"The 'Eyes' Have It"

The caption is self-explanatory for this 'street' capture taken recently in

Reno, Nevada. Your critiques and comments 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

impressive timing and very good composition. The soft, uniform light and the clean work on dof give this work a special mood. What I like most is the blurred - straight in the camera - glance. Thank you, G.

I had tens of thousands of cameras and lenses boosted from my car May 4, so that explains my recent absence here; I was left literally with some old cameras around my neck (I was shooting a boatyard where corrosives were in use and didn't want to risk newer cameras around them) and as usual (then at least, no longer) using the trunk of my car as a warehouse which off and on had done for a long time, while I had intended to shoot birds at nearby Elkhorn Slough with my long and super long lenses (shooting birds is a passion of mine -- and there it's different -- shoot and delete, shoot and delete, shoot and delete, and only save the almost perfect ones, the complete opposite of my 'street shooting' where almost everything is saved. Worse, thieves got four huge hard drives with captures that weren't backed up elsewhere like most of the rest of my stuff.

 

So, this is my debut with new D300 cameras (two) that I picked up the other day and some new lenses, and I just can't say how wonderful they are (I had a posting on another service two weeks prior, to great success (Photocritiq.com) and that was with a D200, which was older but quite serviceable, one that was around my neck when my car was being boosted. Usually when I visit that boatyard I bring my car into the boatyard but the gates were shut that Sunday and I thought my car as locked out, but no one appeared around -- boy was I mistaken (I am pretty well known with my cameras in those parts as I have been seen with expensive cameras photographing there for four years and had announced on PN my impending presence in the area).

 

Oh, and the cops, called on a number the cops supplied, refused to take a police report and the next day MAILED me a police report to fill in at my leisure -- 'for the record' only. I was spitting mad -- they weren't going to investigate -- a predetermined policy, since I had not 'seen' the heist take place. No fingerprint taking, no examination of the vehicle, nothing. And one employer in the boatyard, an architect, was complaining his worker was 'goofing off' because of a drug problem and the worker left for a prolonged period because of his 'drug problem' and no one to tell that to at the cops because they wouldn't investigate.

 

Well, anyway, I'm calmed down now, and have now found out my insurance DOES provide coverage that is larger than the $5,000 my agent had told me, which indeed did calm me down greatly, since I had been told when I bought the policy I was limited to $5,000 for cameras, and figured I was outta luck essentially.

 

Eventually, I'll get around to replacing everything and doing all the paperwork, but it may be a long time; things being what they are with insurance companies.

 

In any case, I appreciate your take on this photo, Giuseppe; it is a crop. I did this crop in-camera on the scene or just later in my motel room, and could have cropped a little looser and might still if I were to try to exhibit, but I am not sure it's up to my standard. Still, I like it enough to show. I'm still not convinced I'm going to do professioanal work or do galleries, but I have 'gallery standard' in mind nevertheless just in case -- what the hey . . . . you never know. And no use confusing people with less than the best. And I don't confuse myself that this is the 'best'.

 

I know my 'best' and this ain't it.

 

Still, it's interesting; the interesting depth of field issue was possible because this was taken near dark, after sunset near the year's longest day in the high mountain air with afterglow.

 

There are more to come and one other posted from Saturday (also not nearly my best, but you gotta start somewhere) and I have a computer that has a USB 1.0 port, so it takes forever to download jpegs and NEFS from a d300 and I shoot a lot so it takes hours and hours to download 2 or 3 chips, even if not full.

 

Giuseppe, I've missed colloquy with you and my other friends. Good to hear from you.

 

John (Crosley)

 

 

I noticed your absence for a couple of days and was about to write you when I saw your postings today. Sorry to hear about your incident. One can not be too careful these days. Don't let it consume you John. They might have gotten your equipment but you got your talent. I'm glad to see you back here.

 

Interesting perspective on your composition. It hints at the way that models parade on the runway judging by their position and what seems to be a line forming in the back. I wouldn't be surprised if they think as such either, after all doesn't youth encourage the development of self image and narcissistic inclinations? The look of defiance on the first guy turning to the right fit the "attitude" as well. The guy with the crocodile eyewear adds a whimsical touch and even though we cannot see his eyes the look of surprise is a given by the partial opening of his mouth. Maybe he is letting out a "what the .....?

I've not been 'consumed' only 'shut down' though not absolutely camera-less, just without my best equipment and more than a little blue since my loss.

 

And I did take one really good photo the other week when I did venture out with the same equipment that was around my neck when my car was getting rifled. And of course I had other equipment, but not the equipment I 'use' generally.

 

You are right about the narcissism of youth. I approached one group of girls in this park where a rock band was playing rather subdued and there were actually few people. I scanned the crowd and a girl asked in an angry tone' 'Are you a Photographer? And I asked back 'Are you really slow or dense?' I have three cameras around my neck (2 Nikon D300s and a D200) and you are asking if I take photos. Then after I scanned the group, she accused me of 'taking her photo and I said that i thought she had a super large head/ego, since I hadn't paused when I scanned passed her, and that it was her large ego which presumed she was even worthy of being photographed ( hadn't photographed her). She is typical of some narcissistic youths who just want to ask about cameras but are too stupid to ask a straightforward question as many have figured out how to do, and somehow frame the question in an accusatory and/or narcissistic way. (Her friends laughed at her, which was deserved - and she left with her friends soon after). (It takes an old man to put down a popular girl like that -- 'Mean Girls' fans can cheer for this old guy, I think.

 

But mostly I get along rather well with the youths, especially after just one sees my captures and pronounces them to his friends 'sick' or other words of contrary praise.

 

Question: does the guy with crocodile glasses cry crocodile tears?

 

Just wondering -- inquiring minds want to know. . . . . as the 'National Enquirer; keeps asking.

 

Thanks for your comment; right on as always; I wish I had your insight and descriptive skills when I was your age (or even now ;~))

 

John (Crosley)