'The Gathering'

A number of stylish young women have a 'Gathering' recently in a big

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

welcome. If you rate harshly, very critically or wish to make an

observation, please submit a helpful and constructive comment; please

share your photographic knowledge to help me improve my

photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

I simply love images such as this! The action of their talking and visiting is implied with only the bottom half of the image being shown. Great story unfolding as my mind completes the image.

 

I love how the folds and creases of their jeans seem to mirror the shadows on the bricks. Also... I think the graduation of the heel height is shown in full circle going counter clockwise. The flat boots, to medium height heel, then on to higher heel and ended with the dark black extremely high heel. I love images that create a feeling of full circle. Great moment captured with such a wonderful sense of storytelling.

 

deb

John I agree with everything that Deb has stated but I believe the element that gives this gaggle of youthful legs its extra "umph" is that heart shaped purse.This clues us as to what this gathering is truely about.

Yours is an outstanding critique.

It is the ideal of how a superb critique should be written, at least where it is not heavily critical.

You point out so many different relationships; a viewer and myself too, if truth be told, can only be richer in their understanding (including me the photographer) for having read your most interesting and thorough analysis of this photo.

Usually, I have several points held 'in reserve' to add when replying -- here I have nothing at all, just praise and a nomination for one of the best (laudatory category) analytical critiques on Photo.net in recent memory.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand why I took and posted this photo (I did a double take myself too, when I read it, knowing that somewhere subconsciously I processed all of most of that info too, but didn't articulate it.  I might have done some (maybe most) if you hadn't stepped in, as the critique process went on, but I'm late the party on this one -- this is your party.  Step to the head of the class.

john

John (Crosley)

You picked up on the ONLY point that Deb Cloud did NOT cover in her comprehensive and stunning analysis above -- text book perfect.

But you trumped and added the one thing that 'holds it all together' -- the clue to the subject of conversation -- affairs of the heart, which is what most young women dressed for 'trolling' in Ukraine (and this is dress for 'trolling' don't kid yourself, especially in Ukraine), have on their minds.

Their moms are pressing them or getting ready to press them when they turn 21 'Where are my grandchildren?'  It's a mantra among many mommas, who missed the good times when they were new mommas themselves and their own mommas (then grandmas, raised their kids as they worked.

It's that sort of system.  Mom can disappear even for months, maybe to work abroad, and grandma steps in.  Grandma may not be too old, either -- a 50 year old grandma may have a 30 year old daughter with a 10-year-old and an eight-year-old, and it'd be 'normal' and there easily might also be a divorce (with a drunk husband or ex) or maybe an auto or drowning death (from the effects of too much drink -- commonly but not universally . . . . just too often told a tale to be comfortable.

Philip, you hit the nail on the head and pounded it in.

Is there anything else left to say?

john

John (Crosley)

The woman in pants nearest the camera - her pants are fire engine red.

There's no missing her, even from a mile (or kilometer or two) away.

john

John (Crosley)

(You may see this in color on 'another service' some day, not soon).

jc

My fondest memory of Lviv and Kiev was how the women would not surrender their high heels even in the most difficult pedestrian situations! GJ

My fondest memory of Lviv and Kiev was how the women would not surrender their high heels even in the most difficult pedestrian situations! GJ

That is changing somewhat in Kiev with the financial crisis -- less money to pay for high fashion shoes and also intrusiveness of Western wear.

However, in the regions, high heels remain more pervasive.

This photo, however, was taken in Kyiv, and from the styles, recently.  (Platform high heels look like golf drivers!  Last season's highest fashions)

Even boots are high heel, but as a friend who wears them in ice storms points out, the heel offers excellent purchase as a brake when skidding on an icy sidewalk or road.  High heels have a practical advantage when you'd least expect it!

In Slavic Countries, a woman's beauty is part of her treasure, and she is schooled in knowing how to use it well -- it's in the culture.

Insightful comment. 

[Oh, and you can say that again, if you wish ;~))]

john

John (Crosley)

John

 

I did not overlook that element, I merely overlooked including in my thoughts and I did have a very interesting point of view on the heart shaped purse...

 

It amazing how the placement of the girls legs create a heart shaped effect. Look at the top of the purse and compare it to the large open space of the gathering... then follow the legs to the legs in the foreground and you will see what I'm seeing. It's not "jump off the page at you", but nevertheless, it's very apparent when you look at the purse and then the gathering. I just could not find a way to put those thoughts into words yesterday so I guess I just posted what I had already written. How could I not see the importance of that purse :)

 

deb

If you hadn't made the above point, I would have made it just now by myself, or waited a while to see if anybody else might have made it.

It does not 'jump off the page at you' as you said, but with the depth of analysis on this minor photo, ANYTHING that has any symbolism at all, seems destined to be uncovered by you two able critics and explained.  Like I said above, when I really start looking for relationships, things like that are not long to be uncovered -- but here you really beat me to the punch as I had not even started thinking about this photo when you 'WHAM!' hit me over the head with an outstanding and most cogent and able analysis then Mr. Ward came in to finish things off.

I do keep 'kickers' around often just in case, and this was that -- just like poker players keep 'Ace kickers'.  Just in case they're needed.

Again, I doff my chapeau to you.

john

John (Crosley)