I have struggled with whether to post this or not, but I keep coming back to it. Nothing is really sharp and in focus, and when I look at the man's feet if I knew no better it almost looks as though I have photo-shopped him in the scene, but it was his stillness that drew me to taking the shot in the first place and it is what keeps me coming back to it, he seems out of place. Does it work/does it not work? Have I gone too high contrast? Would love some feed back on this one.
I'm good with it because I get the content, the subject is firmly planted stock still (looking at phone) while every other person in the photo is mid-stride. The world goes on. I'm going to guess the reason for him looking "photoshopped in" is lack of shadows from mid-day. But the thing I love about street is that it does not wait for golden hour. You have to take the shot when its there regardless of the time of day and whether the light is 'perfect' or not. So in saying all that, it works for me. And I'll blatantly steal a quote from 365'er Richard Sayer @vignouse "Sharp is not everything in an image...it has to have soul." This image has soul, so there you have it! :)
Hi Andie and @dbj - yeah it works, precisely because of all those inconsistencies. What I like most about this image is that he looks as if he has stepped straight out of the poster on the hoarding behind him... He bridges the gap between reality and fiction and reverses their roles. This is a very neat image... I like!
I agree with the other comments. He looks like he stepped out if the poster and I really like his stillness compared to the other people. They are all facing and walking away from him, which I also find interesting. Wonderful capture.
I took one very similar to this when I toured AIC. I didn't post for the same reason. I was really struck by this guy who stood stock still in the midst of chaos all around him. He, like this man, was quite dapper and looked delightfully absorbed in his own little world. You've captured the same thing here. I think it works, and, I like it!
I agree with all the others and quite like his stillness amidst the motion that surrounds him. I can definitely see why you were drawn into this scene. Some of your blacks look really black, so you may have lost a little detail there, but I do like the contrast - plus, contrast works here as is it's the theme of your image. What puzzles me slightly is why no part of it seems to be in focus - you're at 17 mm, 6.3 at 1/160th, so my guess is either you took the shot super quick before Mr. Cell Phone Man figured out what you were up to, or perhaps you snapped it from the hip and didn't quite get the focus spot on. Either way, it's not that much of a hindrance - I'm just blabbing because you invited us to do so ; ) Nice image - I'm glad you decided to share it with us.
I agree with everyone about the stillness of your subject, versus the movement all around him. My main observation (which I still have to remind myself to do, all the time) is to take a shot at leveling it in LR (or the equivalent). Sometimes, that level and reframe makes all the difference.
I'm glad you posted it, Andie. It's a classic street shot. He is the focus and draws us in as he drew you in. The static nature is reflected by the figure in the poster and contrasts with those all important moving figures. The boy has his head turned towards you … he might not be looking directly at you but we might think he is… and someone seeming to catch you out adds to a surreptitious street shot, I think. With street shots you can get away with a lack of sharpness… I sometimes wonder if itis obligatory! The lighting contrast underline the contrasts in the image. It's fab and a real fav!
love it, your man looks like he stepped out of a time machine and getting his bearings. Nobody can see him, as they are all busy with their daily life. Sorry, must get back to mother earth soon and stop seeing things. please forgive me
I like this. The lone figure is appealing, and a commentary on our way of life today. With all is surrounding him, he is very focused on one tiny phone.
The good thing about street photography is that the content of the image is always the most important aspect but good light, composition and technical quality all help to lift it. I can see why you photographed this guy as his stance is interesting and I like the poster lady overlooking him as well as the three people walking away from him. Overall I think it works but perhaps not as well as it could have done.
The motion in this shot is incredible. The man standing still with everyone moving around him tells a story. He almost seems to be floating above the pavement. Really cool!
There definitely is something captivating about the man, the feel of stillness in him in a hectic surrounding so I can well understand why you kept going back for this shot. It works for me
I love it...and he does look a bit out of place, which makes the photo so interesting! Well spotted and captured. ... and after reading other comments it is almost magical that he looks as though he stepped out of the signage. Well done and glad you posted it! Go with your instincts..right?
It's excellent! I love that the guy looks like he stopped instantly on reading a text on his phone with either really good news or really bad news. I'm going with really good news :)
Love his stillness, his obsessive concentration on his cell phone, his detachment from his surroundings....you are right, it almost looks like he has landed there from outer space! That being said, I do wish he was positioned a bit more to the left, possibly where the lamppost is at the lighter panel so that he would have stood out more. Also, I would have cropped him tighter and removed the other people from the frame to emphasize his isolation.
I haven't been posting on 365 but wanted to send you a message. I love seeing your photos on instagram. I just figured out what VSCO is, duh! I don't really get how it works yet.....hope all is well.
@nanalisarocks Thanks Lisa. Love your work on instagram too. I have been out of town and busy with family and having one of those times when photography has taken a pause, but hope to be back posting properly this week. I still have not properly figured out VSCO, I am an android user and wonder if having an iPhone it might make more sense, but for now I really like some of their filters.
June 19th, 2015
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I haven't been posting on 365 but wanted to send you a message. I love seeing your photos on instagram. I just figured out what VSCO is, duh! I don't really get how it works yet.....hope all is well.