Tête à Tête Photo

Photographer’s Note

Taken in Athens...an absorbed moment in a cafe, shot through the window of a clothing store.

Note added later: I want to make certain that I do not imply any sort of comparison between the mannequins and the girls. It was merely a geometrical composition that I attempted. If a comparison can be made, it is in the sense of contrast--that of the (very) intelligent face of the girl against the mannequin--which belies the conventional sexist attitude. I know, for I am the proud father of a daughter who went to MIT and Berkeley.

Isabelle, Xalkida, nerve has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2005-03-07 2:37

I like it! Another fantastic natural shot of everyday life. The pair of girls on the right, and the pair of mannequins on the left balance off each other nicely (nice happy expressions of a friendly chat). And the BW tones are spot on.

Very good stuff Animesh!

kaud (1838) 2005-03-07 3:58

Your b&w is making more absorbed to your photographs.
Captured this moment quite well.
The smile is a million dollar one - free, filled with vitality and life and surely having no idea of a peeping Tom snapping her;).

Thanks for sharing.

sophia (162) 2005-03-07 22:55

I like your "street" shots... It's always nice capturing moments like these from different perspectives. They say a lot about people's daily lives.

Pattyjy (2180) 2005-03-08 6:28

Une jolie photo. Comme une petite indiscrétion ! Bravo. Amtitié, Patty.

clodreno (0) 2005-03-08 11:52

it's becoming impossible to view all the images on TE..
I like this catch.. B&W. good.
The compo is very nice I like the dummies in he foreground..
and the two girls chatting.. nice .

Surrender2000 (0) 2005-03-10 4:48 [Comment]

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jhe00 (271) 2005-03-13 23:25

excellent. wonderfully composed with great b&w tone. strong commentary.

Isabelle (9014) 2005-03-16 8:43

kind of a urban poem, in which the two dummies rhyme with the girls.
looks like everything was smartly composed beforehand :))
EDITED: yes, i come back to photos i like :)
i´ve just read the second paragraph of your note. 1) my sincere congratulations for your daughter! 2) what made you think there would be a comparison between the dummies and the girls? it is quite clear (at least for me) your intention was to make a thoughtful composition.

sohrab (7423) 2005-03-16 13:25

this is a very strong composition animesh..
i love these kind of photographs in which the focus is on something in the background, with a boke in the foreground.
there is something very peculiar about the b&w toning here.
the white on the mannequin on the right seems tohave that kind of a neon glow on it.
what iso film is this... the grains make it seems like an extremely high speed film, like a 1600 or a 3200. but looking at the grains you've been getting with your Tri-x 400s i wouldn't be surprised if this film is not as high as i think it to be
take care

p.s. hey where do you teach??

Xalkida (11740) 2005-03-16 19:12

Excellent composition! I like the geometrical idea! :) Excellent daily life scene, very fine B&W convertion, great idea the grain. Very fine work!

Luko (13896) 2005-03-17 5:44

Hey it's very well spotted : this image tells the story of two dummy heads tired of being exposed and who have taken their freedom from their plastic bodies.
No negative comparison I think. Taken in that way, It even could express a feminist claim.

I simply wish we couldn't see the rightside girl arm and shoulders to get the perfect illusion.

nerve (10212) 2005-03-20 2:36

Hey this is a great one Mr. Ray! :-))
Composition is superb in this.

You have quite a distinctive "HCB" style in your own way...