Passage

This photo has been deleted and is uploaded again.Thanks for your comments and viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bulent Celasun [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 03:08 A.M.

Too many opposites in a frame!

Tension... hidden.

 

Alon Eshel [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 03:09 A.M.

Beautiful photo , Excellent DOF and very nicely composed

 

Mário Azevedo [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 04:53 A.M.

Pnina

This image is powerful. Great comp. BR, Mário

 

 

Rajat Poddar [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 08:22 A.M.

palpable tension, very good tones

 

Donna Stavis [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 11:37 A.M.

This is conducive to storytelling. She looms large and every detail of her is crystal-clear except for a face, or hands, or any sign of who is hidden inside those cloaks. So she becomes mysterious, something that arouses our imagination, as she heads into the end of the alleyway, led, perhaps by the light. Who will meet her when she turns the corner?... I love how you have blocked the face and identity of the man with the backpack with her head. She is more powerful than he. Even the name of the street is blurred out of our vision, disorienting all viewers unfamiliar with this spot. Most provacative of all is the man with the kippah, who averts his eyes from her (is it only because she is a woman?).

 

Bob Belanger [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 12:49 P.M.

I love the dark atmosphere to this. I don't know if it was meant that way but it's what I see. The tones are drak and the man walking towards the woman seems intent on walking by without acknowledging the woman to the right. As if to hurry past. The tones seem to support that feeling.

 

Piet Flour [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 01:57 P.M.

Indeed Pnina, it is a confusing image ... perhaps if all of us told the story behind it would always be different, ... But the important thing is : most of the openminded people looking at it will begin thinking, will search for ... this is fascinating to open so much minds with just one - good - photo. Congrats! Piet

 

Fabrizio R. [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 04:01 P.M.

Very beautiful and interesting image, well done Pnina!

 

Pnina Evental [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 04:48 P.M. (edit | delete)

I want to thank all of you, this time I will do it mostly collectively, as all of you are right in your assesment, but for me , I can write a whole article explaining this one, for me it signifies a lot , and it is a kind of a series.. So I will explain some points and leave each of you with your story as it was unfolding before your eyes..

 

It was taken in a part of old Jerusalem ,but the place and alley has a great meaning more than the name and location of the street( Donna) .I saw the story unfolding before my eyes. As I was ready with my camera ( we were 3 photographers) the woman was the closest to me , behind her were some man's figure a bit in the shade nearly a part of surrounding, the young man coming toward me was about the last. I focused on the head cover. The story is a complicated one.

 

 

Alon Mario, and Fabrizio thanks for your feedback

Bulent and Rajat ,tension is right too ...hidden , many opposites in the frame..Yes they are , Bulent

Bob, the tone is dark, and the young man is in a harry to pass . " without acknowledging the woman to the right. " your feelings are accurate

Donna, she don't has a face and hands but her form and head cover can have an identity...The chair is empty, who she will meet at the end of the alley is unknown.

The shadow of the man behind IS a distraction....but for me nearly a part of the shadowed/layered story.

 

Piet, it was a thought provoking situation, the word: "thought" is the main story here, and has many layers and directions ..

 

Thanks again to all of you, this situation/story /composition is still haunting me.

 

 

David Meyer [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 05:44 P.M.

Pnina

Aside from all the poignant stories that can be contrived and extracted, and the obvious body language, I just really enjoy the composition and the textures. They pass so close together but in other ways are such a wide distance apart. That white scarf, however sure does make it for me. Cheers to you my dear.

 

Tolo Duran [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 06:22 P.M.Magnifica toma y especial momento captado,con una excelente luz y b&w.Max.

Un cordial saludo -Tolo.

 

Rob Wilson [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 29, 2009; 08:48 P.M.

This is real street photography! Overall, the image is challenging and thought provoking. It is a shame that the guy with the backpack is in the frame, but these things happen, and it is still a very good picture. In fact, it's one of the better street shots I've seen on here for a while.

All the best,

Rob

 

Giuseppe Pasquali [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 30, 2009; 03:30 A.M.

It's all about

possibilities : the narrative side of this work plays with the "reader" suggesting more than telling. As far as the presentation is concerned it's tones and composition are classic and balanced. I find really interesting that white chair in the background. Compliments and ciao, Giuseppe

 

Vladimir Funtak [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 30, 2009; 06:18 A.M.

Pnina

Excellent street capture..Best regards, vf

 

 

JeffS L [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 30, 2009; 08:52 A.M.

What strikes me about this picture is that it speaks to the very human experience of having to daily pass parallel to individuals who are strikingly different than us. Do we embrace the difference? Do we ask questions? Do we engage in conversation or keep our mouths shut? Do we turn away and pretend that there are no differences? Do we turn away and insist that the differences are insurmountable? Perhaps there are specific cultural elements that are explored here. My personal response is broader. I think of walking through the streets of Boston, rubbing shoulders with those who are so very different than I. It makes me think of all the times I turn away because I'm rushed, disinterested, preoccupied, scared, temporarily mute or simply focusing on survival.

