Bobby

Bobby grew up in my town, and is now in his seventies. He lives alone

in a little trailer, and makes his daily rounds to visit at the local

businesses. Recently he showed me a little bag of pennies people have

given him.

 

His arthritis is beginning to really bother him. The new shoes are

supposed to help. I hope they do. If he can't walk like he does now,

his life will change for the worse.

Thank you for posting this Doug. There should be another catefory of photography -- "Portraiture as Documentary". I'd give you the Pulitzer prize if it were up to me.

You know that I'm gratified by your comment. Thank you.

Doug, there is alot to be said about this photograph. So much speculation on my part that I just don't know where to start, and he reminds me of several old gentlemen I've known over the years, probably everyone has......Thanks for sharing this important photograph......Jim

Thank you. I think most of us have had someone like Bobby cross our paths and in some way become part of our lives.

This is good Doug, there's a metaphore here. Bobby's still in the light, but darkness is just around the corner. One way or another, we're all in that chair. I like the hat.

Yeah.

 

The cap is our local college. I assume someone gave it to him. I like it too.

That's a fine portrait my friend. Knowing you as I do, I doubt that you have done much in the way of post processing, but that light just looks superb and the colors are terrific. I know you wouldn't do this, and I'm okay with that, but I have to admit I'd have thought about getting rid of the trash can. Yeah, I know, I said that about the Carter gas station too. Can't help it.

As you well know, I am thankful that you share your honest thoughts, even though you are anti-trashcan.

 

I considered cropping it differently to minimize the trash can. But I liked both the empty chairs and the trash can. Alone and to be placed in the trash can in the dark and forgotten.

 

Not very uplifting and maybe not accurate. We all leave ripples.

I have to respectfully disagree with you Dave. To remove the trash container would upset the balance of the story. Also, I gotta tell you guys, the more I come back to this, the more I see. Simple as it may appear, the scene gets deeper & deeper. Sort of like seeing a movie for the 3rd time.

 

I should've mentioned it in my 1st comment, but as Dave pointed out, these colors appear to be perfect as if I were there. Looks like a nice day, like the sun may have felt good in the morning,

In the spirit of friendly disputation let me say that first off, I would not crop it any differently. What I was suggesting is physically removing the trash can or cloning it out. The blank wall would work fine, because it is in shadow and lends a great deal of meaning (or, perhaps, self-induced contemplation of the possible meanings to the image.) One can view it as coming from the shadows to the light, vice versa, or possibly caught amid the two forces.

 

Now, I would be the first to admit the trash can could be an important element in the image, but the problem I have with that, is that it seems to imply that the gentleman may be ready for the trash, is trash, or somehow linked to the trash can. Now for a smartass like me, that might seem appropriate, but I think Doug is one of the most respectful of people on Pnet, and no way would he make such an implication.

 

Having said that, I repeat that I do very much like this image, as my rating indicates, and I think one can see that I do not give out many sevens. It is a fabulous image, and the light, colors and the gentleman's simple pose make it so. It rates with the best. Mike, thanks for bringing me back for another look, and making me think a bit more about why this suceeds so well.

I fully understand your point, and it is one I considered.

 

I hope this prints okay. The last time I gave him a print of a picture of him, he showed it to just about everyone in town. Its sort of like a one picture traveling exhibition.

this is a superb human photo, one story aslike many others around our world of the forgotten people, lonely and poor people living with their dramas day by day...old people that finish their lifes alone, broke with the only money to medicines.

Coming from someone whose eye and heart I so much admire, your praise for this is truly valued. Thank you.

Great portrait, Doug. There's something ddeply touching in the man's attitude.

Thanks you much for viewing and commenting on this and the other pictures. I think you are right. He is like an innocent child in a way. He takes delight in the simple pleasures, and there isn't a mean thought in him.

Excellent picture and nice story. I'm with Mike here; I like how he's sitting on the dividing line between light and dark. I also like very much how the trashcan makes the dark more somber. The sunlit chairs for me represent the community he is still part of. Again, excellent in my pov.

Thanks Nick. I see him often around my little town. He seems to feel secure and content. I gave him a print of this, and he told me that his sister-in-law bought him a frame and he has it on his wall. He told me "It's a good picture". I'm glad he likes it.