FAR AWAY

good photo. I imagine these colours were seductive. Still I think it's calling out for a b&w conversion. Another suggestion might be a square crop of the girl alone especially given your title.

...but, im not a photoshop (or any other program fan). Its seems the black in the back is like half shadow and half done by you, if you are going to do that you should try to make it in a way people dont notice it... But it might just be resolution, I really dont know, its just the impresion I get...

 

I must say its my opinion and what seems to me, yet I am a very very novice amateur etc. etc. photographer so Im not the right person to say this!

 

Great shot by the way

Thanks. You are right, the colors seduced me. I did a quick desaturation and did not like what I saw at all. Granted, it could have been fixed up a bit, so maybe I was premature. Of course you are right about the title referring to the lady on the right. I took two shots of these two. In the first , the lady in yellow was looking the other way and the one on the right was pretty much like she was here. There was a bit of an exposure problem with the other, but maybe I should have tried harder to make it work. This one was a bit of a problem too in that I had to darken the subject on the left, and lighten the one on the right, without butchering the whole damn thing. I did at best a mediocre job. I was attracted to the interaction (or lack thereof) of the two in the first place, which is why I resisted cutting it up.

The primary-color appeal seems so essentially David Meyer. The tension and relationship to be found in their gazes, their distanced expressions, and the offsetting yellow and red seems to form the very basis of the photo. The linear quality of the bench, the order of the environment along with the kind of jumble between them tells your story here nicely. It is a study in the way people look. It seems very much about how you translate the world into a photograph.

You are certainly entitled to your thoughts about processing, and it boils down to whatever works for you. I started out in photography before digital was even a possibility. That translates to "I'm an old fart." I initially thought black and white silver gelatin was the only photographic medium that should be considered "art." When digital came along, I thought I would never adopt it. Well, the bottom line here is that one should never say never. Be open to other processes and styles. It will accrue to your benefit as the years accumulate. That's not to say passion about your own work and your own style should be discarded in favor of the latest fad. Simply be open. I wish I had followed that dictum so many years ago.

 

As far as this one goes, it has some serious problems that are a bit beyond my ability. The black background is not really in any way artificial. It is the bottom floor of an open air parking garage. I did not artificially change it, with the possible exception of a levels adjustment on the entire image to make it lighter. And maybe that has created the effect to which you object.

 

If I read your bio correctly you use a D40, which is a wonderful camera with lots of capability. Do not overrule all the possibilities such a fine camera brings into your creative hands. Take care. I look forward to seeing more of your images as you post them.

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm on the road (again) so I have to use a crappy laptop to do my PS work. The other image was intrinsically a better photo, but I did not want to deal with the rather tough problems it presented. I'll maybe revisit that image when I get home.

 

I think this is marvelous - for a lot of reasons.

 

The woman on the right is far away from that bench. But as significant for me is that the two women are so far away from each other, in age, style, interests. They are connected only by the bench. I find myself wondering if there are insights and experiences they could share and be of benefit to both of them. But I don't suspect it happened.

 

I wouldn't change a thing. This is so very good.

Thanks for your overly generous praise. Of course you are right, that we can all learn from others, although I'm not very receptive to certain Conservative elements hoping to rule the country come November. I just can't do it.

Only 3-4 bags are separating the two, but a huge culture gap is present on this bench....apart from the age, the colors and clothes style, body language, and even their seating position on the bench... The light is interesting too, very bright on the older woman,many shadows on the youner one, all is telling a story. You have a great observant eye Dave.

I don't think my eye is as good as yours, but I try to keep it open. Thanks for your thoughts.

Hi Dave,

 

I have to agree with Doug and Pnina in that the image and title are telling a great story.

 

I would't worry about b/w conversion, changing the background, etc.

Remember - this is a street snap. And as such, you have done a great job and this is a wonderful capture. Your choice of title is also very right - because the distance and contrasts - are what makes this picture what is is.

 

My compliments to a very good and telling street picture - wish I succeeded as well as you have with my many street snaps.. And sometimes (read often) a central part is in a good title.

 

All the best to you

 

Peter

fantastic shot! ciao Elena

Thank you for such kind comments. I took a look at a lot of your images, and you have many street takes that are every bit as good as this and better.

Thank you very much. ciao

David..I like this shot...especially when enlarged. It appears they are both looking at something in the same direction. I like the way both folks fill up the bench...one with her bags and the other with her bulk...body language seems to say that the older person would be happy to engage in conversation if given half the chance... Ciauo ...Marjorie

Thanks, amiga, always glad to hear from a fellow human observer. Take care.

So near, yet so far,David. The contrast of two persons in colours,age,moods are the main ingredients ,to attract our attention.This is tale-tell image of generation -gap.

Thanks. I like to think of it as a depiction of our alienation from one another. In this world there is too little concern for others in the community. Understand that I am not talking about these two individuals particularly. Just generally.

A great shot that has generated a lot of interesting perspectives and feedbacks. You have a sharp eye to spot this poignant and interesting scenes and you never fail to engage us. Obviously there are a lot of common elements here that connect these two individuals, but sadly some of us can only see the differences. Others are the like metal divider in the middle of the bench that separate them. Each woman has her own space clearly defined. I keep to mine and you keep to yours. As for your comment about the conservative elements that are about to take over in November and lead us to the path of salvation, I think you are too optmistic ;)

Thanks a lot. All I was trying to say is that we know it is good to set aside our prejudices and try to walk in the other guy's shoes. I meant that I simply could find nothing to redeeming value in the McCain/Palin crew. I'm not sure how that previous comment came out.

Sorry if I threw you off. I was being sarcastic and I agree with you.