HOW LONG?

A protest that looks as if it is never going to end.

not easy to unerstand...I viewed the large version and understood it's a protest in favor of disadvantaged and displaced...viewed large the different elements deploy more impact...I think for such an image which a mix of documentary and journalism it is essential to includ people in a nice way otherwise it's not easy to motivate the viewer...you know me I never pretend my opinion is right but I think the image would have more impact if you ask the lady for a portrait in front of the protest banner...protester always want publicity in one form or another and she would have given you this with pleasure...I know it's more easy to say than do, but I like to discuss frankly and appreciate you being one of the person with whom open discussion is possible in this site...this is becoming less and less the case I am afraid...a lot of nice people are not active anymore...

The minute I opened this I had the very same thoughts as Laurent about seeing the woman's face. There is a personal as well as public or societal story here. Now, granted, you've gotten wonderful composition from this perspective, even the fire hydrant plays its role. The tilt of the beach umbrella in the urban setting, the graphic row of streetlights backed by the geometrically-modern architecture behind them. You've even captured well the city silence (a rarity) behind her and a bit of the loneliness that protest can have (especially these days). But it all makes me want more of her.

Your point is well taken I did speak briefly with the protester. And, yes, I have no doubt that she would have let me take her image at this little shrine. And, without doubt, I should have pursued this in some different manner. This was by far the best image in the sense of all the non human elements. It shows the countdown of protest days, the paraphanalia she has assembled, the uncaring urban landscape and the sign explaining the protest. It would not have been as interesting if I had shot to her face from in front of the table. Or at least not as explanatory with the other elements telling the story. So, I guess ideally I should have found a way to get her into the image as taken and given her much more prominence. It could have been done, and should have been done.

 

I want to thank both of you for being good critics, and I am pleased that you do feel free to tell me when things are not as good as they can be. Honest criticism from people with proven ability is what makes this whole thing worthwhile.

i am not troubled by seeing the back of the woman. to me that makes this the protest of any black woman, not just this particular woman. i do think a tighter crop might give this more impact

Thanks. I presume you mean take some off the bottom, because I don't see a whole lot to pull our in the rest of the image. I think you are right if that is what you meant.

yes, some off the bottom and even the right, keeping the same proportions you already have

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I like what you have done with the bottom but I'd be less than honest if I didn't say I don't think I would cut the umbrella and table. I don't feel it is necessary to keep the same aspect ratio. Peace

Keep the umbrella and the table. Go back to the scene, and aim the camera a bit higher (little less foreground, little more sky). Don't listen to the people who want a portrait; that isn't what this shot is about.

Thanks for your input. While she is almost certainly still there, since it is 1,500 miles away, I do not plan on going back anytime soon for a reshoot. Given the various opinions it might be fun to go back and work around this scene and see what I could come up with.

By no means would I pretend telling David what he should do and how...he's a nice photographer and I respect his work...I think this photo is nice and could well complement a reportage/serie on this protest...but what I say is that to my opinion it does'nt have enough impact to be a stand alone strong image to present this protest in one image (I am talking about the specific issue of documentary/journalism type of image because I think this image is about that)...of course I fully admit that I might be wrong...

Not to worry. Whether I agree with you or not, I'm exceedingly grateful to have you looking at and commenting upon my photos. Please continue to speak your mind without hesitation. I've known Barry on Pnet for a long time. He's a great photographer too and a fine, though infrequent critic. Although I should not deign to speak for him, I know he is a big fan of critical interaction, and welcomes differing points of view. I also know he doesn't hold back too much in his comments, which is great. You are both great help to me in "seeing" things with a different set of eyes.

Laurent: your criticism was excellent, and allowed me to see the image in a way as to make my counter-criticism. I think a debate often sharpens things (sorry for the pun) for everyone involved. So, for everyone concerned, keep those thoughts coming. Not all P-Netters are here just for the praise (even if it seems that way at times).

 

David: thanks for the kind words. And what's this whining about the re-shoot being 1500 miles away? Thought you were serious about this stuff . . .

Good comment. As for the 1,500 miles, let me recover a bit from the last trip. That one was a 3,000 mile trip that I turned into 7,700 miles.