SMS..., a photo from Ile-de-France, North

Photographer's Note

In La Defense, Paris business area, urbanists are trying to bring some life and beauty to a world of concrete steel and glass... designer sitting spaces, statues and some garden spaces are there for working people to sit and have a break... But it still still remains quite impersonal, if you ask me!
In the workshop I posted a cropped version...

CliffW, tigra, xavshot, axiotea, Wanda1, alexisborel, danos, zig, Emile, bibiweb, kevinos, Photo65Net, noborders, josepmarin, bostankorkulugu, jhm, John_F_Kennedy, jlbrthnn, jlmf, Cricri, cuneyt-sb, Scharan, Muse, jafadabret, gary91, Tue, Didi, P-S-I-G, Pitoncle, paura has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CliffW (2381) 2007-07-13 20:10

I think, with the choice of statue they placed here, it may have made the place seem *more* impersonal! The severed head hardly speaks of warmth, in my opinion. BUT - you have done well to convey how impersonal the space is in a photo. This statue, the cold glass, steel and marble. Even the man's orientation shuts us out while he's immersed in modern remote communications.

I will say that I don't know if the upper 1/3 of the photo adds much to the scene. I'd recommend cropping at the top, to a point about where the top of the head of the statue would be, if the poor thing had gotten an entire head. It would help emphasize what's missing and how that contrasts with the man next to it.

tigra (2968) 2007-07-13 20:20

Hello Laurent
This man must be sitting there every day to complete the composition:)
Katia

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2007-07-13 20:50

You are absolutely right about La Défense being quite impersonal. Especially in a city like Paris, where the historical centre is full of life and very human. Your picture is a real testimony of that idea, with the single man concentrated on his mobile. Well done.
Antonio

xavshot (69835) 2007-07-13 22:59

Bonjour Laurent
jolie prise et belles teintes de l'ensemble. L'homme s'intègre bien au milieu des sculptures. J'aime bien cette photo
Bon week-end
Xavier

lestans (17258) 2007-07-13 23:20

Ciao Laurent!

mi piace la tua composizione : il giovane signore vestito elegantemente che manda sms sotto questa strana statua in questo strano posto!! E poi la statua sembrerebbe guardarlo..: ma non ha occhi, ha solo metà della faccia, e questo dà un senso strano all'immagine.
A me la Defense era piaciuta,ma forse può stancare chi ci va ogni giorno.

Ciao!!

Livia

Atousa (7131) 2007-07-13 23:28

ÙSalam Laurent,
Very interesting shot .
He seems to be another statue in the world of steel n glass who has completed the composition of your shot.
Very beautiful "Real" statue too with another steel one in his heart!
TFS,
Atousa

Wanda1 (15142) 2007-07-14 1:13

Hi Laurent,
I like the reflections in the hard impersonal buildings. There is a definite lonely feeling to the image, this man alone in a concrete world. Well seen.
Regards
Wanda

alexisborel (755) 2007-07-14 2:14

Magnifique composition entre ce lieu de détente ou s'exprime l'art et l'architecture en total paradoxe avec ce bussinessman qui n'a pas vraiment quitté sont travail; A moins qu'il soit en train de prevenir sa femme qu'il rentre plus tot, ou qu'il vient de quitter son travail pour s'installer à la campagne. Beaucoup de supposition possible. Félicitations

ndb1958 (9289) 2007-07-14 2:29

Nice shot, Laurent. I like that guy sitting there and looking for his own. The enviroment with the modern architecture and the statue around him is very attractive. Nice composition. Nino

feather (51130) 2007-07-14 3:56

I think the crop does work better. I had to press f11 to see this full version properly and agree the top doesn't add anything. However I like the little tableau you have captured, and the contrast of the real man lost in his business head, with this headless statue works well; maybe it's some kind of allegory. well spotted.
Kath

evanrizo (462) 2007-07-14 4:09

Salut Laurent,this is one of my favorites.
The composition is really excellent, it works great with the man sending SMS sitting there with this background, you show us here a modern life a lttle unusual from you showing us daily life scenes from Ost Countries.
TFS
Evan

danos (110407) 2007-07-14 4:51

Hello laurent,
very nice composition with the straight statue and the seating man that sending SMS.I don't know about sculpture but your capture works very well.A good perspective shot with the building in the background to close the scene.In my opinion the workshop is better than this one because of is missing the upper side of the building.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

zig (2456) 2007-07-14 6:08

Hi Laurent. Surely a unique capture of the concrete&steel deserted city. Horizental capture could have been better to my opinion. I like the ballance of the guy and the statue and the bricks. I don't knwo about the background, if it adds something to the photo. But I like how you inspired from the scenery and caught it in the frame.

