'The Laugh' (II) (B&W ed.)

Some say nothing is more infectious than a laugh -- how does this

one effect you? I have many series on 'kissing couples' and am

thinking of one of people laughing -- let me know if you think that is

an appealing and a worthwhile idea or not and why, please. Your

ratings, critiques and observations are invited and most welcome. If

you rate harshly, very critically, or wish to make a remark, please

submit a helpful and constructive comment; please share your

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! And I hope smile a little! john

Thanks.

End of the SD card and camera was stalling on me to find space on the card -- I thought I'd never get this 'priceless' expression nailed down.  Finally my camera fired, thankfully, then end of the card (CARD FULL!)

I hadn't noticed my card was so close to full and thought my camera was breaking -- but no cigar.

For non-US and younger members, the expression 'no cigar' refers to old merry-go-rounds, when adult patrons seated on horses or otherwise on US merry-go-rounds were encouraged to try to put one finger through a 'brass ring' giving rise to another expression relating to 'brass rings'; e.g., 'getting the brass ring' or some such.

The prize for putting one's finger through the brass ring was a cigar!  Thus 'no cigar' in America is equivalent to saying 'failure' in a very quaint and idiomatic way familiar to many in the US, particularly the better educated -- and in former times, to almost all in America as the 'brass ring' device to encourage older riders long ago was almost standard on carnival merry-go-rounds.

Brass rings on merry-go-rounds probably went away 60 or more years ago but the expression has stayed in American English.

GungaJim, Thanks for the VERY nice comment and also for enduring an explanation of the expression for non-US members and those who are younger and unknowing.

john

John (Crosley)

His laugh makes me happy ... Your photo makes me happier ... Nice one ...

Your comment made me feel very happy myself. 

I felt the same way basically when I saw and captured this fellow's wonderful laugh.

It's just affecting, that laugh, and apparently it's infectious. 

Think of this; it's preserved forever, like an insect in amber.  As long as this depiction exists, this man's laugh will be preserved to trigger smiles or laughter in other people like it has in you and me.

'Street photography' does not always have to be sneaky and 'candid' to be affecting, I think the two of us would agree.

It's a pretty subtle photo, because it has power but it is a simple, straightforward street/environmental portrait that just depends on capturing 'the look and the moment'.

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment.

john

John (Crosley)

Excellent b/w work. I get the distinct feeling, that you somehow captured how this guy really is. His approach to life perhaps - very inspiring.

Sometimes we laugh at life's absurdities because its best not to take things too seriously.  This is often the case in the working world where absurdities are imposed upon us by others that we have no control over.  What else can you do but laugh?  That is what I think this image reminds me of, since he looks like a worker-bee in a work environment, just happy to do his job and sometimes find humor to get him through the day.  Great capture and work environmental image.

This is really an expression from within.I really feel what you captured here is not merely a man laughing at something but a man letting out some profound and genuine inner sentiment of well being.Whatever the reason,your timing was dead on to seize the full measure of his expression.The B/W with the right tones just complete this excellent image.Bravo!

Meilleures salutations-Laurent 

My goal in many cases of taking portraits, even 'street portraits, often is to reveal the 'essence' of an individual -- to get to their core.  I take it from your remark that I came very close here.

Thank you for letting me know and taking the time to do so.

john

John (Crosley)

I had some part in the reason this man was laughing, but he was inclined anyway to laugh as were his co-workers, and that just can't be manufactured.

I think you are entirely right, and I endorse your view.

Good analysis.

john

John (Crosley)

Laurent,

Very good point.

In essence, what I think I have captured here (for eternity . . . . or at least as long as I can keep this image alive . . . ) is this man's freedom to look at life from outside and not be crushed by it.

More power to him, right?

I always felt this was a more profound photo than most, and when I first posted first returns seemed to be ho-hum.  Now recent remarks seem to indicate others feel the same way.  I'm glad for the recognition. 

Thanks Laurent for taking the time and effort to make and share your analysis.

john

John (Crosley)

Great laugh John, capture on the right moment.

With a camera slowing to almost a jam for lack of space on the end of a 16 gig card, I wondered if I would get the capture at all, but finally the darned thing fired, and this is the result.

It was frustrating, but it pays to hang in there.

Thanks for a helpful comment -- feedback is always appreciated, even negative feedback when thoughtful (of course, yours wasn't but I don't need a claque of constant rooters -- real fact-based criticism has a valid place also and is not to be discouraged.)

However, I am always pleased when you comment and encourage you to return often.

john

John (Crosley)

I think this is a great picture of a laugh and I would be very interested in seeing a series on laughing. While there is a psychology to laughing, I think there is also an anthropology of laughing. This picture in what looks like a work space suggests a certain culture. I was in a store yesterday, two employees were joking. The woman behind the counter laughed under her breath, as it were. that laugh, like the one you depict, seemed to something about her but also about where she was in a social context. Thanks for the great shot. I will keep it as a favorite and look for laughs to record. all the best, ed

Yours is a great comment and tribute.

It needs no further words from me.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

john

John (Crosley)

I saw this one in another member's favorites collection and knew without seeing the photographer's name that it was yours! Absolutely wonderful and makes me smile... what is greater than that? Now it joins my collection of favorites! :)  Hope all is well John! Thank you for sharing. :)

All the best,

Trisha

Sometimes what seems like a little trifle can have such wonderful consequences -- to wit, your nice and unexpected comment several years later.

This is just a trifle, but a photo I liked and wanted to share.  It's a wonder from time to time what becomes of those photos, and your comment is one of those unexpected (and very nice) consequences.

I'm very pleased to say 'thank you'.

john

John (Crosley)