MAN ON BENCH

The observer being observed.

What I think is great about this photo is that, even though we can't quite see the man's eyes, it is clear that he is looking right at us. That's kind of powerful, for me. I also think the composition is great, especially the reflection in the window but most importantly that bare, thin tree trunk. Only thing I think might help would be if the man's face was getting some of the beautfiul light you've captured and the hobby horse behind him was getting a bit less. Great colors and feel.

Thanks. Apparently your fellow Pnetters did not share such affection for this image (ratings and lack of commentary). The fact that you are favoablbly disposed toward the image and being such a skilled portraitist does make me feel a little better. I would have preferred that the orange barricade not be there too, but it was just a grab shot and I did not have his permission to photograph. I find the skinny little tree trunk a nice addition. Cheers

David, a lot of PNetters are predisposed not to appreciate subtlety, which most good and interesting photos have, so I wouldn't take it too much to heart. A lot of ratings here are based on the WOW factor, which a photo doesn't necessarily have to have to be compelling. I think your instincts saw something expressive here and it's great that you went with them.

Now it's my turn to be intrigued with the story. He looks affluent, unmarried, a bit of a non-conformist. And he spends time in the sun, perhaps sailing.

Maybe he's a dot-com exec who sold his stock and retired.

And then maybe I'm as wrong as wrong can be. In any event, its an interesting shot.

I'm curious as to his reaction to your taking his picture. Any conversation about it?

Fred, thanks again for your comments and encouragement.

Doug, I took the shot from about 50 feet away, standing behind a vehicle. I felt like he kind of saw me just as I took it, and his expression changed to a more menacing type of look. Could just be my imagination. I had been watching him for quite sometime before I took the image. Obviously I should have just gone up to him and asked if I could take his photo. I'm not good at that. If I had done that and he agreed, I could have had a better image. If he said no, then I could have just moseyed on down the road. I thought his hat and his beard were pretty cool.

A very nice portrait David...I like how colors are somehow ordered (dark ones below, lighter above)...it create some pleasant harmony that suits the main character very well

 

Interestingly David, like you I often feel I could take better photos by talking more (or sometimes talk at all) to people...I'll try harder next time...

Sometimes it is better to shoot first and talk later. People start to pose if they know they're being photographed. And that's not normally good. I like this as it is.

Doug, you are right that if you get permission, the pose will likely not be a very candid one, although some people are so affable that they put anyone at ease. Unfortunately, I am not so skilled.

 

Laurent, thanks for the thoughts. You have such an orderly engineering mind, that to view that color scheme. It never occurred to me.

Kudos for stepping out of your box....I know how hard it is for you to photograph people....(and puppies too ;)...Seems that maybe... what your saying here is how much you miss me....

 

The square format works for me...the barricade does not bother me at all...since you cropped it already,you must have tried a closer crop to exclude it?

 

A trick I learned from Nevada Wier who travels all over the world to places where I could not even spell the languages they speak...she asks permission with only a smile and points to her camera...Take a few shots with them poseing....then turn away...then turn back a minute or two later and they will have been made comfortable by the artist who has asked permission and respected their privacy...people feel more comfortable with photographers when they are not hiding behind things.... we hide enough behind the lens...although I think this is a good candid...it would have been fun to blast a whole roll on this guy...

I know you can smile....? wfvmm

Can't argue with what you say, and that sounds like an interesting technique that I might try. Doing it that way makes refusal less personal. Is your beard that white yet. Jeez, you are old enough for gray hair.