axiotea (21651) 2007-07-14 8:32

Hé Lo
C'est vrai que c'est pas mon quartier favori et pourtant je trouve que tu as parfaitement réussi à tirer profit de cet endroit. La sculpture est bien positionnée et l'homme assis ajoute de la vie à cette scène avec à l'arrière plan les lignes du bâtiment créant un impact graphique.
ATDS
Marilyn

Emile (20352) 2007-07-14 14:02

Hola Laurent.
Excellent composition with the interesting sculpture and the man just unaware of what is going on around him and the modern architecture with a very good reflection. Good point of view.
Well done.
Best regards.

bibiweb (8) 2007-07-14 21:46

Salut Laurent,
C'est drôle, je suis passée à cet endroit 4 jours avant toi! ;o)
J'aime bien cette scène qui aurait aussi pu s'intituler "La solitude du businessman". Une scène qui aurait été encore surprenante il y a quelques années et qui maintenant devient banale. Les différents éléments forment un ensemble assez graphique et je suis assez d'accord pour le recadrage que tu proposes dans le WS.
Amicalement, Brigitte

Graal (103040) 2007-07-15 0:11

Bonjour Laurent,
good shot and reportage in one, interesting statue and place, fine vertical composition. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

atus (15878) 2007-07-15 0:38

Hello Laurent,
very well captured and nicely composed effective shot with this strange sculpture in the fg. At first sight, I also had to idea of a cropped version, in order to focus the attention on the main subjects. so welcome to the WS version.
Tfs and have a pleasant Sunday!
Attila

kevinos (7517) 2007-07-15 0:40

I remember La Defense from the 60's Laurent and we hated it then. This sculpture is actually rather nice and setting against the cold architecture is good. The figure of the buisness, however, perfectly posed to be almost a part of the sculpture, is the element that brings the image to life and make it engaging. Regrads kevin

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-07-15 1:05

Laurent,
Une très belle prise, superbement composée !
L'équilibre entre la vie, l'art et l'architecture ici synonyme de travail est très bon, tout ça raconte une histoire.
Très bien vu,
Bon dimanche,
JB.

Stepan (27210) 2007-07-15 1:07

C't'ambiance !!!
Une vision bien noire du monde des costumes... Et si on se dit que la statue, mutilée, en est l'expression, ce devient terrible ! Bouh...
Stéphane

dip (21408) 2007-07-15 9:44

Hi Laurent,
nice composition,good pov with interesting background.
Greetings.
Dimitris.

noborders (1010) 2007-07-15 10:07

Personnellement, je n'aime pas trop ce genre de statue, mais certainement c'est une superbe photo, très ludique avec toutes ces échelles différentes, aussi le sérieux du type que tu as photographié,
Bravo,
Cath.

josepmarin (59385) 2007-07-15 12:45

Bonsoir, Laurent,
bien vue cette scène curieuse, il y a un grand contraste graphique entre les édifices en cristal de l'arrière-plan, la sculpture moderne et l'homme assis dans un élément géométrique de marbre, en regardant ou en travaillant avec son PDA ou avec son téléphone cellulaire.
Bien faite.
Amicalement,
Josep

leo61 (0) 2007-07-15 12:52

Hi Laurent!
You are a good observer and managed a good streetlifeshot.He looks so lost in this big metropole with his mobilephone.Good POV and a interesting background for him.
Regards,Leo

chrisnet (23062) 2007-07-15 13:13

Salut Laurent,
Je préfère le recadrage proposé dans le WS, çà change des photos de l'Asie, en tout cas bon moment décisif capté.
Amitiés
Christian

vascao (192) 2007-07-15 13:25

Lovely shor, Laurent, could be in an advertisement. Wisely composed and very clear, I like it.
[]'s
Sergio

Budapestman (82620) 2007-07-15 14:08

Hi Laurent,
Great impression, I like the fantastic environment and the suggestive urban atmosphere. Composition is excellent, detais are spectacular and exciting. Great! Have a nice week
George

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2007-07-16 3:45

your model has become a part of this amazing artwork... really impressive composition laurent, congrats...

all the best

korkut

jhm (211734) 2007-07-16 3:46

Hello Laurent,

Maybe is the cropping something better, but I can absolutely your work follow, you chose for a nice reflection in the glass wall, this gives a nice composition. Excellent of quality and colours. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-07-17 3:07

Nice idea. Excellent capture. I like the light play. Nicely done.
Best wishes,
Achim

jlbrthnn (76043) 2007-07-17 8:36

Bonsoir Laurent,
Bravo pour cette image superbement composée, au graphisme original. Bon travail
Amicalement
Joël

Angshu (56760) 2007-07-17 20:49

Hi Laurent
I would go with the cropped version. But first I congratulate you on spotting the interesting photo opportunity here to translate the allegory into a photograph. Full marks for that!
Regards
Angshu

jlmf (968) 2007-07-18 2:34

Bonjour Laurent,
Drôle de sculture un peu "noir" sur la vie enfin c'est comme cela sue je le ressent. Sinon jolie photo bien cadrée sur le Monsieur qui utilise son G. Le tout mis dans un ensemble aux formes géométriques peu banale. Les couleurs sont bien rendues. Joli pov
Joss

