'The Sleeper'

This man is 'The Sleeper' or at least he appeared to be so, but a moment after his

photo was taken, he lifted his head (the photo shutter release was silent), then he

lifted his upper body, and, obviously rested, just walked away, apparently unaware of

having just been photographed. Two seconds later, and this photo could not have

been taken. 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

It is odd to have to say an image of apparent human destitution is beautifully composed and presented.  But this is excellent, John.

Thank you for the comment.

I was so proud of this and so was a friend who chose this among the day's captures as among my best, after rejecting it in color with an ugh and a shudder then saying ecstatic things about it once I desaturated it on the camera's viewfinder.

Fact is, however, this man is NOT destitute, he's just waiting for a train that leaves several hours later on a plaza that was not very recently pretty sunny and had just changed to shade.

So, within two seconds after taking this, his head arose, his upper body followed, he gathered his feet under him and just walked away, and my shutter sounds were next to silent not having given me away.

Still I understand your critique and very much appreciate it.  Many people say 'don't shoot photos of 'bums', but I often do and the result often is photos that one can be very proud of, whether or not they're 'bum's or just lazing away -- alcohol on breath, drugs in veins, hunrgry or just having a snooze when very tired.  It's all the same for me  -- some make wonderful photo subjects -- others I just pass by.

Yours however, is a wonderfully thought out critique, and I treasure it for that.

john

John (Crosley)

Just an add-on.

This is a photo about lines (his diagonal and the lines of the stonework) and light and shadow - e.g., tonalities.

When reduced to that, it's just another photo, I think, and for that, you have seen through to its essence.

Thanks for sharing your insight.

john

John (Crosley)