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La Casa y Hombre


pemongillo

Make: Epson ;
Model: Perf3200 GT-9800;
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows;


From the category:

Street

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I took this image in 2000 in Mexico with my 4x5. It has been almost

impossible to print. I have wanted to scan it for some time and finally

got around to it today. Comments are appreciated.

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A couple of initial thoughts:  The man seems to be close tonally with the background, including (unfortunately) his face, so he's "harder to see."  The open door is intriguing, and I think I see a mural and a staircase; if that area were brighter and showed more detail, I think it might have a stronger visual invitation to enter.  Last, I really know nothing of the house, whether I'm in front or back, whether this is a large building or small, whether it is a single house or a building with multiple families, and so the photo doesn't address some issue that naturally come to mind (my mind, at least).  Your B&W work is excellent, as always, particularly the building and the stones in the ground.  My biggest wish is that the man had been leaning against the building just to the right of the door opening.....but then you have a lot of "empty" space in the foreground and probably not the relaxed look you were after.  No easy answer from my point of view.

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I definitely see the problem with the tone of the man and wall. It looked a little better than here in PS. I have attached another version with the background behind him lightened. Can't move him to the door though. There is no wall painting in the hall, just cracked plaster and peeling paint. There is no more detail in the upper door. Thanks for the thoughts Stephen.

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Paul,

I have to agree with Stephen and it is a difficult one, perhaps it is a matter of proportions and one wonder how much space within the frame would you give to the man and how much of his house, taking into consideration that your photos are always extremely well detailed, informative and almost meant for a study. This is my opinion and I could be wrong. Still always very interesting work.  Best wishes, Bachir

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i love the idea of this photo. I feel there is a silverish hue to the photo that is somehow a bit distracting for me, but with that being said it doesnt take away from the moment and the scene. the photo has character for me and soul.

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Thanks for the suggestions and compliments. I have made a digital print with the lighter background (and the annoying light line around parts of his pants removed on my second version). The print looks great to my eye. I have compared it to previous 11x14 inch prints I made under the enlarger and everything that I had trouble dodging and burning is addressed. The digital print I just made looks very good, but when I convert it to an 11x14 negative and make a silver gelatin print in the darkroom, I think I will finally be happy with the image. Internet sized prints from my scanned 4x5 negatives never seem to look that great on the screen. They probably have souls and reject the idea of being digitized ;-)

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I like this image and I am sure your film print will beat the digital by a couple miles.  I get the impression from this image that the man is cloned in or added afterward even though of course not. Its the trouble and joys of digital.  Hope to see your film print.

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Marie, you are not the first to say that. I heard that a couple of times years ago when I showed the print as a wet print.  There is some weird light around his legs, that I removed digitally....and yet that feeling that I added him is still there.  Verrrry Interesting.  I took a printing workshop with John Sexton as a (graduating from work gift to myself) in 2004. Part of the workshop was to bring ten prints for critique....not just your best prints. All but one were large landscapes and they got the whole range of emotions from John including anger with one of the them. That was a little bizare for me, but heck I evoked an emotion and thats what its all about, right? This was the only portrait. He walked back and forth by it several times without saying anything. He finally stopped in front of it after commenting on the other nine prints and said softly then more loudly...I like this, yes I really like this and I like this about it and that about it. He seemed to be surprised that he liked the print. Some prints just need to be studied to be appreciated.

 

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I like "the man infront of his house theme". And the carry it out in a very expressive way. Well composed. The texture underlines the realism of the image.

Well done.

Tommy

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As something of a street photographer myself (though hardly in your league) it's always a pleasure to discover such a striking portfolio. I admire not only your eye but the beautiful presentation and arrangement of tones within the picture which has lately become somewhat of a preoccupation with me. The tonality and composition here is wonderful, especially the beautiful arched doorway in the rear which adds another level of depth and hints at a yet unexplored reality.
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