Candid

Totally candid, in that he never knew I made the shot. I couldn't

help myself the timing was perfect. I think this image has interest

because it's so natural.

Wonderful. The feet, specially the toe makes this stand out. Very candid feel.

Ed is right about the feet, which are an incredible detail. But everything here is perfect -- the expression, the pose, the lighting, the scene. Bravo, Howard. It doesn't get better than this.

yep its about the feet and the intense look of concentration.

 

Excellent shot.

 

yes, great intimate view, one would never pose a picture like this.

Even with all your collection Howard, that is really special,I wonder if he knew that you are photographing him.... it looks as if he did not notice.... Pnina

Darn, that arm over his shoulder is distracting me. The brightness by the two chairs does not distract me - it balances the shot, imo. Otherwise, I love the picture. Very natural and unposed. Great control of a difficult lighting situation, too.

Yes, this is good. The toes tell a story about the article he's reading. Terrific candid shot. Pity about the glare, it makes the shot just a touch uncomfortable.

Warren

I like this candid, but I agree with Kim about the arm and bright pant leg above...could it be burned in a bit to make it less distracting?

Good suggestion.

Let me take a contrarian view, just for discussion's sake. Are the elbow and the bright jeans distracting? Well, I suppose, a bit. But to me, they complete the scene. The story here isn't merely that he is intently reading the newspaper, it's that he's doing so while surrounded by people, some of whom are sitting by the windows, others of whom are walking around. So I'm not sure I agree with the edit. The original also gives his figure a bit more breathing space on the left. Ok, I've just talked myself into preferring the original version!

Chris, I think I agree with your assessment. It's a candid "here is real life" kind if image. Thanks for the feedback.

I prefer the second version. In the first version, my eyes keep going to that partial arm. In the second version, my eyes stay on the man with the paper and wander around him and what he's doing - less unsettling and the reason you took the shot, imo. I think you could probably compromise and slightly tone down the arm, but still leave it visible. Different points of view make the world go round...

The second possibility is good as well, but I join Chris , I like it as is, the bright side is ballancing the dark one, and the lighted parts on him are blending nicely in the composition. It works for me.

I love this image, Howard. You have a wonderful eye that, I know, serves as inspiration for many of us who follow your work.

Thank you David, that comment is greatly appreciated.

I do prefer the darkened version, but like mentioned....different strokes.

 

The important thing is you GOT the image. The young man's pose is great. You can always post process if you need to.

Linda, thanks you are of course correct. Thanks for the return visit.

I guess I'm here late and you may have already revised the original posted image. Anyway, it's tough when shooting in high contrast, back-lit situation. You did captured it however. Howard, I'll bet you'll do well working as an investigative or celeb photog!

Excellent Howard, not just the overall image but the expression captured too. One can almost feel the emotional reaction to what he is reading. I share your passion for observing and photographing people. My pages are filled up with my chosen subject of presentation, but I do a lot of what you do too! Your photos of children are a true delight, but your other portraiture is one of the most striking studies of human character recorded on PN.

This is great, Howard.... the lighting is super, and his bare feet turned inwardly show the emotional tension of the subject..... Excellent job!!!!