Crucified

I took this shot behind an eccentric run down motel. Across the

alley are beer bottle gardens and about 50 stuffed animals nailed to

trees. When I arrived there was a homeless man in a wheel chair

there and as soon as he saw my camera he retreated to the alley by

the dumpster (he and the dumpster are blurred in the background). I

can only assume he thought I was there to shoot him. But he was a

curious guy and kept moving closer and closer (after this shot) and

seemed to want me to take his picture. I tried talking to him but he

is likely deaf as he never responded. He just smiled. He ended up in

the background of several shots here but I decided not to make him

the focal point in any of them. Plus he seem attracted to the harsh

light! Okay for those of you who don't give a flying flip about the

emotional aspects of photography, here are the technical details.

The background sky was harshly lit and gray. The sun was reflecting

of the gravel. The bear was shaded. I knew this would be a tough

shot, but I knew I wanted to make this one black and white and

create some kind of harsh disharmony. The focal point was the bear

and the background is intentionally blurred. Those of you who only

like aesthetically "pretty" shots probably should pass this one by.

I had to clone out the foot of another bear in PS and I also dodged

the bear and used unsharpen mask. My intention was to create a

classic feel to the photo. I have no idea how it will be recieved.

Comments welcomed!

Proof that Teddy Bears are Evil! Very well done, great angle and contrast.

I'm happy someone understood what I was trying to do here! It's not suppose to be a "pretty" shot. Not sure why all those who only like calming, colorful landscapes even bothered to rate this. Thanks for your input!

Its an intensely disturbing shot, but I like it a lot. The harsh contrast, particularly with the background, really enhances the edgy quality of this image. I'm definitely liking what I see here and I hope you'll be posting more. I'd be curious if you have some shots involving the guy in the wheelchair. Nice work.

Hi Andy,

 

Thanks for your comments. I just bought a new camera last week and of all the shots I've taken this one is the one I'm partial to despite breaking so many photographic rules. I'm sure it's also because I had an emotional investment here. I can go back here anytime in better light and perhaps take a more technically pleasing shot but it may lose it's emotional impact, at least with me.

 

As for the man in the wheelchair? Yes I did get him in more pictures but the intense sunlight reflecting from his face makes them rather harsh as well. I'm working on a documentary presentation of one particular street that is the main artery of my town and I may include more there. This is definitely one avenue I hope to explore in the future.

 

Thanks again for your comments!

 

 

provocative with good composition and tones. yes this one is really cool.

I love the angle especially because of the telephone pole. The textures, tones and depth of field are all well-chosen.

a Friend ... A friend by Frederic P.