'Subway Synchronicity' (B&W Ed.)

This is 'Subway Synchronicity' in Black and White. Your ratings,

critiques and observations are invited and most welcome. If you rate

harshly, very critically or wish to make a remark, please post a

helpful and constructive comment; please share your photographic

knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks! Enjoy! john

Very good observation,nice one you caught my best regards.

This posted here in black and white and elsewhere, is one rare instance for me, elsewhere here is in color.

It seems almost to be a different photo depending on the color/B&W treatment.

I'm glad you like this version; do you agree the color version (posted a week or so ago) is quite different looking?

I am surprised by the difference; many photos are not so different between color versions and black and white, to the extent both are postable successfully; some photos just are not capable of being considered for dual posting/ they're either color or black and white, but not both, but some photos can be posted either way and be successful.

In that vein, some photos capable of dual posting are much alike, color or black and white, and others change much between a color and black and white posting.  I think this one changed substantially; am I correct or not?

Best to you Radu.

john

John (Crosley)

This is the same frame as the color frame posted earlier but with a very slight rotation issue fixed.

I really had not thought it a problem or an issue, but it was fixable (I have new skills and Photoshop CS5 which made it possible) so I fixed it in this posted B&W version.

In the course of events, I also fixed the color version; for now the older, first displayed (nonrotated version) is being displayed, but after a while, I probably will substitute the rotated color version, and if I don't save the nonrotated version, it may be a mystery what all this is about; really it's much ado about nothing at all, except to the most discerning eye -- perhaps only a gallery buyer or museum would have any 'issue' with the photo at all, IF THAT, because many famous and great photos (many of Doisneau's for intance) have serious rotation problems and so very well.

PN critics I think are harder on such issues than major critics, maybe making up in technical criticism for what many lack overall in the aesthetic and artistic realms?

;~))

john

John (Crosley)

Spare Words.

Enormous Impact and Meaning to Me.

My respect back.

Best to you.

Thanks for taking the time to let me know your impression. (I'm glad you like it).

john

John (Crosley)

whilst based on your own words one can ascribe the precision (partly) to the camera, i complement you on visualizing it and for your forbearance - the wait for the train... you created an opportunity for a clever shot

Please don't admire my waiting skills too much on this one, however much I have employed them elsewhere.

Also, I'm a very quick study on scenes (sometimes) now that I have a lot of experience.

I was in a Metro train and this was my stop.

I stepped off the coach, and as I often do, stopped to zip my coat against the exit's extreme cold. And in doing so, as I also so often do, I surveyed the platform, and spied the three people sitting there in an appealing pattern.

They did not appear likely to move quickly, and a train was on the opposing platform; my train was just leaving.

So, I adjusted my camera's focus point, really quickly adjusted, and double checked the ISO (2500, the maximum preferred for this camera in this light), then shot three shots.

This is the first.

I had waited briefly until the opposing train started to pull out because I wanted some blur effect, and hoped for some sort of 'pattern' or synchronicity.

I was rewarded on the first shot -- the second and third were not usable.

There was a slight rotation problem, fixed here but right now still visible in the color posting (I've fixed it in the color version as well, and may well replace the posted image with the corrected, rotated image.

The rotation wasn't much but it means something to me now - before such things didn't mean so much.

This is composed entirely in the camera, except with rotation, I had to add slightly to parts of the edges with a little Photoshop 'contextual fill' - a new feature of Photoshop CS5 and a manipulation, so this rotated version is manipulated - a rarity for me.

Otherwise, it would be more trimmed around the edges, not preserving the spaces around the people I had envisioned.

At times I have literally stood in one place for hours (and sat and read newspapers).  See, for instance, from early on, the photo of the two men reeling in mock fear 'A Jaguar on the Street' in the Black and White x  x x ' folder (the folder name ending changes from time to time, but it's my best work).

That one was a stakeout; a good mural, just waiting for the right passersby, and eventually, after hours, I was rewarded.

I occasionally stop a stranger on the street, and I ask for a 'portrait' because, I tell them, I'm a Photo Artist who does Photo Portraiture, and I must count on their often weary and suspicious forebearance to give me their time and cooperation.

I did that two days ago in -10 Fahrenheit weather (minus 23 Celsius).  A bearded man on the streeet looked at captures of another bearded man, decided I advertised myself truthfully, then stood still for 71 captures, changing pose occasionally; he was good looking with a fabulous beard and fresh snow on him. 

I am not entirely satisfied with the photos -- they could have been better, but the whole thing was done in four to five minutes and many poses, many incorporating varying backgrounds, but not all are satisfactory - his expression is 'off' with ones with the best background.

I'll get one postable photo out of it, and I'm trying to determine which one.

I have patience in the right circumstance and can stand for a long time surveying a likely situation - like someone to move into the correct juxtaposition with a background or other element, but so often now, it all happens in a minute or so, or it doesn't happen at all.

Or maybe I'm dining and watching and when I have leisure I can pick things up as they happen around me; that's  patience without being patient - an economy of sorts.

I'm pretty efficient.

I can go out for a day and occasionally (every month or so) not get one good shot (in my view); then the next or a few days later, get five or 12 on one outing.

Go figure.

I have good days and bad days, and the good days outnumber the bad days significantly now.

Thank God!

Thanks for the supportive comment.

john

John (Crosley)