'The Rigors of Air Travel'

This coach passenger experiences the last 'lay flat' seat he'll

experience before he gets to his final destinatoin unlike those who

fly in ultra-elite long-haul business and first class cabins with seats

that convert to 'lay-flat' (beds). 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! john

Hi John

Nice composition. Opportunity. Nice colors and textures. Good contrast. Good sharpness (DOF) and adequate brightness. It is a curious europeans airports scene. Is it a bed??? Best regards. Roldao

I'm glad this photo meets your checklist -- it's detailed enough that I can see it scored well and how it scored.  I like it, even if it's not going to be Photo of the Week.  It's just a good pedestrian photo, I think AND it tells a story.

No, this is NOT a European airport but an American one.  The furniture is a multipurpose affair, designed mostly as a bench but available for those stranded inside security overnight so they can rest a little.  This fellow either for up too early and went back to sleep after passing through security, or he slept all night and is shielding his face from daylight (see hands on face), having not had enough sleep.

Thanks for sharing your criterio. Best wishes.

john

John  (Crosley)

A v good street shot of a subject that many would pass by. I believe for a variety of reasons that we should record scenes like this. I like the fact that the guy is face down. Getting more difficult to take shots in airports due to supposed security risks. Well seen and executed, best wishes William.

Hi John

Thanks for explanation. This is a good suggestion for the Fiumicino Airport in Rome. Passengers who spend the night in the boarding lounge's Fiumicino Airport sleep on the ground without the slightest comfort. Best regards. Roldao.

I also believe there are many scenes so many pass by that should be recorded, and I do so routinely; just view my portfolio -- and if you could see the ones I don't post you'd be convinced what I write here.

Basically this is more than just a photo of a guy fatigued and sleeping prone -- hands on face say 'too much light' and 'complete exhaustion'.

The roll a board bag in the background and the woman passenger help set the place as an airport, not a hotel lobby, bus station, or train station, as well as the well kept and somewhat modern, spacious interior.

I think 'telling a story' was also important and why so many of my other 'daily document shots' that don't 'tell a story' don't get posted. Story-telling potos seem to have more to them compositionally when they're not striving for beauty and don't necessaray have great composition -- though here the composition is good and simple at once.

As I said this above, this is a 'fun photo' for me and somewhat a favorite just for being simple and fun.

I am not bothered by security and recall seeing a directive by the TSA powers that be saying they no longer bar photography of the security inspections.

But try challenging that . . . . . if it's true.

So, I don't know if it's true or ever went into effect;, but I act as though the ban still is in effect because TSA can make me miss a plane just because of general crappiness and misunderstanding of directives. 

If I'm going to challenge, i would have the directive with me and be passing security with my camera to take photos 12 hours before my flight.

Thanks for the kind comment.

john

John (Crosley)

This is maybe unique to this particular airport or a few like it; not every US airport provides places possible to sleep.

In some cops will roust you if you doze off, too.

Also in this airport in many places young people waiting for morning flights traveling in groups may be found dozing in their sleeping bags at far-flung gates on the floor, as such benches are few and far between at this airport -- there are just a few.

I'd be amazed to find such things at most terminals at JFK airport, NYC for instance or any major NYC airport outside of an executive lounge for a major long-haul internatonal carrier (in a special lounge room for napping, a rare place but there are a few in European counries such as Germany and perhaps at Fiumimcino?  You have to have a special gold/platinum airline card to get access to such places though; I have a Gold Card from traveling more than a million miles for one alliance,so I have actually seen such things.  (never slept in such a room though . . . . they're more recent, I think, too.)

I thank you for the commentary.

john

John (Crosley)

I also like getting pictures in airports. The trick is getting a good one. You've done it. I like what you have to say about the importance of story, especially in simple compositions. This one clearly has a story. If I think about airports in the 1950s the contrast with this is wonderful. and in fifty years, people will ask was this what air travel was like. nice shot. thanks. ed

Compliment accepted, with pleasure.

Thank you so much.

john

John Crosley

I can now add that I have slept a night on this self same bench.

john

John (Crosley)