"The 'Seinfeld' Photo"

Q. Is this photo like the highly popular television situation comedy

series 'Seinfeld'? A. It's about 'Nothing' -- Except I hope good

composition. Good composition is where you find it, even in a photo

about 'nothing'. I like its comnposition, even though this photo I liken to

the 'Seinfeld' comedy series -- which famously was about 'NOTHING' --

and boasted about it. Does this photo have good composition even if

it's about 'nothing'? Your ratings, critiques and ideas are invited and

most welcome. If you rate harshly or very critically or wish to make a

statement, please submit a helpful and constructive comment; please

share your photographic knowledge to help improve my photography.

Thanks! Enjoy! john

John, I admit I am not quite aware of the compositional aspects of this photo. Your other two recent photos (the one of the railing ultimately leading the eye to the clouds and the one with the lady and her shoe) are more or less self-explanatory in this regard. Could you please elaborate on the composition here? Thanks.

That's why I say this photo is about 'nothing'.

The foreground figure is is strong contrast -- strong black and white, leading to other features that are less contrasty -- the cars and the factory building (for rent) in the background (orenda is what it says 'for lease' or 'for rent').

From the front to the background there is a progression of contrast from the more contrasty to the less contrasty.

Taking the subjects, the initial subject, and most prominent is at the far right.

The eye then follows to the car, left most, then the second, farther car, somewhat more rightmost (or center in the photo).  The eye plays zig-zag through the photo much as it does with an 'S' or 'Z' figure.

Then the eye transitions to the building, background which is of an entire other shape, but which does not fill the fame.

The shapes also progress from a narrow figure, to two broader figures to a wider but not frame-filling figure -- the 'for rent' or 'for lease' building in the background.

For a photo about 'nothing' I find it pleasing to look at . . . . . not your average photo of a pedestrian standing on street side (waiting for a bus?)

It depends on exact placement of the automobiles with the one, leftmost, auto being in precise relationship to the car to its right -- any different placement and this photo would be in the ashcan instead of being posted.

Same for the progression of figures, narrrower to wider.

And same for the progression of contrast, stronger contrast to less contrast.

This is a photo about 'nothing' that leads the eye from the front to the back and is a pure exercise in composition, but unlike my recent photo about the Cathedral de Notre Dame, you are not rewarded by what's in the background.   It's just a 'for rent' building, but of just the proper propostions. 

If his were a famous person, it might easily be published just for its composition and its showing how that person weathered the elements.

It's just a photo about 'nothing', but to me surprisingly pleasingly laid out.

Your opinion is entitled to vary.

I do allow you to view my thought process however, as it is quite ordered.

And I do not play a joke on you and viewers with this photo; I regard it highly 'in its genre'.

john

John (Crosley)

This photo may not have particular meaning to you, and may not be so appealing to any particular aesthetic, but somehow to me it is aesthetic -- to me 'it holds together'.

That is all I need for a photo to succeed minimally.

For it to 'hold together' and be 'viewable'.

Which I think in my mind this one does just that, minimally at least.

john

John (Crosley)

I also find this image to be interesting.

I will share with you what caught my eye as soon as I viewed it...

The buttons/snaps on his coat seem to mirror the three wheels that are visible of the vehicles.  Also, I find the slope of his nose to mirror the slope of the hatchback in the foreground.  I find the slight cut of his eye very interesting as it seems to be going in the direction of the wind blown fur around his hat/cap.

Finally, I like how the windows in the building in the background seem to be compliment the windows of the vechicles.

Indeed, this is a shot about nothing, however, so much is going on within this image.

deb

You have added three additional elements for critique to this photo I had not recognized, though I had 'seen' in some offhand way and insome way had added to my estimation of this photo.

You so often are different and unusual in what you spot, and you are 'spot on' in the usefulness of what you see, that again 'my hat is off' to you.

Best wishes to you and thanks for a valuable critique.

john

John (Crosley)