The Sideways Glance

Men almost always notice an attractive woman when she is nearby, no

matter whether they're straight or gay. Here the figure, foreground,

appears to notice the woman to 'his' right. Your ratings and

critiques are invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly or very

critically, please submit a helpful and constructive comment; please

share your superior photographic knowledge to help improve my

photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

Bit of a freakiness here (something along the lines of those horror movies where the clown, or the toy doll starts following the occupants of the house with its eyes just before it whips out a cleaver and goes to town on its owners). Anyway, perfect DOF and composition (good work with the lighting too). Not too sure about the gay or straight buisness though... Poor guy may just be a good dresser (though the hair seems to be a bit of a giveaway:-)

This guy is an original Coke salesman in Coca-Cola uniform, which shows more purple here than it really is. It was rescued, never used, by a former trial lawyer of some fame who went into the collectibles business, and this 'guy' greets visitors to his store at Farmers Market in Los Angeles.

 

He dates from the 'teens or twenties of the 1900s.

 

And yes, he is 'freakish'; the 'relationship between the two of them is a 'setup' created by juxtaposition.

 

I couldn't resist.

 

I am glad you enjoyed it.

 

John (Crosley)

Don't know exactly why, but the playfulness of the idea just really kinda got me going today. Any chance you might work out a whole series of these? I think you could seriously blow away all photo.net records if you could set one of these up with a Bob's Big-Boy... maybe travel around the country putting him in odd contexts (like in the movie Amelie with the garden gnome) at bikini beaches and in courtrooms and late night cowboy bars... (I think I'd better have another coffee, I'm starting to get delirous)

I saw 'Amelie' and understand the idea. I showed the owner of the shop this tonight and he seemed pleased; he says he was a catastrophic injury trial lawyer until he retired some time ago and is very happy dealing in memorabilia, such as this guy.

 

I'm just a little playful; I've got a very puckish sense of humor, but one has to reach deep to tap into it; or, for certain people, it's readily evident and almost on the surface.

 

But I'm no comedian -- I don't search for laughs -- some people will 'get' me and others will think I'm completely humorless (they just don't have the ability to 'see' or 'tap into' that humor).

 

If you look through my images, you may find other images that are a little humorous -- see the ole lady with walker at the McDonald's Drive-Thru, or the Guy (and child) being chased by a school of salmon (salmon do travel with other salmon -- but whether or not they actually 'school' is another issue -- which I won't really tackle. Maybe they just have salmon conventions where a few loose females will take on half an ocean full of aggressive, alcoholic males. . . . )

 

By the way, notice that the Coke guy is clad in red and the woman also (wine color in this version because of 'white balance' issues which otherwise were not a problem and I think enhance this photo.)

 

I want to take 'tattoo guy' from Buenos Aires around the world, taking off his shirt in downtowns globally. (see the folder on 'Tattoo Guy')

 

John (Crosley)

You are right about women being noticed by either straight or gay guys. Men are visual creatures, let's face it. A straight guy looks at a woman and questions whether she is attractive enough to pursue or not. A gay guy, on the other hand, questions whether she should be arrested by the fashion police or not. The mannequin represents the shallow way in which most men look at women, at least at first glance. The focus here is on his perspective. Wonderful work as usual John.

I actually think in such terms, but work on the basis of split-second timing.

 

This woman was in this position only for a second or so, and only had such a 'receptive' look on her face for less than that.

 

And I had to 'stop down' to get an acceptable silhouette/photo of her face, all 'on the fly'.

 

I make a decision in a split second to take a photo, maneuver myself to take it, then fire away as the subjects move until either I get a wonderful juxtapositiono previously not visualized or I get something near what I previsualized.

 

But it's all something the 'develops' as I circle my subjects, sometiems firing away.

 

I'm developing good instincts . . . and wish to share how those developed as payback for all the wonderful criticism and rates from valuable members.

 

That's why I write so much; it's not so much a question of 'ego' as it is 'sharing' 'stuff' and new members very often thank me for explaining to them -- e.g. the welcome and/or unwelcome response that a 'street' shooter often receives, how to compose, frame, adjust camera and shoot, all 'on the fly'.

 

I'm indebted to my wonderful commenters (commentators) who have taken the time to try to point out the faults as well as the good points of my photos -- including yourself.

 

Many of those comments get distilled into the briefer comments about each of my photos that end up getting posted in my presentation: 'Photographers: Watch Your Background' (or words to that effect).

 

This is another photo the rates of which have surprised me.

 

Thanks very much for commenting; many members complain about not having good or enough comments and that they are not helpful, but I have no such complaint.

 

John (Crosley)

Beautiful work, John!

When I post a photo, often one that relies on one color scheme in particular, i often hope and almost expect you will drop by.

 

Thanks.

 

John (Crosley)

 

Have to think about it (or sleep on it, if you prefer)

 

Cheers,

 

Luca

It's just a trifle -- my trifle of the moment when stuck without world-class photos to take, I'll take a trifle.

 

It's fun.

 

Sleep well, and don't worry about hurting my feelings.

 

John (Crosley)