Critiques

  MKING (3050) 2007-11-20 22:56

I couldn't work this one out initially but then I "cheated" and looked at the date and figured it must be Nuit Blanche (and then read Alex's comment!)

I can certainly read it as a visual metaphor for the sentiments you describe, and perhaps in a more modern context it is quite an optimistic photograph. If you accept that the person on the ground represents the muslim diaspora in Canada then you can gather that the sand represents a stronger and more mutually-accepting presence in the Canada of the future, just as others have come and done so in the past. Of course, the film noir low key toning still leaves one feeling unsettled.

  MKING (3050) 2007-11-17 6:00

We used to play "cops and robbers" in the playground when we were very young, but it was hardly sinister what with fingers and maybe the odd stick for a truncheon. It must be different when you can actually hold a gun, even a toy one, in your hand and it looks real. As usual Kev you've taken an excellent street portrait and made it that much more poignant by combining it with compelling social commentary.

The same title popped into my head to describe a far less sinister encounter I had last year...
http://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=5&p=649611

  MKING (3050) 2007-11-13 10:46

Goes straight to the heart of everything I love about documentary photography-- people in their context with a strong sense of feeling to it. The softness seems to work fine, it has a vintage quality with the old facade, the softness and the slightly smoky tonality.

I have so much catching up to do here on TE, and a lot of photographs I want to go out and take too. I can't believe it's been almost a year since we wandered around the streets of Ottawa. Seems like last week!

  MKING (3050) 2007-11-13 10:41

Wonderfully dignified portrait here, and the tones are magnificent given the strong lighting in the background.

I haven't been around TE for so long but I don't have many new photographs to contribute. I have lots of ideas though for places and moods to shoot right here at home after being away for so long.

  MKING (3050) 2007-11-13 10:19

All those horizonal lines, even the texture of the water and sky, add up to a tranquil reading of this. And then one goes to the note and the quietness takes on a sinister aspect.

Saw this on your blog, I want to go travelling again-- just out of the city not necessarily overseas.

  MKING (3050) 2007-10-01 7:35

Saw this on your flickr gallery, 'tis a shot and half! You've set the standard high when it comes to racing photography: timing is impeccable here.

It's Spring Carnival time here and I hope to make it to one of the major meets at Flemmington-- time and equine influenza permitting.

Did you end up even due to luck or because you didn't have a little flutter...?

  MKING (3050) 2007-10-01 7:23

Been reading too many works deferring to either Michael Focault or Edward Said, or both, to also not pick up on the highlighted "Saxon arrogance" chain of through running through the critiques...

A classic example of everything the documentary photograph can achieve and be limited by.

  MKING (3050) 2007-09-11 6:37

Hey Peter, it's been a while. I see that you too, eventually were pulled back to TE.. :)

You've given us a very minimalist approach to your take on Poland thus far, but no less poignant. That hand, those many legs... The curiosity relationship between youth, innocence and heavy symbols of the "isms" of history (my time with the kids in N.Ireland galvanised that for me).

  MKING (3050) 2007-09-11 6:28

Haha, nicely spotted and framed, that's a whole explosion of colour there.

  MKING (3050) 2007-09-11 6:16

The guy looks like a light fixture or a sculpture in the thumbnail. Maybe I'm just tired, but I have trouble distinguishing him from the sharp lines and textures of the cathedral behind him. Maybe just a touch less depth of field would help but otherwise I have nothing else critical to say. You've really managed to capture just how imposing the size of that cathedral must be.