'Wanna Anger This Guy?'

This is the friend of an acquaintance; a man with a rubber face and a

most unusual look. I suggested he'd make a great Mafia enforcer, (all in

good fun), and his friends agreed, at least based on this view of an

otherwise agreeable guy. Your ratings, critiques and remarks are

invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly or very critically, or wish

to make an observation, please submit a helpful and constructive

comment; thank you in advance for sharing your photographic

knowledge to help improve my photography. Enjoy! John

Looks suspiciously like a neighbor of mine...

Good portrait ....

I'm reminded of the old saying: 'Be kind to your neighbor; he knows where you live.'

Words of wisdom? 

Thanks for the comment.

john

John (Crosley)

This guy would make a great character actor; at least he has the face for it.

This is the sort of face that can launch a Hollywood career . . . IF one is close enough to Hollywood to get noticed and has a visa . . . . .

[For the record, he has a GREAT smile too.]

Thanks for the comment.

john

John (Crosley)

This of course, is just the appearance of emotion.  The man has a 'rubber face' and can smile with just as much expression as this deep and disapproving looking frown.

But it's wonderful, as everyone who was present when I took it and who saw it agreed.  When do you see a look like this, anyway? 

Thanks for the helpful comment.

john

John (Crosley)

Nice to know this man was known to you through someone. However, this is not an everyday occurrence with street/candid shots.

The approach is "on-the-face". I sometimes wonder if there is a limit to the proximity in street photos. A lot boils down to the approach, I suppose, but even with the best of intentions, things are not pleasant all the time. I try and avoid such situations as I do not know how people may react, and an informed consent destroys spontaneity (did he hold this expression for the shot?).

His expression contrasts well with the sketches behind, which seem those of happier people. This accentuates any comic situation the man may have tried to bring about with his facial contortions.

Great detail and tones. Regards.

PS: Meir Samel is being very helpful.

I met this guy when he was talking with artists, but he spoke almost exclusively Russian/mine is extremely poor.

But I saw his range of expressions and vowed to take his photo and said 'portrait' which is a cognate (the same word in Russian as English with different accents).

He agreed by action and began to pose a little, and at one time had frowned as I had seen him, but not like this.  He smiled and I took his smiling photo, but what interest was that, even with a rubber-faced guy with a huge expression.

So, I made a face to him - a very sour face - suggesting he in his way imitate what I was doing.  It'a a good way of communicating cross-linguistically, and it worked.

For a fraction, with my wide angle lens in his face (and me on tip toes), he flashed this expression and at the same time I snapped the shutter.

He never made this expression again, but I showed it to his friends and him and all agreed it was wonderful, even if it did not depict him 'truly'.

It was all taken in great fun, which is why I'm friends (or friendly) with these people, who work the street.

They enjoy my photos since they're artists and my 'drawing is instant' (Cartier-Bresson) while theirs takes the better part of an hour for one sketch.

I'm glad Mr. Samel is helping; I went to some effort (pleasant) to ensure he would consider, since basically he LOVES his tonalities and I think your need and his abilities to teach are a good match.

Let me know by e-mail how it works out, would you?

john

John (Crosley)

I don't know what kind of photographic knowledge I can contribute to this shot.  I love the very distorted expression.  It sort of appears almost wide angle with the lens close to his nose making is appear larger than usual but you'll probably say this is a natural feature of his face.  In that case this expression agrees with you initial observation.  He looks like a wise-guy from the Sopranos.  I like how his face lends some contrast to the nicely proportioned drawings on the wall behind also, it's kind like his face is actually a cariicature.

You are right on all counts.

This is a wide angle -- a 10-24 mm Nikkor, pretty darn sharp and at ISO 2500 with a less than prosumer camera.

I was 'right in his face' practically, with his kind permission, as he enjoyed the attention, briefly.  I didn't push it, given the expressions he could muster, but he also could smile -- which he did when he saw this capture.

In fact, he has a very infectious smile.

You make an interesting point abou the portraits, rear, and that was planned.  In fact, he's so tall I had to stand on tip toes not even looking thorugh the viewfinder to take this photo, just taking it by prefocusing, then raising my camera higher than my eyesight then snapping this (and others).

I tried to capture such an expression with viewfinder at eye level but couldn't get the background in, which (if you read my presentation 'Photographers: Watch Your Background') you know I prefer to complete a photo.  The background 'adds something special - just imagine this without a blank, nonharmonious or even conflicting background and it would not be very good at all, despite his wonderful expression.

I made the surmise that he would make a good Sicilian Mafia-type enforcer and now I'm afraid his friends all will greet him with his new moniker -- I may have started something -- time will tell.   They used the description widely - most had never seen this expression which he conjured up just for me.

I'm not afraid to 'manipulate' a 'look' for a portrait from a willing subject, compared to my 'usual' street work.

You have competely understood this photo, and deserve to pat yourself on the back (as I do now for you).

Of course, it goes almost without saying, this is a great caricature, but his face itself is a caricature he wears daily (not with this expression though).

john

John (Crosley)

Sometimes when photographing 'surreptitiously' but near someone with a risk I'll be spied and a 'situation' may arise, I notice that I've been spied, which can happen instantaneously and at very close (and potentially dangerous) quarters.

I'll immediately say in Russian, English or whatever language is appropriate'

'My Name is John; I'm a photographer, thank you so much for the photo!' with my hand outstretched, a smile and/or grin on my face, a twinkle in my eye (like I've caught them being 'real') and the person is almost always so taken aback by such unexpected behavior, almost all shake my hand, and once that's done, they have little choice but to tolerate me. 

Hand shaking has special significance, and even the offer of a hand coupled with a knowing smile, the offer of a 'real' name and a genial nature can go a great way to defusing a potantial 'situation'.

Each circumstance is different, and sometimes it's best not to take the photo, but I get bolder as my street 'methods' get better.  You will too provided you continue.  It's kind of like a test of wills and skill; and you're the winner -- you've got the photo and a happy subject too or at least far from danger. 

If someone asks 'did you take my photo?' you can answer truthfully 'yes, but it stinks' or  'yes and it's great, come on over let's look at it together', or other reponses as the occasion arises.  People say 'delete' and I'll say 'I've taken 1/2 millioin photos and never deleted on; but it's not good, so why would I want to show it to anyone, and I'm not obviously the secret police . . . . .  which they can see.

If the photo is good, you offer to show it, but if not, you ask to take another then show that, or complain that they 'broke your camera' -- indicating the camera is broken by showing it's broken with your hands, (mining a broken camera with your hands) after you snap the snutter and clucking your tongue . . . . .  then sighing, looking sad, and a little bit accusing.

In other words, street theater, and it WORKS!

Not always, but often.

Usually it can't hurt.  The worst you can be seen then is as a pest in almost all circumstances and there won't be a fight or any roughousing or threats.  Worst that might happen is that you'll get an angry or rude word, but very, very seldom.  You have to learn to endure that and measure the worth of your photos versus the occasional brickbat directed at you.  I judge it's worth the risk in most circumstances (Occasionally I make a mistake, but less and less often).

;~))

Live and learn.

I share these things with Photo.net members; your questions help coax them out of me.

john

John (Crosley)