Fairfax Finest Photo

Photographer’s Note

I introduced folks to the "Mayor" of Fairfax last year, suggesting that it is a bit of a funky community. It is charming, no doubt, with expensive homes and fine views of Mount Tamalpais. It also enjoys its historic reputation as a center of the counter culture.

On this particular Saturday there was a parade that marked the beginning of the 28th Annual Fairfax Festival and 2nd Ecofest. I arrived early with the intention of photographing participants as they gathered in the staging area about three blocks fom my home. After rambling through the chaotic collection of kids, musicians, horses and displays in various stages of assemblage, I walked up the road and found a seat on the curb at a median strip between two roads that had been shut down for the occasion. The police officer had parked his bicycle close to where I sat, standing in the street as he awaited the parade to begin.

I took a few photos at the staging area as well as a few of the parade, but the most interesting to my eye is this photo of the Fairfax police officer leaning next to his Smith & Wesson bicycle. For those who are unaware of the fact, Smith and Wesson makes GUNS, not bicycles. I guess this is a police department special, a mobile advertisement for the gun manufacturer who may or may not have sold the gun strapped to the policeman's side. I don't know about you, but I find it a bit incongruous to think about bicycles and gun-toting officers of the law. But he was a good guy, even offering to move his bicycle so I could get a clearer view of the parade.

Enjoy the parade! We're obviously in safe hands...

RGatward, pamastro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Homerhomer (4005) 2005-06-14 15:15

A fine image Curtis, the woman with dog makes the image for me, without them it wouldn't be nearly as good, they add a debth and appeal.
Composition is fine but I can't help to think that he and his bike are too centered, I am not the one who advocates following the rules, but think that in this case had you moved a bit to the right to have him more towards the left of the frame, or even trying tighter composition with the woman visible just under the bike's frame in between the tires, and have a very tight crop of the cop, perhaps just the bag, feet and parts of tires, would be an interesting option.
Light must have been pretty harsh, but bw being more forgiving than colour, blown highlights don't bother me.
Peter

RGatward (19737) 2005-06-14 15:35

Funny observation, a pity they don't turn there entire output over to something useful. Good choice of B&W.

erdna (5348) 2005-06-14 16:15

That is a very interesting note. I did not know either S&W makes bikes. The picture is fine, the bike, your subject is well defined.

Andre'

CarlosRoberto (0) 2005-06-14 19:47

muito boa esta composição, principalmente em preto e branco.

pamastro (7213) 2005-06-16 0:12

Well that's interesting. I have never seen a Smith and Wesson bicycle before. It would be great if they put their resources to making bikes instead of weapons. This is a nice black and white shot, Curtis. Perhaps a bit more graininess might add more of a grittiness to the atmosphere. It already is leaning that way with the contrasts, the point of view and the cutting of the officer. I don't know if a tighter crop, to the back tire, might also help off center it. Though there is a nice traingle formed by the posts to the officer and back to the lady. So it works well and you had a good eye to catch it like this rather than a wider shot standing up with the entire officer.

Photo Information

Copyright: Curtis Grindahl (cgrindahl) (6109)
Genre: People
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2005-06-04
Categories: Daily Life, Festivals, Transportation
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 DI, Digital RAW, B+W 67mm UV-Haze MRC
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-06-14 14:57