Photos

designsoul (21394) 2007-07-19 19:53

What a fantastic note. And a great shot, Chris, with this unusual fellow somewhere in Annapolis. Yes, that very quality is what that's making this world liveable... that quality of joy and compassion, the sense of being at one with all, high and low...
Love your bw. The man could be part of a 1960s movie without doubt.
Good night, big smile to you
sasa

bakes888 (18101) 2007-07-19 22:54

Hi Chris. Congrats on your first year (hopefully of many) in photography. And I pleased it is introducing you to many people and hopefully to humanity as well. As for the photo, you have captured a character here. Technically great and aesthetically very eye catching. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

pgorod (1122) 2007-07-20 3:34

Hi Chris,

this is a great shot, your subject definitely has a personality and a pose, and you nailed it very effectively in this picture...

I also enjoyed your note... not excessively "sunday school" for me... :-).

Clairedelune (4885) 2007-07-20 18:35

My goodness Chris! Where are you finding your subject??? Or are you sure you are still taking photos from the planet Earth??? :)) You are constantly surprised by people? I am constantly surprised by you!
First year in photography? Well, I can tell you, you are developing your own style and very fast in fact! I am quite impressed. When I see the thumbnail photo, I can recognize "Hey! That's a photo of Chris!".
And I open it because I am sure it will be entertaining and clever! Oh boy, it is!
About the technicalities, well, I am far from being sure of myself here, but on my screen, it seems a little mat. Well, I am not sure it is the right word (English missing here), I think I miss some real white.
The photo in itself is so you! I like it a lot. Pecular character! Good!
Claire

InasiaJones (20012) 2007-07-22 17:16

Hi Chris,

Here you are again, chasing the androids of Annapolis... In very few time, you’ve found your own voice, although my comment doesn’t imply that you will stop there... Judging by your previous experimentation, I’m sure you’ll find a way to push the envelop in a new direction. But one thing is for sure, human spirit will remain at the center of your preoccupation, a constantly renewable interest.

This street shaman in full figure is a dandy fellow, reminescent of the 70’s Haight and Ashbury. But however colourful your subjects might be, we always feel that there’s no mockery involved. They surely feel the same, as they let you approach them and allow to share a piece of their soul with you. Your portraits implicate that they’re part of our society, as marginal as they might be.

Although you don’t live in New York, your latest photos often make me think of "Taxi Driver", probably because like Travis Bickle, you have a fascination for the seedy side of street life and your reflections bears the same thoughts that goes on in his head. But instead of a gun, you’ve choose a camera to shoot them, which is a much better option.

As Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorcese have mentionned there will be a new film about Bickle, 30 years later, I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out to became a street photographer... ;-p)

Cheers!

André

Luko (13890) 2007-07-23 12:57

Well... "character pose" is a whole genre in photography, leaving aside the pros and cons of the genre, it's quite a success, tho the guy being a big part of it (that's the limit of this genre, where you have to rely on your characters' charisma).

Maybe I'd pick on the background striped polo loser, at bumping into the king of the street at shoulder height. Probably I'd say something about the way he is standing into his environment, or more precisely how we don't really see him interctaing with his biotope (once again the limit of the genre, personally too close for me).

I have just written a reply to your comment on Sohrab's pic as a warm up, so I'm pretty hot now for a darkroom printing talk ;) ... I think the word that Claire misses is ... dull... woooops, sorry I said it, ok I reckon this is a too severe word but your print is too dense, Chris : don't forget caucasian faces are on Zone VI or VII, whereas his face looks tending to IV or V. You're a full stop over, there is absolutely no detail into his pants and poor ones on the right hand side buildings.

Just for my curiosity what size are your printing? I'd advise : 1-trying to print BIG like 30*40cm (12*16 inches), the bigger the easier 2- limiting your enlarger exposure time to first pitch black and let the paper soak in the developper for at 5 mins, you'll see how details will come out into the white areas after a while.

dougie (2920) 2007-07-25 2:38

Hi,
Striking. The picture stands alone from the note and at the same time part of it. A good read and food for thought in the morning! I keep seeing the guy in the backround and wondering if it's really about him. Thanks.
Dougie.

syd1946 (17869) 2007-07-27 17:26

Hello Chris,
I am still amazed from all this kind of shots you present us with every new post and I am wondering where did you find these interesting people.This is real life and the live near us.I like this very much as your note which helps us very much to enjoy more!
Friendly Regards from Greece,
Thomas

PJE (19401) 2007-09-13 7:44

Very interesting photo Chris. I wonder what kind of impressions I would get at work if I wore what this fella has around his neck. Forget the suit.. just give me the heavy metal around his neck. I keep wondering how you manage to invade other people's privacy and capture photos like this. Good work Chris!