

Of course, when I saw it, I turned around and went back to show him (and got his immediate approval as well as those around him).

We mentioned an album cover, as he is a musician, and if he sees this, it is available for sale, but it is copyrighted here, and cannot be used 'free', of course.  (After all, I paid for my meal -- and his generous tip too, though it was well earned).

And,  of course, although I am not a professional, I use thousands and tens of thousands of dollars worth of cameras and lenses.

I'd gladly photograph this fine man (and his friends and colleagues) all day and night for a long time, if their behavior and character is anything like his.

Dara P.

Thanks so much for the comment.

john

John (Crosley)

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