Volunteer Fireman

I went to this show where people who collect fire engines meet to

share their hobby with the public. Yes, fire engines! I spoke with

this man about why he collected fire engines. He smiled and looked

at me and said in a quiet voice, "It's a family thing."

howard, its funny how your work leaps off the page to me. i went to the critique forum and noticed this immediately. your tonal style is so distinctive and enjoyable. here, you take a tough looking guy and grace him with tones for the most part from medium to light, with great care to show only the metal at a high key -- it works for me, as the metal balances the portrait. his pose and expression are right on. i think the choice of focal length creates a really fine environmental portrait that is nicely supplemented by your short explanation. my only quibble is the piping just to the right of his head. perhaps some more blurring of it would dilute its distraction. i had to look for a moment to understand it was not a part of his own regalia.

 

having done a little of this, i marvel over how hard it is to get such a natural pose from a stranger. how do you do it? how many shots do you take? what did you do to get him comfortable with you taking his pic like this?

You are right about the pipe. I had to live with it though. I thought about the blurring idea but decided against it.

 

As for how I got the shot, I have my own style. I make conversation for a while getting the subject talking about themslves which makes them relaxed. Then I ask permission to photograph. Sometimes people say no. Most of the time they say okay. I think they realize I'm sincere and love taking pictures of people. In any event, that's my technique. Oh yes, I made two exposures of this man.

thanks howard, maybe someday i can go out and watch what you do. then i'll fly to florida and trudge into the shoreline water with meehan-elmer, then crawl along the ground among ruins in europe with colin carron. a boy can dream!

That's the point Howard. Taking pictures of people in a relaxed mood is only possible when you have rapport with them, and you certainly do.

 

There are millions of people who can take a sharp portrait but most of it are snapshots. No storyline. Howard, you belong to the exceptional few who can take a picture and also process it well. Your high key effect like this one is your trademark. Love it.

 

Check my new portrait images of Vietnam if you have the time.

Great expression! I, too, find that pipe distracting - my eyes go immediately to it. A tough call because cloning it takes away from the authenticity of the surroundings. Do you have any other angles??

Howard, that is a strong portrait in his place, where he likes to be, and with your technic of approachig people you do so well.His expression, the tonal range is so well done, I agree with the others about the distraction near his head, but respect your decision,even I think it can be cloned out. Pnina

Howard ,I liked to read the answer You gave.My shortcomming, I didn't see the pipe,first time I looked.But i do like that You are able to transmit to the viewer, the acquaintance You made with the fireman. You really make him be his own personality, and one of us.

I like this...great environmental portrait. Nice in B&W.

Another trademark work as mentioned above. The bright chrome doesn't bother me at all and contrasts well against the gruffy man for a balanced composition, IMO. Cropping a bit off top for less white space and top right clutter might work even better? I agree about your style and rapport with subjects. Well done.

Very nice relaxed pose, as though he knows you. Well executed with nice composition.

This is one of the great ones, Howard. Ben's comments are right on target. I'd only add that your attention to the subtle details, from the perspective of both art and craft is a powerful engagement with your viewers. The detail of the tire (bottom-center) is just killer.

Before I got to this one, I was checking out the scrolling pictures and thought how great it was that so many of your folks are happy. Even this tough guy has a grin on his face. I always feel a little better after looking at your people.

Pnina is right about the pipe, if you want to get rid of it, cloning would be pretty easy.

You capture the MOST INTERESTING characters! His expression, along with the bandana and hair are super. The pipe is unfourtunate, but it in no way ruins the image, I think for me it even adds interest!

Another first class shot. His expression really has attitude. Howard, I think the reason you're able to get these shots is because you really 'live' in their world.

Beautiful toning and the chrome looks great.

Warren

You really DO capture interesting characters! I love the bandana, the "dickies" shirt, the tatoo, and the texture in the metal. It's all great!!