The Poem on Photography Photo

Photographer’s Note

Perhaps you recognize Dave, who is a homeless man in Ottawa. His home, that is, is what you see on this shot: some makeshift cardboard boxes with a little mascot, cardboards with his poems handwritten on them, a book, there's always a book, that David reads, a sudoku collection and the notebook David is holding in his hand. In the winter, his furnace is the sole winter blanket under which he wraps himself even when the temperature sinks below minus 20... Yesterday, as we said hello in the dying sun, he wanted to read out to me his poem on photography, and I asked if he minded my taking a shot of him again in the meantime. He easily acquiesced, as he always does, with a cheer that I find baffling, and infinitely moving, seeing his unbelievably harsh physical circumstance.

The colour version is in the WS.

ninaL, jonathan_hart, hispic, andante, Dpbours, MiguelP, bantonbuju, luisafonso, Griet, yanseiler, jaywalker, Angelillo, AmiBe, mpdre, atlantida, michiels, tcht, hamster has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

hispic (7399) 2007-08-27 15:25

Hi Sarolta,
Sophisticated black and white with fine tone and beautiful light.
superb!
Best wishes,
Hisashi

ninaL (19592) 2007-08-27 15:31

Beautiful, Sarolta !!!

I would like take the similar photograph...
I would be happy to find the same situation...
Homeless poet...he does not to be homeless...
He seems be happy, maybe beceause of his passion for books and poetry.
Good composition and tones...
I like it very much.

Best regards. Grazyna.

PS : "Fragile"...Yes, I think all this, and this man, is "fragile...

Sekhmet73 (4133) 2007-08-27 15:35

Hi Sarolta, a photo full of emotions. The sepia convertion is great, it fits perfectly.
Sabrina

Furachan (0) 2007-08-27 15:47

The quality of the shadow alone distinguishes this image, Sasa - absolutely stunning, almost to the point of suggesting an "alter ego" to this chap, lit up on the wall - it gives this fine portrait a kind of allegorical feel, the whole enehanced by world class B/W.
bw,
Francis

kajspice (4534) 2007-08-27 15:48

I always love how you upload two versions of your image. And I feel your decision on which one to post is always the right one.

You call it the dying sun... Dead, dying or alive it adds something very special here.

You seem to me like an angel without wings, moving from place to place from person to person, touching each with your presence and ideas. I believe you are a truly wonderful friend to those whom know you.

You never fail to move me with your work...

edit. scared that as of late, I am concentrating, perhaps too much on symbolism and emotional aspects of people's pictures, I had better write something about what I am actually looking at.. Well, its lovely. You played the shadow game beautifully yourself here. There is something sinister about the look on sponge bob squarepant's face (evil!) The shadows of the objects on the floor and near his feet are very nice..essential in creating the atmosphere around him.

Aline_N (3157) 2007-08-27 16:53

Strong portrait of a strong person. I specially appreciate the quality of the tones, and the shadow. An excellent light.

Polonaise (5638) 2007-08-27 19:29

That's close...
That's ultimately close...
Can't get any closer than that.

A shadow plays the main role in there...
Can a shadow talk ?
Quite obviously this one does...

One of very yours, Sasa..

g.

andante (7092) 2007-08-27 20:22

So many wonderful words expressed on this page to praise your work, that I don't know what else to say... when I finally learn to take pictures I hope they to look like this...
Enrique

Dpbours (220) 2007-08-27 21:10

Hi Sasa,

I was already wondering about something when seeing the previous shot of Dave... Did you ever track down the photographer who did a series on him for the local newspaper? Just wondering. Would be a nice circle to get a shot of him on a bustling Ottawa press room ;-).
A great composition, not even cutting off his shade and the poems clearly visible to the right. The colour version is too soft for me and you are and always will be my black and white specialist :-). I expect you're using duotones to get such results? Always wondered about that one.

Have a good day!
Dennis

kensimage (8543) 2007-08-27 23:35

That shadow is the ominous darkness that accompanies him through his life, complementing the sun that warms him pleasantly. So the context is oh, so fitting for your poetic portrait of this man, Sasa. The tones are beautiful as well.

But how, I must wonder, does a denizen of the street have such neat hair and beard?

Regards, Ken.