Silvio1953 (220637) 2007-07-18 5:59

Hi Laurent, splendid composition with wonderful architecture, I like sitting man, very well done, ciao Silvio

Cricri (176) 2007-07-18 7:14

salut Laurent,
Une belle réalisation de l'art et du moderne, belle présence de ce monsieur en costume qui s'intégre bien dans le décord
amitié
cricri

cuneyt-sb (6576) 2007-07-19 5:26

Hi Laurent
Great compo my friend,
Very good POV and DOF i see here
TFS

Scharan (14144) 2007-07-19 19:24

Olá Laurent

Incrível composição você conseguiu...
Uma imagem excelente, muito criativa. Cores ótimas; o reflexo no prédio ficou bastante interessante.

Grande abraço e parabéns!
Veras.

Muse (35030) 2007-07-20 4:46

Bonjour Laurent,
C'est marrant les deux têtes dans la même direction.
Un être vivant et la végétation au milieu des buildings en verre et de cette statue.
Bien vu!
Amicalement,
Denise

gilou530 (34) 2007-07-21 7:30

salut laurent
voila un instantané bien vu, la position du SMSistes par rapport a la statue est impec ,le batiment avec les reflets a l'arriere donne une ambiance travail studieuse, avec une belle netteté
amitiés
gilbert

jafadabret (56501) 2007-07-21 9:55

Laurent j'ai un faible pour le WS qui y gagne en unité de valeurs et de lignes. J'aime ce genre de photos qui présentent une sculpture dans la vie quotidienne. On pourrait écrire une fable sur la vie moderne que la photo illustrerait.
Jacques

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2007-07-22 22:16

Hi laurent.

It's great to see Igor's work in Paris too. Excellent contrast of the sculpture and the man.

Well done!

RGs, Oscar

gary91 (15348) 2007-07-23 4:10

Bonjour Laurent,
Très belle composition où tu as magnifiquement utilisé les différents plans présents. La diagonale des 3 têtes est vraiment très bien vue, chapeau !
Bonne journée à toi.
Amicalement, Christian

Tue (91604) 2007-07-24 13:56

Hej Laurent,
What a fantastic picture! Very well seen! There are so many interesting elements. In the background the nice reflections, then the interesting artwork and in the foreground the man busy texting with his mobile. Great capture, very well done!
Regards,
Lars

PixelTerror (0) 2007-07-26 3:23

Salut Laurent,
ca change de ta galerie asiatique ca ! Un univers plutot etrange entoure ce gars mais bon quand on est concentre tout entier sur son portable on ne voit plus rien autour, et je suis sur qu'il a meme pas entendu l'obturateur du 400D !
Bonne illustration de l'univers urbain.
Bonne journee,
Jean-Yves

captainsgirl (3450) 2007-08-01 16:28

Hello Laurent,
that is a strange statue indeed, but the man seems to be comfortable enough even if hes sitting on a piece of marble. Hmmm interestnig view. TFS
Donna:o)

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-08-12 6:42

salut Laurent, i like the moment you have capured here...
it is a perfect frame of our days..
well composed and taken!
ciao!
Valeria

Standa (1877) 2007-08-19 23:38

Hi Laurent,
I like mix of cold modern architecture, sculture and man writing SMS. Good tints of grey. I like WS too.
Regards,
Stanislav

Didi (61589) 2007-08-21 3:52

Salut Laurent Un décort très bien planté avec un des points forts bien servis.
Le crop sur le WS ajoute un second point fort par le visage de la statue.
Cordialement.

P-S-I-G (25536) 2007-09-18 11:24

Salut Laurent,
Ah, j'aurais aimé l'avoir faite. Cet homme, il est comme associé à la statue. C'est une scène vraiment intéressante et bien prise. Une atmosphère hi-tech, froide et graphique et puis ce gars, en train de regarder ses messages ou d'en écrire un.
Amicalement,
Fabrice

Pitoncle (3745) 2007-11-16 5:52

Bonjour Laurent,
Je retrouve ta galerie avec plaisir et plus particulièrement cett originale publication. C'est très bien vu et très bien restitué.
A bien^tôt sur TE pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

paura (25802) 2008-02-10 9:53

Laurent,
Very crazy compo here, as a uncommon art in shapes. Is hardly to express in other language but it is "porreta!" :-)

Abraços

Paulo

Morac (27725) 2008-06-16 11:25

Bonsoir Laurent,

Ton"random photo" me fait découvrir ce soir cette photo alors qu'à mon tour je publie ce soir on post de de ce Grand Toscano.
Je vais donc aller faire un un lien vers celle-ci
Bonne soirée

Marc