Solitude Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The inner courtyard of the Neues Rathaus (new city hall) in Munich, with the tables of "Ratskeller" cafe, seen from the belfry. I was amazed how they wanted to make a perfect ordered structure with these tables, but somehow did not quite succeed ;) Anyway, the only man sitting there doesn´t bother with these structures at all, seeming to be deep in his thoughts...

Scanned from print

cyrrhus, Propofol, tjanze, noir, nwoehnl, PixelTerror, kebek, smash2707, Jeppe, MLINES, king, luisafonso, anney, CLODO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

russte (0) 2006-05-26 6:19

Hi Alexander, a great observation. Superb graphic style. And your luck in having just one man sitting at one of the tables! It's a pity he's not wearing a different coloured shirt - but there's always the option to cheat in PP ;-) Stephen

leiju (1683) 2006-05-26 6:20

What a lovely picture! A wonderful POV and composition! Too bad their chairs are almost exactly the same color as the floor... they kind of disappear into it.
And the one person appearance makes it even more wonderful! I'll have to go and check it out tomorrow (going to Münich for a couple of days :D)
Thanks for sharing!
Julia

cyrrhus (2878) 2006-05-26 6:22

Hi Alexander,
There you are ;-)
It is amazing how this kind of situation is inspiring (I shot one similar in Tuscany).
The title fits quite well and I am particularly sensible to the very systematic arrangment of the tables and umbrellas. The dark grey background is perfect for the scene.
However the sharpness is far from perfect and the overall illumination is quite dark and uneven.
Eric /.

ben4321 (9809) 2006-05-26 6:26

Excellent shot. Very well observed. I like how the colour of the man's shirt matches the umbrellas.
I can't really see how it could be improved, except for maybe waiting until the light was a bit stronger. It would have been good to see some nice long shadows. But I suppose when you see this kind of opportunity you just have to grab it.
Great work, I love it.

yanseiler (20) 2006-05-26 6:28

Hi Alexander, nice composition, I like those guys lost in the middle of something...
Kindly
Yan

Propofol (1786) 2006-05-26 6:32

This is such a clever photo! The color of the tablecloths contrasts well with the grey of the pavement and chairs. I agree with Russte - a bit of PP to the solitary man's shirt color would add some interest!

tjanze (5674) 2006-05-26 7:11

Hi Alexander!
Very good composition.I like repeated pattern through all photo.Nice motive.Colors,sharpness,angle of view..++
Regards!

nwoehnl (120) 2006-05-26 7:13

Excellent observation, Alexander - a compelling pattern with the rhythmic alignment of chairs and tables on top of the cobblestone pavement. Great to have the single customer included in the upper left area, and fun to see how many deviations can actually be found in this initially so orderly-looking arrangement :o) Well seen and captured, congratulations.

jasmis (51313) 2006-05-26 7:24

Fine idea to show this motive from superb perspective. One person adds some value to the shot. Really well done. Regards.

PixelTerror (87195) 2006-05-26 7:33

Hi Alexander,
This is german precision at its best, a superb capture with high graphical value, I appreciate as well the top positionning of the only customer in the frame, how lonely he must feel LOL, not even a beer to talk to ;-)
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

pastadog (12821) 2006-05-26 7:48

Hi Aleksander - superbly seen and captured, it makes an excellent graphical repetition arrangement, and certainly a very good message. 20 tables! And the thumbnail looks intriguing and spectacular too. Congratulations and TFS, Daniel

Galeota (10334) 2006-05-26 15:16

Pfff. Excellent, Alexander. Well seen, and of course revealing of a troubled mind (I mean, yours!). The repetitive motif works wonderfully in here.

kebek (5434) 2006-05-26 15:21

Serwus Alexander !
This is a photographic gem, no doubt.
Carefully thought out composition based on the repetitions with perfectly "placed" guest. I'm a bit surprised at the remarks about luminosity of the scene, because i find the play of light and shadows (maybe not long, but still !) quite charming and dynamic here and the loner is very properly lit.
Be well,
Mat

talatbay (2381) 2006-05-26 15:40

really excellent POV
TFS
regards
Talat

magdaj (1111) 2006-05-26 15:42

Hello Alexander:)
Very interesting composition:)
Nice view:)
Good colors:)
Regards & smile:)
Magda

Anna-- (7769) 2006-05-26 16:05

Beautiful graphic effect.
In my opinion also the client adds something to the photo... a break like a comma in a sentence.
Well done
Bye
Anna

mdetay (4362) 2006-05-27 2:52

Hi Alexander,
Nice shot. Good composition and framing. TFS. Cheers.
Michel

Angshu (34243) 2006-05-27 4:26

Hi Alexander
An extremely well conceived photo with repetative patterns formed by the tables & chairs. German precision..eh? Very strong graphicism & the contrast of the colours of the tables with the flooring is eye catching. Well seen & excellently captured!
Regards
Angshu

jinju (14265) 2006-05-27 8:36

Alexander,

this is an extremely well conceived photo. A bit confusing to work out at first but worth it the serious repetition of the tables and umbrellas lends a high graphic character here and you did well to build this compo on one figure placed off center. You were probably havinga great time, knowing this would come out so well.