MiguelP (14336) 2007-08-27 23:41

I love all the photo, of couse, but I cant help to stop my regard in this "fragil" word. Dont know in Canada or Hungary, but there is the tradition in mediterranean houses to name them, so I see this Fragil as the way to call his universe, and by extension, himself. And also this melancolic light...
Take care you litle one,
Miguel

pittdesign (276) 2007-08-28 0:03

Powerful composition. The B&W treatment is brillant to this kind of emotional picture. I like how the shadow is on the wall.

bantonbuju (48796) 2007-08-28 1:34

sasa, god bless your soul for your social approach to people like dave...
and god bless your camera, always up your sleeve...
-------
fascinating that there is that thin link between you and him on photography, fascinating that the man is so much engaged in a subject which is so remote (in my opinion) from his style of living...
by the way, what did he say in the poem?
bw, j.

luisafonso (858) 2007-08-28 1:46

Fragil. That word hanging there over a cardboard is so meaningful here... Great photo Sasa! Even better than the first take even if I take some risk saying that. The shadow is so good. It presents another vision of his soul. This tones b&w is so beautiful and all the details in the frame... That little toy sitting over the bag, the box of sayings, the tiny library, the running shoes... Impressive real life setting. You really have to print it and give it to him. He will be amazed because I am sure he understands what a real piece of art is.

jonathan_hart (22627) 2007-08-28 2:13

hello Sarolta
what a scene captured !
this B&W version works perfectly with this amazing shot, the light is fabulous, the shadow adds a great bonus to the composition !
impressive portrait and story, well done & all my respect for this man too
regards
jo

rbcy1974 (20746) 2007-08-28 4:02

Hello Sasa,
Really powerful stuff, the ligthing conditions are excellent does creating a shadow which seems to have a life of its own,
you have really managed to capture part of the man's character.
Regards
Daniel

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-08-28 6:23

A portrait full of dignity, of the essence of man. Perhaps in a different world he would be a holy man, a wandering ascetic. Here you have framed him with his simple possessions, the shadow of his spirit looming over his writings. A wonderful portrayal.

Griet (506) 2007-08-28 6:37

Hi Sasa,
A very nice one indeed. Perfect in B/W to give it the right mood with your note. The long shadows of the setting (dying) sun are the perfect combination
thanks
Griet

Darren (6819) 2007-08-28 6:42

Very nice Sasa. Great use of the strong, directional light. Nice conversion to b&w and I think about the right focal length used too. NOt much to nitpick here, nice photo.

markoci (3917) 2007-08-28 7:07

a lesson in environmental photography and how to handle harsh light... the pieces of his life, the cardboard box with the sign, the evil sponge bob (u can't help but wonder..), the letters (his poetry?).. again, a wondrous b&w... i have a feeling he would appreciate a print (i know i would..).. a fav

jo utat, es fotozz tobbet otthon, mint en :-(...

chicken (1781) 2007-08-28 7:40

Love this one, I especially like how the picture from right to left changes. First it's a mess of lines and highlights, but the further left you get the simpler the image becomes, concluded by a wonderful shadow. I tried a version mirrored horizontally to make it more straight forward to "read" it as described above, but the image did loose a lot of its energy.

Again excellent choice to do this in b&w, the color version doesn't work at all for me.

pgorod (1122) 2007-08-28 8:31

Hi Sasa,

Nice duplicities here...

The man and his shadow...
The feet and the shoes...
The man and that toy puppet...
You making art based on him, him making art based on you...

When you give him the print, make sure you get the poem from him and come post it here!

yanseiler (20) 2007-08-28 10:22

Hi Sasa, an "interesting story" that you deliver. This shadow is waouw, we can see his mouth and eveything... Very strong portrait respectfully taken according to the circumstances... I mention your nice BW for the last time as it is always good...

jaywalker (12308) 2007-08-28 10:23

Hi Sarolta, A superb B/W photo, the lighting is wonderful throwing out some beautiful shadow, the gray tones are perfect, very appropriate for this scene, beautifully composed & well framed, I love the photo it is excellent, kind regards Wilson.

vapours (7913) 2007-08-28 13:05

Great work once again here Sarolta, and I think even a better image than your previous one of him..and I loved that one too. Some great shadows here. Looks as if he has himself pretty well organised here.

Angelillo (9065) 2007-08-28 13:17

Hi Sasa,

Who knows the history of the many homeless of the world? Your shot is full of sensitivity and the note tell a little great history! I agree with you about the B&W version... The shadow in the wall is amazing, and the many detailed elements compose a brilliant image! The shot is too a poem! Thanks.

