Staten Island ferry, 3 of 3 Photo

Photographer’s Note

On the Staten Island ferry, 3 of 3.

Last in the series.
I finally managed to catch the hair flick!
You can read the notes from the previous shots in the series here and here, if you want to know what's going on.

Kodak Tri-X pushed to ISO 1600.

delic, eleparc, wilkinsonsg, luisafonso, marknunnerley has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Miks (1709) 2007-09-23 2:20

I find this to be the most intruiging of the three images because it is not clear that a photosession is going on (bracketing the fact that the image itself is a result of a photo-session, of course). The big, dark silhouettes contra the girl is very strong. Good choice with strong contrast in this one. We like. That is, I like, I see that I am only the third one to view the pic. Bizarre!

Best,
Mikkel

Luko (13904) 2007-09-23 3:16

Wow this is a fantastic take, Ben, her hair in the wind and the seagull flying over make it a decisive moment for me.
There's nothing I can critic in the composition, which is closing nicely the reading from every side, even top and bottom. The silhouettes are very well displayed into the frame, nothing can make you think about a shoot out, more of a "Jules & Jim" threesome.

On the technical side, I have some big reservations against pushed TriX when it's not necessary, this is already a steep film. I don't think that these conditions needed push processing either. If you want 1600SIO buy TMAX3200 and it'll do the work, as for TriX, stick to 400ISO.

delic (6735) 2007-09-23 5:25

Hi Ben,
Just went back and looked at the rest of the series. You've saved the best to the last. Both the hair thing and the composition which is aided by the silhouettes. The protruding lens is the only clue that this was a photo session. It reminded me of scenes from the film noir genre. Even the gull is well-placed here. Great one! Regards,
Hakan

bantonbuju (49014) 2007-09-23 6:10

melancholic, with quite a dose of crazyness...what is quite a firm decission is that b/w choice which strongly underlines the contours and shapes in this image...very successful photo, sort of magazine ad...
best wishes, j.

prezntime (3945) 2007-09-23 6:25

Instand favorite Ben.
The deep tones bring out those incredible grains...just crackling with texture. The juxtaposition of the two (seemingly working class; I can imagine can't I) men and the woman with her hair tossed back makes this photo very dynamic. The yellow filter really added nicely to the shot. All in all a great shot.

Just to comment about a bit of Lukos comment. Don't buy Tmax 3200, buy Ilford Delta 3200...I'm thoroughly displeased with Tmax films.

Later.
Chris

Went bak to see the other photos...photographers are working class too 8?}

broglia (3394) 2007-09-23 6:46

Hi Ben, a strange sense of voyeurism pervades this shot - the two dark silhouettes, obviously men - and the scantily clad woman in the provocative pose. No wonder your girlfriend was p#ssed! Nice one to finish off with.

Best regards, Roberto

mesutilgim (38604) 2007-09-23 7:30

Hi Ben,
I like all those "silhouttes" . Very good idea. Something quite different than standart TE entries.
Very well composed and goo catch !
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

Brian (1) 2007-09-23 9:03

Hi Ben,
I was instantly attracted to this dark BW photo on the ferry. Whether it's a hair flick or just the wind, the hair flowing like that is awesome. The two dark characters in a staggered line bring my eye right to her. Man your lucky to have caught this on the ferry!

Budapestman (44737) 2007-09-23 10:07

Dear Ben,
This is great. Silhouettes is very impressive, I like the splendid POV and the suggestive atmosphere. Excellent genre photo, provocative and exciting work. Have a nice Sunday
George

Anna-- (7777) 2007-09-23 11:23

Ciao Ben,
excellent image, very good silhouettes.
Nice tonality
Anna

ninaL (19689) 2007-09-23 12:16

Hi, Ben.

Very good one. Excellent composition with tree persons, and very dynamic effect of flying hair.

Best regards. Grazyna.

wilkinsonsg (8646) 2007-09-24 10:39

Well caught! - worth the wait:)

eleparc (24063) 2007-09-25 0:58

the roof as well as the flying hair in the wind are two key elements in this winning shot! bravo! the best of the three IMO
Eric (come later)

vincz (19085) 2007-09-25 2:50

Great composition. The woman's hair is fantastic. I like so much the 2 dark silhouettes. An excellent one.

luisafonso (858) 2007-09-26 2:43

This is very good Ben. There is an intense cinematic feel in this one. If it wasn't for the NY skyline, I would say a French one. The girl with her hair flying like a Medusa, the pair of guys with those berets... There is really a French flavor in all this. Your composition is very good, the way you enveloped everything in thick black leaving only the left edge as an escape point (or a light entry section) is very good. Very nice indeed.

AnimeshRay (8894) 2007-09-27 20:42

An outstanding photo here you have, Ben! A brilliant composition and a fine decisive moment. Love the flying of hair, carefree, against the new sad backdrop, stunted since 2001, of Manhattan. Fantastic black and white.

Bravo! A favorite.

Regards,
Animesh

Furachan (0) 2007-09-30 4:56

Great shot Ben, quite striking with the sturdy "berets2 offset by the wild hair of the girl... Very nicely seen and doe,
Francis

marknunnerley (2768) 2007-10-02 5:20

Great silhouette of the girl and her flying hair and the two men Ben. Just shows how a split second after the other shot has this one standing out.
br
mark