'The Surreal Street'

Sometimes I 'explain' my photos, but for this photo, taken in the City

of the Angeles, I'll let you 'splain it to me. Full frame at 1/400th of a

sec. f 9, crop sensor. Your ratings, critiques and observations are

invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly, very critically or if you

wish to make a remark, please submit a helpful and constructive

comment; please share your photographic knowledge to help

improve my photography (color version shines in its own way.)

Thanks! Enjoy! john

Original theme captured!

Once in a while, you know you've got one that's entirely original.

From the start I've preached 'choosing one's background' to make photos more interesting and have PN's largest presentation just on that subject.

This one 'takes the cake', I think.

Color is extraordinary, but I wanted to post in B&W, since here I'm posting traditional work.  I may post in my color folder too, sooner or later -- and I seldom post a work twice.

Better, from the same batch of graffiti and passersby I got several other potentially noteworthy shots, all in a very brief time.

My equipment, a Nikon D7000 and a 55~200 F 4.5~5.6 'kit' zoom, but really a wonderful pairing -- one of the best pairings I've ever held, especially for a telephoto combination.

With the extra $100 for the extra 100 mm over the 'kit' 55~200 mm' it was a wonderful investment, and one I'd make over, and over, and over again.  I can't believe my luck, plus compared to the cumbersome 70~200 f 2.8 (VRI and VRII) the version performs rather admirably though not perfectly.  This was stopped down to f9, and its sharpness is admirable

In short, I have no complaints and the combo I shot with is easier on the neck than using the extraordinarily heavy AND cumbersome 70~200 VR I (or II), f 2.8.  With today's sensors with greater sensitivity, you have less need for that's second lens's greater light gathering power since now you can dial up your ISO to greater and greater numbers and not worry overmuch about noise (but this was base ISO or not much higher in waning light.

An argument for the f 2.8 max aperture is the ability to take greater advantage of bokeh and separating planes of focus, which is harder with shorter focal lengths on a lens of this sort, but not impossible, especially at LONGER and LONGER focal lengths wide open.

My best to you Serge.  And this unit together is one of the nicest handling most well balanced units I've ever handled, and I've handled a lot, but never had quite such a perfect balance, so never placed so much stock in that before -- now I'm a believer.

;~)) 

(This may be helpful to our lens/camera evaluators).

Thanks for weighing in.  It's most appreciated.

john

John (Crosley)

I can almost sense that the painting on the wall has affected the passing man. He is reflecting on it, no doubt! Well seen!

I have no idea what this man is thinking.

From across the very wide avenue where I was, I had a much better view of the situation than  he, but who know how many times he's walked in front of this wall decoration.  It's new to me, but that means nothing, as I had not been in town for a year or so taking photos.

In fact, I have no idea of the 'purpose' of the decoration other than to fill a construction wall with 'something' rather than 'nothing', but the spacing and use  of darks and whites I found especially good -- among my best, with or without regard to the fabulously interesting wall graphic.

Without the guy in his EXACT placement, this photo never would have seen the backlight of your computer screen.

Thanks for a helpful comment; you are welcome at any time.

I wish I could take dozens of such photos, but still managed to get three or four good photos in a half hour and one did not incorporate the wall graphics, which were numerous and stunning.  Were they to be ads for some future movie, or perhaps works of an art class dealing with creating most interesting movie posters? 

Perhaps I'll never know.

I just take the photos.

And I hope they are sometimes interesting.

One may never know.

john

John (Crosley)

Perfect timing on the walking man just beyond the main part of the illustration.  Intriguing.  Very original.

It is the relative distribution of darks and lights which in part are represented by the exquisite (to me) placement of the passing man, that prompted me to post this.

I am against posting photos of others' 'art', just for the sake of posting, as its their 'art' and not mine, and unless I have something to add, and possibly to make it different and more interesting or original, then 'hands off' and no posting.

Thank you for your compliments on timing and originality.  Both were well thought out, even if only in a fraction of a second -- I think and work that fast under pressure, which sometimes amazes me, because sometimes that's when I produce my best work, and sometimes when I have a long time to study a situation, I can't do as well.

