Out of the Past Photo

Photographer’s Note

There was something vaguely sinister about him as he was walking down the street after the St. Patrick's Parade. His wide brimmed hat and his expression threw me back to the world of film noir. He was walking slightly ahead of me and, sensing my curiosity, he turned back, unexpectedly, surprising me with a few peculiar grimaces such as this one (another one I might upload at a later point, it is quite unusual to say the least). He seemed fascinated to be in front of the lens, and did nothing to conceil it. But his delight was somehow tinged with an unsettling mood.

Title is taken from the 1947 film noir "Out of the Past" by Jacques Tourneur, starring Robert Michum and Jane Greer.

Roly, don_narayan, Paolo, gaby, andante, digi-mom, KevRyan, AMZINCHIA, mvanderrohe, Inunguak has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

don_narayan (2014) 2006-03-13 12:09

Hi Sasa. Fantastic portrait. The b/w is great, it really suits the old days apparell. His grimace is priceless but his eyes are incredible, half cocked and and almost serpentine. Well done.

Narayan

Paolo (40763) 2006-03-13 12:45

Hi Sarolta, brilliant note for that wonderful portrait.
a perfect focus and amazing light on that funny face!
good work.
thanks, ciao

gaby (19793) 2006-03-13 12:54

Sasa bonsoir - again a great portrait - superb light sepia and funny face of your model -
very well captured (and great superb blurred background)
Thanks
Regards
Gaby

ndb1958 (9249) 2006-03-13 14:21

Hi Sarolta,
what a great portrait ... the perspective is perfect. Wonderful!
Nino

vts_ch (2624) 2006-03-13 14:49

Tilted! I love tilt except when I play pinball...
Really fantastic, with this funny expression, and a great colorimitric treatment. nice nice job

faubry (32511) 2006-03-13 16:19

hello Sasa, amazing and funny shot! i like this expression, very enjoy..and rvery good glance to ... bravo
francine
soon( 20 days)

KevRyan (22426) 2006-03-13 18:02

Whatever he's thinking and wherever he's coming from he certainly looks like a character! Nicely caught Sasa - a nice street portrait - face on but still somehow with a sense of the candid.

best wishes Kev

AMZINCHIA (1082) 2006-03-13 20:19

Good morning from China, Sasa.
'Film noir' indeed, so much indeed. I like this extremely dynamic portrait, where both the subject and the photographer seem to be connected. I like the tilt, too. Very much so. Bringing life to the portrait, making photography the best friend of movie making. And I like the too big-size framing of the face, making the top of the hat out of lens reach. And finally, I find the grasped expression amazingly rich: what does this peculiar grimace mean? What feelings fuel it from behind? Who is he? Super nice shot, Sasa. And super nice note too! (ps: a big friendly smile for letting me call you Sasa now!) --amz

vapours (7945) 2006-03-13 20:24

What a great portrait, the title matches the photo just perfectly as well as the sepia toning. Perfectly done.

bantonbuju (48856) 2006-03-13 20:54

hi sasa,
this is gorgeous: the grimace, the tilt, and it wouldnt wors so well if presented in full colour, i guess;
i have noticed that pointing the camera while holding it below the model's face's level results in a very dynamic, candid composition;
very nice work;
best, j.

mvanderrohe (249) 2006-03-13 21:09

Bonsoir Sasa,
Another splendid old time style portrait. It shows a great talent for catching the expression of people. You really have a cinematographic eye and you prove it once again! Bravo!

Furachan (0) 2006-03-14 3:45

Brilliant portrait - no matter how much this guy "mugs fgor the camera" something deep and true shines through, and you nailed that, sasa. Good on you!
Technically very cool with that tilt like a tilt of the hat otself...
Cheers,
Francis

andante (7092) 2006-03-14 6:08

There is something really spooky about him, the worst is that he gives me the impression of 'I have seen you before, but can't remember where or why'... maybe he is an actor walking the streets in character...

jinju (14265) 2006-03-14 7:09

Escellent work. WHAT a portrait Sasa. Super facial expression, I love the bokeh. I really like his cool look with that hat, like some 1950s private eye, a look enhanced by your sepia treatment.

Homerhomer (4005) 2006-03-14 8:54

Your photo with the note about him and his facial expressions reminds me of
silent interviewPhilippe Halsman had wityg with Fernandel in 1948.
Peter

flydragon (0) 2006-03-17 18:46

hello Sarolta
what a cool face
i like his naughty eyes
and the black and white is also good
i guess it was not easy with the light
sad for the background but seems a strong light behing
this guy with sun glasses ,o)
regards
••simon••