Portrait of McDonald's Customer (Best View Large)

Please View This Portrait of a McDonald's Customer Pondering His

Purchases LARGE For Best Understanding!!!! Thanks. Your critiques

are welcome. John

hello John, the 2/2 might not be fair in hindsight, and no, i don't believe i did see the reflection of the guy as he contemplates which combo meal he is going to opt for. the 2/2 is more a reaction to the subject of the photo, waiting in line for less than desirable food while breathing in unavoidalbe noxious fumes, doesn't seem like the best subject for a photograph. the guy in the mirror is pretty cool and the expression on his face with his hand up to his mouth adds to the effect. really just not my taste, as far as originality, perhaps it should get a higher score, probably so, as far as the aesthetics go, a drive thru at any fast food restaurant is not high on my list of things that look good. hope that answers your question. i realize this of course is only my opinion as yours and others may differ. take care

Thanks For Your Forthrightness Christopher in Admitting you didn't see the whole photo when you rated. It takes a man. You take wonderful, beautiful photos, and sometimes I try also to do that. Anyone who has seen this photo as an 8 x 12 stops me to say "that's a way cool photo" but it suffers for the small web format for critique posting. There is a place for all kinds and sorts of photos on Photo.net not just the beautiful ones. And, it seems that you were reacting to your own feelings of odiousness at McDonald's rather than the photograph and how I was commenting on its marketing as I stopped for morning O.J. on my trip to Seattle (as other three critique posts). There is a place for every kind of photo on Photo.net I think, and while a person can play it safe and go for "ratings" and never take a chance, how does that advance photography AND social commentary? I have a 300 mm photo of just the man, same expression and same thumb to mouth and the order box which I may post which clearly shows his expression, AND it shows not only his mirror reflection, but his reflection of his reflection in the side of his truck! Reflections! And how would Henri Cartier-Bresson be rated on Photo.net if he were alive today? Would he like this photo?

thanks John. i wonder what meal the guy ended up getting.....we'll never know oh yeah, the fumes i was mentioning weren't so much the smell of the food, cause even though its fast, it does still taste good once in a while, it was more the exhaust of the cars as the line moves along.

anyway, take it easy.

Christopher, you're always welcome to my portfolio. I'm envious of and humbled by your abilities as I am so many of the wonderful photographers who have taken the time to rate my photographs. Thanks.

The problem with posting this photo is that the essence of this photo is in the rear-view mirror, which is very evident in a high-detail monitor on my laptop when the photo fills the screen or in an 8 x 12 blowup and it's pretty stunning. There's a bearded and mustachioed guy with his thumb over his beard, lips and mustache pondering his breakfast choices. It hits you if you can see it clearly, but here I am in a foreign country on a poor quality monitor, and I can see that many raters probably never saw the customer or saw the detail -- I can't presently. I continue to be troubled about posting photos that should be viewed "large" for rating and understanding. Museums blow such things up very large and devote a large portion of a wall or even an entire wall to such works, but Photo.Net is stuck with whatever monitor you have. Oh, well. Those are the breaks. Any suggestions? J

John, even before "viewing large" the reflection is the thing that drew my eye. I don't think it takes a genius of discernment to find the subject in this shot! You had a good angle to catch this - I know cuz now that I own a cheap Goodwill digital I keep it right next to me in the car and watch for likele shots all the time! I am interested to know what foreign country you are in and whether you will have cool photos to share when you come back!

Lee Park -- Watch this space for the answer to your question. I have a 70~300 @ 300 blowup of the guy in the mirror alone, but it stood for nothing alone, so I haven't posted it. It's pretty wonderful. When I find it again in my 10,000 photos, I may scan it, reduce it, and post it, minimized in this space. Thanks for the comment. J

And, oh yes, I do have cool photos, some a la John Peri or maybe more like Pettre Hegre in my only attemmpt at using models, and others capturing the grittiness and sweetness of street and other photography -- a very mixed bag. I'm kind of into posting my B&W II Portfolio right now, which is almost 30 photos, at 4 photos a week until my $25 gets credited and I'm officially a "member". J

What can be taking so long? I remember my paypal took several days as well - even after it cleared my bank... Looking forward to seeing more - although I did visit "Self-Portrait"... I would have commented on Street Supervisors but did not wish to be thought pedantic... ;)

You are always welcome in my portfolio (I sent a money order--returned in error during long absence. Issued June 22, 2004!)