Smiles (Bet You Can't Not, Yourself)

Smile! This woman did, and so did the mannequin behind her. Your

ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. Tell me what

you think. I'm working on a presentation and maybe a book

called "Photographers: Watch Your Background" devoted to help photos

be more than one-dimensional entities. (See many photos in my

portfolio and folders for examples) (If you rate harshly or very

negatively, please submit a helpful and constructive comment/Please

honor me by sharing your superior photographic knowledge to help

advance my photography.) Thanks! Enjoy! John

She has a bra in hand, and the mannequin also got one. There is a reticule standing at right and a whole stock of them on the shelves.

Excellent and prompt capture John. I'm usually too slow to catch moments like this, and when I recognize a missed opportunity the whole day is ruined :/

But the person who desiged that mannequin should be shot or at least detained at Guantanamo.

I had a wonderful smile when I looked at the ratings and saw the amazing confusion at them after nine (9) ratings with ratings going from 2 through 7 and only two ratings alike and running the whole gamut.

 

Personally, I like this one a whole lot -- I challenge anyone to show me another shot like this one -- and thus prove to me why this one is not very original and should not score high on the originality scale, whether or not you feel good about this photo.

 

And the Thai people who saw this photo on my digital screen universally had a big belly laugh over it and pronounced me 'Big No. 1 Photographer' as they told all their friends to come see the wonderful photo.

 

Frankly, that's better feedback for me in a tangible form than a raftful of ratings on Photo.net, however sophisticated the raters are -- the Thai people know how to laugh and have a good belly laugh, and somehow the people at Photo.net are a little lacking (some of them) in the humor department (I hope I am not).

 

John ;-0

 

 

Well, think I've seen such ironic superpositions before; they are fairly common e.g. in HCB works:

http://www.magnumphotos.com/LowRes2/TR3/F/P/3/H/PAR43608.jpg

That doesn't makes your work any worse though, as this photo has its own value.

I too found that PN critique makes a poor place to publish street photography. I favor my subway and documentary shots more than my landscapes, but the general public prefers the saturated colors of the latter. On the other hand, PN street photography forum is entirely different matter with many passionate critics.

I know the photograph very well; it's published in a book 'The World of Henri Cartier-Bresson', that I've carried around to every dwelling I've lived in since 1969, which is quite a few.

 

I treasure that book -- it's the ONLY book I have kept continuous ownership and possession of -- it's sort of my personal treasure -- no one is allowed to take it out of my house, and if they thumb through it, it's always with me watching over them so I can watch their faces for their expressions -- usually of wonderment. (heh heh heh -- oh how I enjoy turning people on to Henri Cartier-Bresson if they're ready for such an experience.)

 

And I was completely unaware of the 'street photographer's forum', which I suppose -- now I'm aware of it -- I should participate, if I am a 'street photographer', but I'd much rather participate in taking the photographs than discuss whether one has to palm a Leica with a dedicated wrist strap holding it in place to be a true 'street photographer or maybe a Contax, than just any old camera as I use, -- to be a true 'street photographer' say, like Weegee, with his Speed Graphic and flash bulbs ;-))

 

Bet you didn't think of him as a 'street photographer, did you???

 

John

Actually, Leica photography forum is separated from the street photography forum for the exact reason you mentioned :)

You have participated there already though, when you gave me the hints on shooting protests.

I didn't know that your protest shooting request came from the Leica forum which I never frequent -- perhaps I should. I do remember that I gave you my very best advice, and I think it served you very well . . . . as it served me very well in times past . . . and recently served me in a non-protest setting when dealing witn police and police lines (as I casually slipped through them, equipment in hand, and they just 'assumed' I had a press pass, never questioning me as I stepped over and under 'police' tape unchallenged and unquestioned just as they herded others back, as I have a certain authority about me, especially loaded with cameras and equipment and focusing intently or looking as though I'm going to focus. It's that 'looking as though you belong' look that keeps people from challenging you -- people everywhere just assume I'm a professional, even though I really am not.

 

John

is what it's called, John C! You would enjoy the Street Forum, frequently filled with lively debate over some situation or another...This picture truly does make me smile (although not as much as visualization of the camps at Guatanomo filled with grinning mannequins). Your lady does a great job of mimicking the mannequin's look, and her black top echoes the mannequin's brassiere lining. Happy shooting!

I have another one, in a similar vein ready to post and whether I post it today or tomorrow (or even another day) it's also worthy I think, and in the H C-B vein that Eugene Z. above notes, but mine are not watermarked with the 'Magnum' agency name -- they're 100% original 'Crosley'.

 

Thanks for the comment 'Lee Park'.

 

I've got something for you and will be in touch soon.

 

John (Crosley)

je te connais bien, j'espere! You were no doubt in a rush to leave the country! ;) - I WILL expect a Valentine, however! Excuse me, I've been thinking of "three's" - heading over to another of yours....

I found it and it's almost the same dummy-real nice coincidense and lovely shot.Regards,Judy

i can remeber these dummies very well

like it :-)