pretty darn new "The Playground" (Part II) 'King of the Mountain' (B&W Ed.)

This is the ages-old childhood game of 'King of the Mountain' which

requires neither a king, nor a mountain, only a momentary small

elevation and a kid who can throw the others down to the ground, as is

happening here, left, and may be about to happen again (Look out

behind you!) Your ratings, critiques and observations 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 improve my

photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

Another of those "moment" photos where you have captured the action at the perfect time. The body language says it all with even the child being toppled over actually enjoying the action. The guy doing the toppling certainly looks mean and means business. I'm not sure I agree with your view of the third child getting ready to topple the second; while this is probably what happened later on, at the moment, he seems to be just enjoying the tussle. The fourth, clutching the footballs, look on rather disapprovingly. That is interesting. He's quite tall, maybe a bit older, and possibly drawn to more "serious" sport rather than push and tumble. He is waiting for this momentary fling to be over.

Rather long shadows with children at play (evening rather than  morning?). Different moods captured in one frame bringing out those carefree moments of childhood.

Great shot. Regards.

Your analysis of this photo is excellent - first class I had the ability to see what the third child did, but maybe the photo doesn't show it, so I probably should have left it out of the critique request. I love this photo and regret that it's been a low scorer - it's le moment just -- as you said. I'm proud of this one, and in part because it's entirely original, not formulaic. And every actor serves a purpose in this little play as you so aptly demonstrate. ;~)) You're hitting a great game, Samrat. Keep up the good work.

john

John (Crosley)

From the time when I viewed this first, till now, I'm surprised that I've been the only one to comment on it. I thought I'd mention it when I first saw the photo, but now it seems even more apt to point out. The other thing I missed writing was that this reminded me, the moment I viewed it, of you photo "The Step" (http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=11939235). I thought that in many ways the photos resemble each other, not least because of the timing.

I also missed "Jump!: The Playground" (http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=13228272) your rather interesting interaction with Meir Samel (which to me was like a listening to an debate between two academics). The conversation, and also the one comment by Olaf de Vries, made me realise how little I know about things that should/can be picked up from a photo. I only comment on what appears in front of me. To that end, your praise of my abilities to comment on photos seems highly excessive.

Your analyses are excellent compositional analyses and do not pretend to be reproduction analyses and with that limitation they are superb.

I think this photo is superb, and am not afraid to say so; others that get high views and reviews sometimes I'm not so sure of, but this one is a standout in my book and your reference is most apt.

Photo.net bills itself as a place to learn.

There are almost 100 comments under my Photo of the Week -- 59 at last count under the photo discussion and 38 before that.  It's some of the highest level Photo.net has seen under an individual photo and seems almost like an extension of 'digital darkroom' and at the same time 'philosophy of photography'.

These are troubled times for me, as I am shooting my hottest, yet must probably exit photography at my apex.

Sad.

I'll write you separately my good friend.

john

John (Crosley)

Samrat, because of the good timing and the full frame with a story,this is among my best ever - or close to it.

Lack of viewership response (low rates) condemn it to low viewership, and one can wonder why, but I don't worry.

I like what I like, post what I post and I know my own photograhic soul and this one has IT.

Some do have IT and other don't; IT is scarce, and when I see one with IT, I never hesitate to post.

Soon I'll be posting from my vast library if I can keep it intact.  Most will never see or recognize the difference which you will know.

john

John (Crosley)

Hi John,

This reminds me of a Rockwell.  The kids with the hats I guess that's what gives me that impression.  But it's also the motion and expressions that give that feel.  I almost want to say it's a slice of Americana but one of the boys has a shirt that looks to say Canada.  I also like how you include the young girl in the bacground, she's either watching the boys play their game or she's interested in what you're up too.  Nice life moment either way.

Rockwell might have captured something like this, but not in America.

You're right, it does say Canada; many Ukrainians even before fall of Communism emigrated to Canada which in southern part has a similar climate (Kyiv is about equal in latitude to Bellingham, Washington, but same with Montana, where it's much colder, or Idaho, and North Dakota.) 

Canada is similar and long friendly to Ukrainians - many have relatives of long standing in Canada, and newer ones (sisters or daughters) in America.

The girl was not cropped out or blurred and intentionally left in the scene in part because she was there and in part because this is the way it is . . . .boys and girls playing but often playing differently.

I like the 'line' of this photo as it reads across the screen mostly, but is still very dynamic within (mostly) one plane.

It's an interesting expression to be so full  of life in one plane, of course defined by the wall.

You are right on. This photo has had little exposure and not high rates, but it's one of my finest in my opinion.

I'm glad you like it and let me know.

john

John (Crosley)

Nice work John.

You catch the moment again on time.

Thank you for the compliment AND expecting that I'd have captured the moment.  That shows much respect. 

Either you catch the moment or it's gone forever, and for the purposes of history, it almost never really happened and certainly visually it did not happen until emphasized by the four frames of the digital aparatus and 'selecting' those moments by releasing the shutter at the exact moment.

There can be just one shot, but likely lots of them (as here) with the best ONE chosen.

Be well.

john

John (Crosley)