 

A.K. Sircar [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 30, 2009; 09:23 A.M.

Pnina, this image appears to me as a conflict of outlook & values. Composition,exposure,DOF & tone , enhance the drama of this very good street-shot.

 

Pnina Evental [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , September 30, 2009; 01:04 P.M. (edit | delete)

 

Dave dear, I collect all the impressions and thoughts it evokes in people looking at this photo, but each will have his own story here, your impression of the " feeling of distance 'is added to the previous collection. The white scarf is important to this story. Tolo, it is a special moment, the center of a long story, thanks

 

Robe, thanks for stopping by and commenting. "The image is challenging and thought provoking" , I add it to the story, as I wrote the word "thought' is important. Thanks as well for your last sentence.

 

Giuseppe, it is "suggesting"... for each his own understanding and unscramble the human significance

 

Vladimir, thanks.

 

Jeff, your commentary is wide and I think that in a big part it is connected to your profession which is dealing with peoples behaviors. I will add to the story your last words, "simply focusing on survival".

 

Amal, I will add your evaluation of conflict of "outlook and values."

 

Thanks again to all of you, I hope my answers will help each of you to complete this own story.

Jack McRitchie [subscriber] [Frequent poster] [Current POW Recipient] , October 01, 2009; 09:46 P.M.

 

To my mind, a perfectly composed picture. I'm not going to conjecture why this is so; there are many who can deconstruct this picture more accurately than I can. Suffice it to say that there is a simple rightness to the way the two passersby claim their space within the frame - one coming, one going. This picture is one of those wonderful happenstances that befalls the prepared photographer, a gift from God; the divine breaking bread with the mortal.

 

 

 

 

 

Gordon Bowbrick [subscriber] [Frequent poster] [Current POW Recipient] , October 02, 2009; 10:39 A.M.

Pnina

 

My response to this image is quite similar to that of Jeff. Two separate people obliged by the geography of the street to pass one another in their travels. The way your photo has caught them, the one figure looming so imposing and the other appearing uneasy and in a rush to be away from the scene speaks to me about , amongst other things, the tendency we have to shut out those around us because of percieved dichotomies - an inclination which is often reinforced by our cultural differences.

 

I have no idea of the specific personal significance of this photo to you Pnina however I can tell you that the photo itself stands strongly on its own merits as an intriguing, thought provoking and well handled photograph.

 

The crispness and deep contrast of the women in comparison to the relative flatness of the rest of the scene sets up a certain visual tension which plays well into the overall impression the scene creates. The rapid fall off of the dof really makes this image work for me. The soft focused chair in the background takes on a significance that it would not be possessed of, if it where to have been in sharp focus. In fact the entire scene seems to become less literal and more metaphorical as the focus falls away into the distance.

 

As for people deleting their own comments or not, I feel that this should be the choice of the individual. On the occasions where people have removed a comment from my work I figured that to be their prerogative. I have experienced occasions where a person has deleted an entire exchange as well as the photo itself in response to my comments on their photo and again I consider that to be their choice. To each their own.

 

Alberto Quintal [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , October 02, 2009; 10:43 A.M.

Pnina.

Excellent street shot, so beautiful tones, I love it.

Regards.

 

Alberto

 

Pnina Evental [subscriber] [Frequent poster] , October 02, 2009; 11:09 A.M. (edit | delete)

Gord and Alberto

 

Gord

 

We wrote simultaneously, and until I read and write an answer takes time , effort and using the dictionaries..... It is important to me that you find it thought provoking and well photographed, it has significance for me, living in this area of the world. You and Jeff maybe right and I maybe wrong, but as long as the photo makes the viewer think is for me the most important result

 

I appreciate much as well that you wrote in length what you felt and how the photographic value translates to you , you add your point of view to all the others that have referred in length to this photo and I'm very thankful to all of you !

 

Alberto, thank you as well for your feedback.

David Orea [Frequent poster] , October 02, 2009; 01:10 P.M.

 

Quite interesting capture, dear Pnina. The passage scene is unique. Excellent exposure, contrast and DOF. I like the foreground in perfect focus and the passage out of focus. Very good shot! Warm regards!

Thanks again to all of your interesting evaluation. I appreciate it very much.

Thanks

Como ya te comente,me parece una magnifica toma.Y aunque no es lo mismo que estar alli,el momento captado es estupendo y transmite de manera excelente el ambiente del lugar.En cuanto a la edicion,la luz,el enfoque selectivo y el b&w. son estupendos.Max.

