The Neighbourhood Photo

Photographer’s Note

I have mixed feelings about my neighbourhood. Sometimes its ugliness oppresses and/or depresses me. But then, other times, I am delighted and enchanted by its stopped-in-time qualities -- these storefronts that haven't changed in forty, fifty years. (Sanitized Shorts, says the display case to the right. Why can't we get those any more?) There is no Starbucks for blocks and blocks -- a unique pleasure. As the The Kid from Brooklyn says, "Stick it up your a**, Starbucks!" (I had to clean it up for Trekearth. If you want an opinion scoured of all politesse and liberally salted with swears, check out the link. Not for the faint of heart, or those who dislike yelling. I can only stand the guy for a minute at the most.)

And here, to the left, is our own "kid." A nicer man by far, he was very curious about my camera and told me he used to develop his own film. And then the streetcar came (we were waiting at the stop) and we both got on and sat in separate seats and were strangers again.

(Yes, I know, barrel distortion. My correcting plug-in isn't installed in this computer.)

Clairedelune, AnimeshRay, padeg, kajspice has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dopiro (830) 2006-07-23 22:25

Nice photo to come home to. I share what you mention in the note. Did not link to 'the kid ..' though. Maybe tomorrow, Have a nice week.

Clairedelune (4885) 2006-07-23 22:40

Lisan!
Oh my God! "Your" big man is quite a character! :D A bit difficult to understand for a French speaking girl, though!
I like your picture. Because I like those kinds of quasi abandoned places. Though I will agree, at times, it could also be depressing. Even if I like this old window, the display, the paint that is peeling off, what I prefer is this man. Without it, I would not have left a trace here! Now, everything is alive! Thanks for that street photo!
Barrel distortion? Yes. So what?
Claire

seanxwang (119) 2006-07-23 23:12

Nice shot with depressing atmosphere, ain't it what we are expecting? yes it is... the reflection in the glass of the storefront actually could be reduced a bit if you apply the CPL. I can see you in the reflection shooting yourself in front of the storefront.. just forget the "barrel distortion"..it may give us a big surprise sometimes.
Regard
Sean

AnimeshRay (8886) 2006-07-23 23:49

This is great, Lisan...your feeling for your neighborhood shows...good balance and framing, wonderful color. Love it. (What barrel distortion!!)

Furachan (0) 2006-07-24 0:15

Beautifully evocative shot, Pup-kun, in Hopper teritory I should say. The guy alone with that mug, those shades and probably tinted mustache, is worth the price of admission. In combination with your superb, bittersweet note, this one'S a killer.
KEEP POSTING, man, I implore you (seriously!)
Mata,
Francis

rosiegirl (2042) 2006-07-24 0:29

That’s absolutely wondiferously wonderful. Its kind of something we all know we've seen, but done so perfectly and richly textured. I bet you were happy when you snapped this one- I know I would just get that feeling like "Yes! I didn't waist my time hauling this camera around with me." Great job- I love it.

Rosie

Polonaise (5638) 2006-07-24 0:46

You definitevely know what to do Lisan, with that funny thing hanging down from your neck, don't you?
Killer scene man, with all the attributes in place.
Abandoned place, moustache Pete, and the colors. Weird ones, like this whole neighborhood of Toronto itself.
Those things above and a note with The Kid from Brooklyn - and here it is…Gutsy stuff, for photographers with the balls.
Keep sniffing pal, keep sniffing...
George

padeg (423) 2006-07-24 2:30

An image with an ambiance, an image that is a story in itself, that tells about the past, about present too.
In short, an image that has something to say, I like very much that kind of work.
You "kid" looks perfect in that environment.
Good eye !
Pascal.

tjanze (5674) 2006-07-24 3:38

Hi Lisan!
Great motive and compopsition.I like position of man just on left corner.
He looks like All Capone and I didnt mean something bad.
Regards!

ALSOM (6616) 2006-07-24 9:20

I think difficult to shoot our own neighbourhood, things are usually too familiar to reveal elements that could be special. Not an easy task.

I think you managed to render well the mood here. This usual 'suspect' really make the photo for me, his black glasses, his attitude and his match well with the enviroment colors and mood wise.

That's too bad we see you in the reflexion ;o)
Thanks, Alain -

maciekda (19599) 2006-07-24 14:40

it is a very nice image Lisan, the mood here is great - a strange character, rundown building, without your reflection in the window it would look like a scene from 50s ;) good stuff, more street photography please. maybe you could shouw us Polish district in Toronto as well

Luko (13902) 2006-07-24 18:33

Phewww.. after the emerald green of Rarotonga and Aitutaki lagoon, here's another shade of green, taken from the underworld... where's the third world?

Amazing mood you encapsulated in this picture, better not open the lid however : everything feels dusty and smells like rotten, except perhaps a cheap cologne scent from the TO kid on his horseraces-gotta-comb day.

Did he hiss you either for a winner in the fourth race or some X rated pics (preferably with animals)?

markoci (3917) 2006-07-24 19:29

well thank you for that time travel and introducing me to the kid :-).. no thanks for the surge of home sickness though... i've always wanted to live downtown (once came this close to buying a condo near st lawrence market but then somehow ended up in a semi in the suburbs.. of course, i had to run..) perhaps if i did i would have never left... a classic and timeless photo indeed, just the reflection of the minivan to give it away..

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2006-08-05 19:52

quite a nice looking neighbourhood if ya ask me! Except for the slight tilt on the cam (resulting in the distortion) very nice. love the muted colours and rundown textures.

Cheers,

af

p.s. how you kids doing?

bishansamaddar (868) 2006-08-24 4:52

hey...
i really like this shot. it's a great mood-creator. the colours are just superb, and the presence of the man on the left makes it emotionally appealing as well. great composition.
bishan.

m_s_s (1649) 2006-10-19 12:18

Nice and simple composition Lisan,
by placing this man near shop - not regular one, but 'ancient' you managed to get great shot. i like the brown colours and expression of this guy. excellent.
well done
regards