ward

really beautiful shot, man. I bet it's georgeous as a real print in person.

 

You have three great shots up on the board. I'd love to see more.

Hello Jon!

 

I appreciate your kind comment. I have liked some of the images that have come out here but the lack of commentary is a reflection of my difficulty establishing a connection with the place. Though DC was a big, dirty city, the neighborhoods had very clear boundaries and identities; over time, there was a very clear population with which I could develop a very deep connection. Ann Arbor is small, clean, safe and normal. I've been feeling rather dispondent about the whole thing, actually. So I don't know where I'm going. I'm thinking about doing Detroit. Or I thought of adopting some small, abandoned farm town and hanging out there until images would start to materialize. Any thoughts?

wonderful, subtle, evocative picture. reminds me of Cabaret.

I agree with Tom. Less (effects) would increase the power.

Actually, Andy, I like the original crop; I'd even crop the sides to make it sqare! (but that reflects my medium-format eye.)

Is he intentionally off center? It may serve to accent the tension of his twisting torso, but my eye wants him centered. I think it's lovely though. Very subtle, subdued, beautiful color and light. Humble and gentle. I really like it.

This is one of three that I printed large, mounted and framed and hung in my living room. I'll let you guess the other two.

It's true, Jonathan. The issues are not about the photograph but about the character, which means that the photograph does not get in the way of seeing the character. That really is my goal, for people not to notice any technique but simply to see through a window.

I really appreciate your reactions to this photo. Jody is certainly not an easy fellow to sit beside, or even to share a park with; he is loud, can be very abrasive and aggressive, but... he's there. Of course, he can also be very funny, generous, and damn kind. He has had a very major role in introducing me to the other regulars in the park and has made it known that I am off-limits for the thieves and hustlers and that I am not a police officer. This shot is a few years old now. His health is falling apart. He's in a VA wheelchair now, all his weight is gone, and it's winter in DC now.

yeah, me too. it's tough to keep the shadow area behind the hand (eyes) from going too dark while keeping the rest of the face from being washed-out white. Like all scans of all fiber paper, I am sure it is much better in the hand than on the screen!

penis just doesn't sell as well as breast I guess. I like the angles and lines but its a little lost in shadow. he doesn't look very comfortable.

To answer your comments, the Bronica is a 6x6, not 6x7. I scan the prints, not the negs. You are right, it is an imposing camera to put up in someone's face, but I carry some prints with me so they can see why I choose that monster.

maybe crop out the left side a little, pulling his face from the center of the frame and losing the extra feet.

her arm is distracting to me.

old money

Man! had a bad day?

 

I like the photo and the lith process fits it well. Thankfully, as I get old, though everything inside and around me droops, anger has lost its romance. I'll be interested in hearing how you read this photo in about thirty years.

needs the eye to be focused

beautiful, very subtle work in a dying medium. I really love polaroid!

the hands behind her (to the left in the frame) distract me. In shooting, I might have dropped down lower, putting her face up closer to level with the background image... But it looks like you only had a moment to fire off a shot.

the yellow over and behind his head distracts me.

beautiful

I might have increased the backlight just a tad to give a touch of outline through his torso. But maybe not too.

could get a better print, perhaps. I lose the face in shadow.

crop out the edge of the other document!

I might consider letting go of some of the reflected light on the floor below the walker. I like it as a square image with the lower edge just below her feet.