 

Un cordial saludo -Tolo.

Simply great! Best regards, Linh Dinh

Pnina...

Your sensing of the moment, quickness, control of composition..

Grace under Pressure :)

 

Beautiful Shot

Thanks all of you for your nice feedback.

 

Janusz, welcome back

I like it!!!( twice)

 

Alberto

Thanks Alberto twice....;-))

A powerful and thought provoking picture. While it is true that the man with the kippah averts her and keeps walking, I wonder if the same applies to her. Is the woman also walking straight or does she give him a glance? The blurred background adds mystery to the composition. In some way this translate into an ambiguous destination. It also implies uncertainty perhaps making a reference to the future.

Thank for your thoughtful comment. It was in the old part of Jerusalem's alleys .What attracted my seeing the scene getting closer ( I was photographing with my 70-200 mm lens) and pushing the shutter ,was the strong difference of the woman going straight, destination unknown ( seeing her back,and ambiguity of BG as you have well expressed), and his passing her with a strong gesture of uncertainty and keeping aside (as I saw and felt this scene).It represented in some way the alienation of both sides, and as you wrote it, may be a reference for the future.? Uncertainty as well....

This is you at your best. Not only is this a fine image, but the comments you always seem to solicit have been fascinating to read......especially Jeff's, which I seem to identify with most. This image evokes an interesting response from me. I work downtown in my city, and I often have to walk late at night. I'm always on heightened alert, and there is always a bit of tension in these instances. It's the same type of tension I feel in this photo....created perhaps because of the narrow alley and their inability to achieve greater distance between them. The technical aspects of this photo are also first-rate. Nice work, Pnina!

Thanks for your detailed comment and your own feeling.

This Photo was uploaded as I wished it to be a thought provoking scene .

 

As a matter of fact it has 3 Participants...the woman ( back), the young religious man, and myself ,as human being living in this area and a photographer which is observing life, and living this reality every day, freezing some of the significant scenes.

 

I will add that it is one of the most significant photos for me that I have taken so far(added my two last Motherhood that are related as well....) and I'm very much involved in the scene in a personal way .I appreciate all comments written to me. Some, were really referring not only to the photographic components. but to the way it touched .them in the wider contexts , like Jeff, Gordon,Donna, some others., and now you

 

 

It has some deep layers for me ,as a human being, as a woman, as a secular person. As living in an area like Jerusalem

 

 

It is touching our fears ,our relation to the other and the different , our faiths, racism, let alone the political situations( that I will not talk about as it is still a photographic site). The question is, if there is any possibility of a connections between all of them, of more tolerance between all the contradictions. As Jeff said, and I agreed... is our aims are just our personal survuival,our indifference?

 

I'm still thinking of all this issues a lot. I'm sorry this photo needed to be deleted and uploaded again,but I'm glad you took the time to read it, Christal, and your personal point, that this one evoked.Thank you.

This is the color version

and this is a darker version with some changes....( after Ton's comment in S/D forum) I will change it with the original lighter frame.

Pnina ידידה חדשה this is exactly the kind of B & W documentary photograph that I like best / wish / have attempted to take. and it clearly documents H C-B's maxim about having to wait for the moment. כנראה מהקומנטריות ,הסיפור המסובח לא מיד או מאה אחוז ברור לכולם ,אבל אולי אני טועה

what interests me the most, in addition to the technical qualities that contribute to the visual text of this image, is how specific uses of cloth / clothing and "bodily discipline" tell the story of "passages." The academic essay that I am presently trying to finish writing is on precisely this theme, though it is about people from a certain part of India living now in the U.S. Congratulations, this is worthy of the very very best "street" work. Michael

Thanks for finding this photograph and commenting on it. It was taken down and re uploaded because....
  בעיה עם אחד המשתתפים
 
It has garnered a lot of comments  and attention and I was sorry then that I had to take it down.. as it is a very important photo in my  collection . I have uploaded it again with all comments that I could keep .I'm glad you have commented on  it, especially  the way you did. Interesting what you are doing about people from India living in the USA . Passage can have many meanings . Thanks Michael, nice to meet you here.

I really like this one. It makes me try to imagine what each figure is thinking. The mans expression and gestures leave me curious. I can see why it has attracted so many comments. Great!

I was looking through your portfolio and came to this photo which I commented on way back then - well, if "way back when" means 4 years ago. I couldn't help but be struck by both the number and depth of the comments it generated (and deservedly so). It really illustrates how far we've fallen as a photographic community since then. I'll bet more than half of those who left a comment are no longer active on the site.

Like both versions, color and b/w. Most important is the tensions in the photo. Coming and going, male/female and the dress.  Maybe I would want to see his eyes a little sharper, but you had to make a choice :)  and this certainly really works, emphasizing the closer subject seems right.