smash2707 (2516) 2006-05-27 20:30

When I saw the thumbnail I was wondering what it was. Very good geometrical composition. Also nice colors. Well seen, Yvonne

Jeppe (18623) 2006-05-28 14:40

Hi Alexander - very excellent spotted and captured - I like the fine texture and the lone man as the extra important element.

Regards
Jeppe

donluicu (24001) 2006-05-28 15:00

Superb!
this is an excellent, and original framing..
i like it a lot..
did you wait a lot to catch this guy, alone?
bye

loic

MLINES (11064) 2006-05-28 15:36

Hi Alex, This is a very good composition with close to perfection organisation of the tables and umbrellas. It is good to capture the one man there for scale. Well seen and portrayed. Murray.

king (2602) 2006-05-29 11:18

Hello Alexander
Love this picture very much.
It's graphical and it obtains a story. What's his reason of being there alone?
Good captured.
Thanks for sharing,
Huub de K.

bantonbuju (48856) 2006-05-29 17:43

priviet alex, kak diela?
this is simply an intelligent work, and if i am to give my first critique to your works, this one is a proper choice i'd say;
this image proves that a skilled eye supported with a knowledge about the technique can result in miracles;
very very good!
best wishes, j.

devimeuxbe (56532) 2006-06-01 10:59

Hi Aleksander
This is really a great composition. Good POV, Good light and color, nice graphical effect, nice placement for the lonely man.
Very very well done
Bertrand

avigur_11 (21307) 2006-06-02 8:38

Ah, thanks for this great link, Alexander.
What a beautiful pattern, and it is very nice that there's nobody there, except this single man, who's probably waiting for someone?
Excellent shot, my friend.
Regards,
Itzik.

orin2099 (40) 2006-06-02 10:25 [Comment]

Show Comment

luluwi (224) 2006-06-20 6:13

Great POV! It seems a satellite's view, more than a bird's eye view! Well notice the ordered structure. What I like best are the colours. And the ground texture suit very well.

luisafonso (858) 2006-06-22 8:32

Yes, this is great! So graphic... Dots, loops and squares. I especially love the perfect composition on the floor. But the guy standing alone there really builds this picture to an extraordinary one. It balances and breaks the graphic labyrinth and adds a human touch to the whole scene. Brilliant Alexander!

ayobami (1343) 2006-08-12 14:39

I randomly came across this photo and just had to post to you for two reasons. The first being this is a spectacular image - I love the patterns and contrast of the colours: bright tablecloths against the grey colours surrounding them. The one person sitting there adds the perfect human element and creates a mood for the entire scene. Perfectly realised overall!

The second reason I must post is to tell you, if you have not seen it already, about the current photo competition with National Geographic - the theme this month being 'Around the table' - so of course I thought this would be the perfect entry, though you may need to hurry for the deadline! Hope you will look into it and if so, best of luck!

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/yourshot/

brevbrev14 (372) 2006-09-18 8:05

Hi Alexander!!fantastic graphic shot here!!!perfect your compo, great texture of the courtyard with the colours of the tables!Fantastic the only man!!
WOW, I LIKE IT A LOT!

CIao Alexander

Valeria

smarcell (14715) 2007-10-07 10:00

Great !! I could not understand what it was from the thumbnail.
A picture I would have like to take, really. Great pattern, and the subject there, is just perfect.
A very full smile !

Noar (57) 2007-10-07 10:39

hi,

very good shot with all the lines that structure the photo and the detail (the man) that brings a touch of disorder...

Really nice !

Regards Arnaud

magalik (1482) 2009-12-02 4:24

Wonderful shot Alexander !
Big luck to have only one person in this place !
It is undoubtedly a single shot !
Well seen and well done ! I like it very much !

Magali

CLODO (4741) 2009-12-02 7:27

What a graphism, Alexander!
We need to enlarge the thumbnail to understand your vision and discover the tourist waiting for the server. Great job! Nice patchwork with red napkins coming out of the B&W surrounding.
Congratulations
CLODO

xenia_p (57) 2009-12-14 12:50

Hello Alexander,

Excellent POV and very sharp colours! Especially for me it is interesting to see an alternative view of this square! With the ombrellas unopened the place looks totally different.
Thank you for making me notice it and congratulations for the great photo!

Greetings, Xenia