I work well, you might say, with spontaneity, and if a boxer, I might be what they call a 'counterpuncher' -- unable to work myself inside but once hit and 'inside', then most effective when the arms start flying, as I can move quickly and choose my shots rather effectively (by analogy of course, as I am not really a boxer and never was.)

I'm glad you enjoy this photo and thank you for the compliments.  It is, as lawyers say of certain legal theories (sui generis) meaning 'one of a kind' or 'just plain unique and new'.  ;~))  You never know what I'll come up with.  I don't that's for certain, even from one moment to the next.

john

John (Crosley)

Someone who may or may not know but saw this image said the graffiti or wall art is the work of famed British graffiti/wall artist Banksy.

Is it true or not, I don't know, but whatever it is, it's wonderful.

I have followed Banksy's work for some time, and it certainly is within his capability.  Collectors have paid over $1,000,000 for such art, even destroying walls on which he has suddenly placed his works (with his minions) often in the middle of the night, and then keeping the wall intact just to display the art, otherwise demolishing or damaging the structure.

My hat's off to Banksy; he's kind of my hero among artists.  Please see the movie 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' for a rough overview of the 'street art'/graffiti scene in Los Angeles as it relates to Banksy's work.  To memory, Banksy's  voice can be heard critiquing the work of the protagonist of the movie and in the process one learns a great deal about Banksy.

I'm proud to have this in my collection.  There are a couple more where his (if they are 'his') images form the basis for 'street' photos where passersby relate (or don't) to his wall art.

I'll inquire more.

john

John (Crosley)

This and other adjacent 'wall art' apparently by the renowned British artist Banksy has disappeared from where I took this photo on LA's La Brea, according to my last check.

What a loss, but apparently the 'wall' was a temporary 'wall', and I can speculate that it was so because in other cases where Banksy has used real walls to leave his 'street art' he has virtually 'given' his valuable art to the owners of the wall, the owners have in one case I know of demolished the building to take the wall and art and sell for I believe $1 million which is quite a windfall.

Here, the 'wall' appears to be plywood propped up temporarily and it appears to have been quickly removed -- one hopes by Banksy and his supporters to keep the cycle of the sudden appearance of great 'wall art' on city streets world wide continuing.

It is my hope; and if I am write about the origins of this art, I am proud to have memorialized it, and I hope well.

john

John (Crosley)

I have other photos from such art nearby, and apparently shot them just in time, which is a lesson to the 'street photographer' --- shoot now and don't anticipate 'going back' to 'do it better' or more thoroughly'.  Do it now and do it to the best of your ability for there often may be no tomorrow, even with something that appears to be a 'fixture' as this great art (to me) appeared to be when I saw and captured it in a very short time and related art (different) nearly adjacent down the sidewalk one day.  I was dumbstruck as seeing such art, and saddened to see it disappeared within one week after I saw it, but understood 'all for the best' (I hope)

jc

I talked with a street artist wearing a bandanna posting his works in downtown L.A.

'Where's Banksy', I asked him.

He said 'La Brea or Beverly Hills'.

I informed him this work on La Brea was gone.

He said, 'Oh, the car wash owner must have sold and torn down his plywood'.

Apparently these works were on plywood around a car wash, if one is to believe him.  If the car wash owner tries to sell this and other works and they are by Banksy, he's a millionaire, if past sales have shown the worth of Banksy's 'street art'.

So, it appears Banksy is or was recently in the LA area, doing his 'thing', after doing his thing in New York in November or December, one work a day, to much public acclaim.

(minus one day in which he was stopped)

This one disappeared shortly after I shot the photo, and I had wondered who owned the backdrop, Banksy or another, and what had become of it.

If I'd owned the plywood, Banksy came along and placed priceless art on it, I suppose I would have been tempted also to take it down and put it up for auction.

I keep this posted to share it with the world (with my little touch).

john

John (Crosley)

I don't want to mislead.

The scene where this was taken is fronted by buildings (and then was fronted by plywood.)

There never was a car wash there, despite the recollection of the street artist doing his thing, who told me about a 'car wash' and 'plywood' the previous day.  I found this on inspection.

He obviously was thinking of something else or was confused.

But had good intentions, I am sure, having met him and not detecting ill will but good will only.

john

John (Crosley)