'One Face of America''

America is a melting pot with each person having his or her own

individual look and dignity. This is one American captured recently on

the West Coast. Your ratings, critiques and remarks are invited and

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

observation, please submit a helpful and constructive comment; please

share your photographic knowledge to help improve my photography.

Thanks! Enjoy! John

The original portrait!

Few Europeans know it, but America, settled mainly by Europeans but who brought in black slaves by the boatload, remains an immigration destination from all over the world, and as a result, especially in West Coast states, such as California, European white descendants soon or already are in a minority and in major cities already are.

Mexicans with their frequent Indian/Native American heritage mixed in the blood of many and their brown skin, are considered 'non-white' for these purposes of comparison.

America remains a destination for those from all over the world, and to step into West Coast America would be pure culture shock for many Ukrainians.

In Ukraine, people push, shove and point often (especially young people) when a rare black face appears in a crowd.

I often wonder what causes the commotion, since to see a black face or talk to a black person or person of another color is common currency (ordinary) to me, and just part of life -- often we get along very well, especially since Obama became president and black hostility has eased substantially.

Obama's presence in the White House has done more for race relations than almost any other single thing in US history, yet is a culmination of things I have fought for all my life in my own almost insignificant way . . . . but every effort counts.

And women of mixed Ukrainian-black blood I've seen in Ukraine have carried forth Ukraine's tradition of beautiful women, but with some exotic flavor -- not all of course -- but enough that Ukrainians should be proud of the black colors in their midst -- what very few there are and how seldom they appear.

I know there is a 'black' section of Kyiv, but seldom see a black face.  I talk to such individuals occasionally, and they seem happy, when they are not 'illegal immigrants' fearful of arrest.

This woman has an unusual appearance -- one presumes she's African, but in fact any person of extreme equatorial cliimate can be equally dark -- from Southern India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, or other more equatorial places as well as those of black African descent.

Her unusual physiognomy does not comport with contemporary standards of traditional beauty, but her coloration and her physiogonomy made her highly attractive to me as a photo subject, so I stopped her and said 'I've GOT to have your portrait,' and she obliged.

For hers is (to Americans) an unusual face - maybe not one so unusual in a certain part of black Africa, as there are hundreds or maybe even thousands of variations of the appearance and physiognomy from people of color who come from that continent.

Even in America, she's a head turner for her unsusual physiogonomy.

In a particular area of Africa, she might be a beauty queen!

I treated her with utmost respect; as befits any of my subjects I encounter, and she was quite nice to me in return.

To Ukrainians in my experience, seeing a black person often is a cause for commotion and finger pointing 'see what I see, a black person!'

That reaction often startles me.

America soon will be just the opposite.

People in America may some day say 'look, I see a white person, a native American immigrant or European' as American now turns 'brown'.

Americans from North and South, led by young people, seem to accept increasing intermixing of the races -- an old time fear of the racial segregationists that is coming to fruition.

Young people lead the way, a product of now- longer period of integration helping erase a stain on America's sordid racial history.

Thanks for expressing your opinion, Svetlana. 

Your views are ALWAYS welcome here. 

I hope you don't mind my own commentary in reply.

I photograph the 'interesting people' and the 'unusual faces' of Ukraine, and I do the same in the USA.  People are people and are infinitely varied.  As street photographer the more varied the face, the more 'interesting' the photo, often.

I applaud the earth and its many colors and variations in physiogonomy, but still prefer traditional Western standards of beauty, though for my lifetime, I've not been loyal to that standard -- my friends of the opposite sex have come from every racial group in the world -- my same sex friends, too.

john

John (Crosley)

Thanks for that very informative piece. I suppose America is where racial intermingling has taken place most freely. British can claim Britain and Indians India, but when it comes to America, it seems that the country claims the people instead of the other way around.

Technically, of course, the photo is of the highest standards. The wide angle perspective has worked well here. Tonality is excellent. It would be interesting to know a little bit more of her surroundings, though the photo would lose impact if you included too much detail. I like the cropping out of her upper forehead. Can I ask what metering mode you used for this?

At first glance, she appears smiling. Concentrate on the angle of the mouth and the pursed lips; it is as if there is a bit of wincing, a bit of pain. Maybe a bit of history as well.

Regards.

Sometimes when I post, I am completely surprised by viewer reaction.

This photo seems to be 'ho hum' to many, but to me it is of highest standards, not only for reproduction, but also for a most interesting depiction, albeit lacking in 'action; but it's a portrait, within an environment (bus station/trolley station/parking garage = commuter center, to answer your question.)

So, there has been minimal interest in a photo many saw on my camera (I show my display to many strangers who inquire) as one of my 'best'.

But if no one cares, it's like the tree that falls in the forest.  It may make a sound physically, but as far as the world is concerned it fell silently.

This photo is a little like that; it's possibly partly due to 'political correctness' or just people loathe to say bad things about an unfortunate (for some) physiognomy, accentuated by a wide angle lens.

For 'interesting' I give this high marks for a static subject, just on tonality and subject matter (and it's a rare one at ISO 200 for me).

I had much problem with focus in her left eye (as she views us).  It turns out it reflects specular highlights of three lights or skylights AND she may have some glaucoma - not a lens/focus issue at all.

It's present in all shots, less so in this one possibly due to less reflectivity of the skylight and/or lights.

Samrat, bless you for pointing out the lips/mouth and the possible conclusions one can draw from them.

And just 'bless you' for your astute critiques, which I look forward to.

john

John (Crosley)

Europeans brought blacks to America to be slaves......That is interesting because we brought Africans to Israel so they would not be slaves or die in genocide etc. In fact, in 36 hours of non-stop flights we brought 14,325 from Africa to Israel and did not have a Civil War over it. Fortunatly for them we did not bring Obama, Jesse J. or Al S. If they were in the mix we would have sent them back and they might have ended up fighting for Somali "Pirates Rights" or be one themselves.

I remember the airlift of the black Africans; it was a sign of deep commitment by your country to a 'homeland' for those of the disapora - no matter what the color.  For that your country deserves accolades.

I understand your feelings about Mr. Sharpton; I have little use for Mr. Jackson, but highly admire Mr. Obama and am uncertain how you get to cast him in a bad light.

He is unusually deliberative, and for my money, seems to make good decisions.

From my viewpoint, he is almost the ideal captain of the ship of state.

My hat's off to him; nonflamboyant as President, but as a candidate, extremely charismatic.  The boy knows how to do it, and who can do better?

Have you got a viable suggestion for a replacement who can do better?

Perhaps you're an admirer of the now completely discredited George W. Bush who invented facts to start a trillion dollar war which nearly bankrupted America and stopped most regulation of business, setting the stage in part for a global financial meltdown (the Democrats also voted for Glass-Steagall repeal, so they are not much better for having done that).

I fail to understand vitriol about Obama.

john

John (Crosley)

I despise all three for they are amoral, antisemitic and anti-american values which america was founded on. You have no use for two of them but admire the third. That is a contradiction.  You cannot find one thing in which Obama's values and stance differs from Jesse's and Al'a. You cannot.  This is political, not photography, so now forget about it. I'm writing just to answer you question.

I disagree vehemently about Obama.  The other two you probably are right about.

You are entitled to your opinion, that's all.

john

John (Crosley)