'The Woman and Her Legs'

This young woman and her legs were photographed in a large

Eastern European city this year, but it really could have been almost

anywhere in the Western (Caucasian) world, I think. 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 improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! john

The word 'Caucasian' is used in the American sense to indicate 'white' as opposed to the Russian/Eastern European sense to indicate people of more 'swarthy' complexion, since Russians who are mostly very white, indicate that the true Caucasians are people of the Caucasus mountains who are much more swarthy, dark skinned, and dark haired with darker beards/whiskers, etc.

Americans equate Caucasian, even officially, with 'white', but that term is not universal. 

This woman is white, but the term 'Caucasian' world is used in the American sense to describe a European world which is natively predominantly white. 

Heads turn in many Eastern European cities if a true black should pass by (that does mean necessarily discrimination, but just rarity, though I am sure discrimination exists . . . . )

The Russian word for a black person sounds exactly like Nigger -- yes, and it's used universally without thought or any offense meant consciously -- it's just the word used.

In any case, this woman is white and lives in a world that is 99% white -- it's a matter of fact, not my (or necessarily her) preference.

I've spent substantial time in a poly-racial world, delight in it, and actually spend more time in the more integrated portions of big cities where there is a huge mix or races or even in the more ethnic portions of those cities than in the lilly white portions.

I don't choose to try to try to blend in with a crowd of like-colored persons.

This is a black and white photo desaturated from color, however, in color it's slight colors show very well.

john

John (Crosley)

original... nice bw

Great shadows ,good capture .

Interesting "communication" between regular cobblestone grid and irregualr shape of the shadow.

This is a photo I 'had to take' because it as so appealing to me aesthetically.

I just saw this, raised camera, briefly framed and snapped.

It was not necessarily my genre, but I just found it so appealing.

It looks very good also in color with her flesh color through her black stockings and a hint of blue/purple from her dress/skirt, I think, otherwise, pure black and white (other than the aforementioned leg/flesh color).

Best to you, niki.

john

John (Crosley)

Yes, very good shadows for the modeling effect, plus the grid of the paving bricks, contrasted with the gentle (reverse) curves of her legs.

I found it most interesting.

I could never pose anything like this -- I like candid SO MUCH for its variety.

I learn so much from observing.

Thanks Aivar for your comment.

john

John (Crosley)

Indeed (as commented by me above) the juxtaosition of the grid and the gently curving (reverse curvature as well) of the two legs, is a nice one, plus they're very nice legs.

I am not even sure I saw her face, nor would I necessarily want to remember it now, for fear of detracting from seeing wonderful gams and distorting my perception by knowledge of an extraneous fact/circumstance.

Fact is, after a while, she turned and this situation went away, as they all eventyually do, but I had a litle time for this one.  It just appealed to me, so I captured it . . . . . and like it very much.

Glad you do to.  Best wishes.

john

John (Crosley)

Correction (of sorts)

In the comment above, I made corrections, pushed the 'enter' button, but apparently a network problem prevented them from being entered.

Thus the errors are perpetuated and with the short editing window, I now am unable to fix them.  Sorry for the lack of ease in reading the above comment.  I am far more literate than my above response shows.

john

John (Crosley)

?? I don't get it.

A.L., 'you' are a bogus account as far as I can figure, and I've continually challenged 'you' on this, plus 'your' critique is neither helpful nor constructive at all and is essentially worthless.

So whether or not you 'get it' or 'do not get it' or post a comment or do not is a waste of everybody's time. 

John Crosley

member, Photo.net

a real person

I Love legs photos (although I never made any) they tell such a story.

This woman seems to be dressed for a special occasion, nice shoes, high heels, dress, however she waited for so longher feet are aching, but she cannot sit down and ruin her clothes. You can notice she is standing in the corner as if to say " I am not here".

All this is only imagined, but this is why I love the photo. It makes me imagine. It has a story to tell. Regards, Michel.

I did NOT take this photo because of any story it might have told, but because of its aesthetics.

See the lines of the paving stones/bricks and the outline of the steps and wall, then compare the gentle curves of her legs and the filagree of her dress.

Those and the greys and blacks plus the balance and distribution of the masses are why I took the photo.

But people all the time are saying 'your photos tell stories' which at the time I heard it caused me to take pause, and finally I did understand, the photos actually do that, whether I plan that or not.

And your comment illustrates precisely how this photo tells its own story; your analysis is spot on, especially why she cannot sit, because sitting would ruin her finery.

Also, I do like nice legs, which are in abundance in Ukraine.  Dressup too, though its a little less prevalent now than seven years ago.  Thinness though still is in vogue.

;~))

It's a female watcher's delight.  Also apparently a story-teller photographer's delight, as you have reminded me.

Best and thanks.

john

John (Crosley)