Greetings,
Angel.

robiuk (10763) 2007-08-28 13:57

Sasa,
this stuff is sooo good!
Apart from recognizing this person
immediately, I instantly fell in love
with this one as I find it not only
highly emotional, but timeless at the
same time. The amount of details here
is incredible and if the guy could see
your work the way we see it now, I'm sure
he'd be deeply moved!
Techically perfect, so no need to waste
time & space for that.
A masterpiece that immediately goes into
my favourites!
Robi

AmiBe (6042) 2007-08-28 14:26

Superb story Sasa...
You give us a great lesson of humanity.
You don't just take pictures of people in the street, but you are interested by the life of your subjects.

tehanu_f (6874) 2007-08-28 14:38

Superb shot, Sarolta. It's expressive and stylish. Your light management is remarkable, too. Congrats.
Fusun

jinju (14265) 2007-08-28 17:41

In both shots you get in close, really close to him..he has let youin, trusts you, and it resonates. Wouldnt he be a fantastic subject for a series? Get in his world, and document it...a day in his life? Id love to see it.

mpdre (1587) 2007-08-28 17:53

Dear Sasa,
What I love in this shot is the light, the moment in which you have captured the scene, a moment that returns those strong shadows on the wall. The man with sunglasses reading his notebook has a real weight in the image, but is his shadow and the ethereal light covering the scene what has really captivated me in this shot. Bravo!
Andre

dsidwell (9745) 2007-08-28 20:28

Very evocative and enticing photo, Sarolta! I love the artistic viewpoint here, and the well composed elements. Super work and super moment captured!

atlantida (2323) 2007-08-28 23:55

Beautiful story Sasa, it shows a man who still has a strong will for living although he lives in conditions which most people consider as bad life conditions. I dont think this man is fragile, contrary, he is a very strong person and kinda cool with those glasses:) Really his shadow plays the main role here, very well composed as almost always...
Gordana

wolf38 (13085) 2007-08-29 1:27

Hello Sasa. Again one of your impressing photos. Photo and text of this human existence are very convincing. My acknowledgment. Best regards, Wolfgang.

eleparc (24059) 2007-08-29 9:10

I do remember his photograph. He looks much healhier on this shot, with a much better face. Glad to see him look this way. You did a great portrait, far from a poor or sad mood.. Well done!
congrats
Eric

djslim (552) 2007-08-29 9:51 [Comment]

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michiels (4170) 2007-08-29 11:01

hi Sasa,

I would like to see this one barytpaper, it would give the perfect touch to it ;)
I admire your attitude and the making of his portrait, it is not always easy to do and asks a lot of psychology. It makes me think of Diane Arbus.
many greetings, inn

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-08-30 0:45

Dear Sasa....wow...the impact of this image is so strong!
an image....a life....a hard life...
in this image you have captured a lot of this man...all his world...
the composition is fantastic with the shadow on the wall..
the BW superb..
great as usual!
ciao!
Valeria

faubry (32419) 2007-09-01 17:07

yes i recognize this man, wonderful shot , beautiful BW with superb light, this man seems is very happy ??? i like shadow.
i havnt answerd from Hungria...
soon
francine

tcht (7298) 2007-09-03 2:13

Hi Sasa, wonderful scene here...lovely light forming that amazing shadow. and I like this bw conversion a lot. also excellent framed showing his 'home' altogether..Very good work!
Cheers
Cheukhin

prezntime (3945) 2007-09-03 18:57

Hello Sarolta.
I definately like the B&W better...the play of light and shadow is so much better with your treatment. A little sepia, good deep blacks and nice highlights. Something about his shadow reminds me of the wolfman, like he is transforming...anyway, just a random thought that popped into my head.
Now that I got that outa the way, how was his poem...was it impactful, or was it more telling of a mind with some longstanding troubles? Great shot and outstanding mood.
Chris.

mcenteesalas (1612) 2007-09-10 17:13

Hi Sarolta, Hi really love your black & white shots and namely this one, I love the frontal shot with the sun sweeping from the right lighting it beautifully, I also saw the previous shot of Dave which I found quite nice too, why don`t you do a kind of short theme of this person? I personally think it would be a nice idea cos from looking at his 2 shots I was wondering if I could follow up his story on another shot and another and another etc, I think you would do well on this theme,personally I find him quite charismatic, I also enjoyed reading your note it really puts this photo in perspective, do you shoot in manual or automatic? I would love to know, thank you for sharing an and all the best, regards, J.P.Salas

hamster (1045) 2007-09-12 16:20

Hi!

Light & shadows as well as B&W tones are IMHO the key to success of this shot (and the reason of such high amount of points you've achieved). Interesting street photo and a bacground story.

Grzegorz.

elBud (2211) 2007-10-11 14:53 [Comment]

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