MECHANIC

That's a pretty good portrait. A little bit unique framing, and it fits the overall subject well. The dude's big belly nicely balances the big tool box on the right. He also has a bright halo, though kinda straight (is he the patron saint of all mechanics?). As well, he has at least one fan. Do you go to his garage to get your truck fixed? Who was he talking to, or did he intentionally pose for you like this? Cheers, Micheal'

This guy is actually retired, and so is the garage. All the guys still just hang out here and tinker. I don't know if this guy even knew I photographed him. He was talking to me and gesticulating with his hand holding a cigarette. I had the camera just hanging from my neck on a strap, and I just causally snapped a couple. I cropped it to what it is because there was some ugliness on the left side, and I wanted as much of the tool box in the image as I could get. There were also a couple of fluorescent lights above that I cropped out.

I don't think you could have captured this environment any better. Really nice stuff.

Thanks. This one was kind of shaky with that strong backlight and no flash. I'm sure there are those who may not care for it much. I'm okay with that.

Whatever small imperfections there might be only add to its verisimilitude. This picture has real presemce and an unselfconscious sense of the mechanic at ease in his place.

David, i love this one. i like the tool box behind him. it feels like a projection of his self. i like the dark atmosphere and clutter as well. i can almost smell the oil and exhaust caked on the walls.

Thanks. "Verisimilitude." Now there's a word I must use.

Yeah, you've got the smells about right. Don't forget to add cigarette smoke and stale beer.

David, this is one fine environmental portrait and one you processed very well too. That moving hand just tops it off as it's clear that he like to tell a good story.

Thanks. I'm very appreciative, because you are quite accomplished when it comes to black and white. I know there are those who would not be happy with the fact that there is not much room in front of the guy, but it didn't bother me much. My only regret is that I think it might have been better if the cigarette in his hand had been more prevalent.

the fact that you put him to one side actually makes this work better. As far as the cigarette is concerned, I think it's obvious enough but in itself is not that important anyway. It's a strong enough image as it is.

I think this is a fine environmental portrait that says much about the man and his world in one split-second image. It's real, it's natural, and it's interesting. I think it's a shot the viewer has to live with a bit to absorb and fully appreciate. But it is time well spent.

 

Thanks a lot. It doesn't have that warm and fuzzy feeling that many of your wonderful portraits do, but it is strong on environment and documentariness.

Beautiful lighting and I find the composition interesting enough that the room that "should" be in front of him seems unnecessary here. The fan seems to be causing his hand to wave, I like that a lot. It's kind of a spontaneous moment and a bit of a visual connection that is special. There's a good story here.

Thanks. You are sure right that there is a good story here. Three brothers have this old garage. One of them earned a living in it for quite awhile, but finally threw in the towel. Now it's just their clubhouse. They tinker and play around smoke, drink and bullshit. A very interesting crew, indeed.