'Watch Your Head'

'Watch Your Head' may not be apparent on first glance, but if you

don't 'get it' please give it a moment. The question that presented itself

to me was 'crop'? or 'don't crop'?, however I'm a dedicated 'minimalist'

when it comes to cropping, and a 'compose in the viewfinder'

photographer, so it is presented as a whole. I invite your opinions, also

whether it is best as a 'color' or a 'black and white' photo (not

submitted). Your ratings, critiques and remarks are invited and most

welcome; if you rate harshly or very critically, please submit a helpful

and constructive comment; thank you in advance for sharing your

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Enjoy! John

Great work John congratulation best regards

I agree; for me this is an surprise 'gem'.

I think raters and viewers are not sure what to make of it; but for me it's a rare capture; one of those unexpected ones you cannot really predict, and just the result of 'being there'. (Remember 'Chauncey Gardner' in the movie 'Being There' played by Peter Sellers who was a real dunce but sounded  very erudite because he spoke in short, almost proverbial expressions and proceeded to be considered for high public office? -- I feel like 'Chauncey Gardener -- I was 'there' and just happened to snap my shutter at the right time).

I feel that many will not 'get' or 'appreciate' this photo; tant pis (French:  so much the worse) for them; you did, on the other hand and kudos to you.  It's among my new favorites.

I spent a day taking workmanlike photos, and found them uninspiring, mostly, but this has some sort of 'magic' that is a thing that I feel personally that cannot be described and for which there are no 'do-overs'.  It's not entirely by happenstance, but so very far 'out there' on the 'chance' occasion that it almost feels 'accidental' though part of a very short, very inspired burst.

I know one thing:  there isn't another like it in the world; never will be -- it's entirely original.

I feel very validated by your comment and rate (first rate was a '4') and I said then 'either I must consign this to personal favorites no one gets', or 'the viewer didn't 'get it'.

Thanks so much for letting me know you 'got it'.  It obviously means a lot to me.  After all, a photo that has 'hidden meaning' that remains hidden is just so much rubbish.  This  'art' or 'craft' is all about communicating, and 'cleverness' such as this photo expresses is for me the highest art in 'street' shooting.

[i did figure out how to convert to B&W; I converted the 'red' of the cherry(?) through its color channel to a lighter color so it outlines the man's head, instead of blending with it, and it works pretty well, but not nearly as well as this.  watch for it on another service. (I do not link between services).]

Best to you.

;~))

john

John (Crosley)

The tones are very nice, I like them very much, they make the photo. Pastel green, pink, salmon.

Other remarks:

- I don't see a real reason for the tilt of the photo;

- The left part is funny but not "smashing". I guess you used a wide angle lens but the perspective is nevertheless extremely compressed;

- The picture has very many focal points and its really "punching" feature are the tones.

L.

The 'tilt' of the photo comes from wide angle distortion, it's left and right, and even some at center left.  Also, I was experimenting, hardly expecting to make a capture.

The colors do make the photo, with the only thing that is 'worthy' of the capture at left, but not sharp enough to excerpt and make a crop, yet somehow for me the whole thing holds together, which is why I posted it.

It's a very unusual photo, you'll have to admit, and the colors are very harmonious for all their brightness.

It's a subtle photo -- many wouldn't 'get it' I feel, unless they lingered a moment and really looked.  The drive-by or thumbnail looker may not see much except a jumble and wonder 'why post this?'

Thanks for the feedback.

john

John (Crosley)_

It depends on many elements, color, proportionality, (composition), humour, timing, some sense of the absurd.

When I make a capture like this, or literally 'think one up in advance (though this one by seconds only)', I remember why I go out and take photos; these are the sorts I measure my best skills by.

john

John (Crosley)

Great eye!  I'm enjoying your portfolio....

I'm so glad you're enjoying.

This photo was mostly overlooked, much to my disappointment, but there's little arguing with viewers' collective taste.  You can't 'force' people to 'like' something.

There's much to be said for achieving 'success' with the viewers here; their collective wisdom is usually pretty good, individual beefs about ratings aside.

Welcome!

john

John (Crosley)