Generation Gap, a photo from Zachodniopomorskie, West

Photographer's Note

An original note ( as it was in 2007)

Let's post some photos of 'MY' people..

Do you guys have the feeling that once you've captured someone's physique - that someone is yours from that moment on ?
You may not know her/his name - but the link is there.
And even after many years you might be able to say to yourself:
This is my favorite photo, or these are my favorite people, or this is my favorite place…

One click and the sparks of the tender memories are flying back !

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I will post some photographs of the people's faces…
Portraits ???
Oh, well… Portrait is a very strong word in the photography business. And, since it's over used and improperly used and seriously abused and quite frivolously attached to the myriads of the mediocre snapshots of the aunt Greta - I insist on the word 'photos' instead.

Somehow the word 'portrait' evokes those long photo sessions in the studio, endless trying and posing… Never had been good at it… I've tried, and no major, global success - so far :D)
I found much more of an excitement in catching those faces in their times, on their turfs, in their natural environment - as the free of charge, for one smile and the few kind words… And, (as a bonus) those faces are yours to keep - forever.
Add a bit of a classical touch and not a 'fancy- schmantzy - artzy- partzy' photography flavor to it and …Voile !

A bit boring, perhaps? Nevertheless … A piece of a photography that hardly exists anymore…

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Tour de La Paix 1979.
The biggest Eastern European cycling race - in sheer size it was comparable to the Tour de France, yet without its super-hyper international fame… For us, the tribes within the Iron Curtain - it was an incredible event, and the winners were our gods.

On the left… THE VETERAN…

They must be there ! At every major sport event… With their devoted forever hearts bigger than the planet earth..

On the right - The young and cocky one… With the sweet dreams of beating the living hell out of everyone else and finally wearing that yellow jersey…( Michal Klasa - CSSR (Czech Rep).
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Dedicate to Grazyna (NinaL), for…Well… For her class !

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With the bit of luck you may find your very own critique right here or even here...

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Vasylis, mark88, noborders, Clairedelune, ninaL, Dpbours, Floydian has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Vasylis (1414) 2009-04-10 15:48

Hi George

It's art not just photography .

Fantastic !!!

kdialyna (3148) 2009-04-11 9:47

I think the left one enjoys the all situation. The other one is full of stress.
Do you think this is an example of our time?
Excellent shot, mirrors all their feelings.
Once more a lesson of making portraits...with name.
Regards
Kostas

noborders (1010) 2009-04-11 13:38

... It's much easier when you copy the originally posted critiques and I'm afraid, my tastes have not changed, so I just copy the silly remark : "I admire the proud moustache of the elderly sportsman, although generally I prefer shaven faces" - question of time and fashion of course.

I like the contrast between the 2 expressions, some worries or mark of time on the forefront of the aged cyclist and a sort of grin showing the determination and the effort on the face of the younger one (who must be a veteran nowadays).

Great photography reportage, one of the most interesting genre of photos IMO, you are so good ! Bravo,

Cath.

Clairedelune (4923) 2009-04-11 18:21

Hello George!
OK. Photos. If you wish so. You see, I am still a baby in terms of photography. And I am the worse case of a student. I did not read about "photography", its glorious (or disgraceful?) history. I cannot say what a portrait is or not. What it should be or not. Since the beginning, I go with my guts feeling. Not always a wise adviser though... So, I cannot tell you that those portra... photos are classics or not.
The way you have combined the two photos is interesting. It looks like if they are looking at each other. The veteran in a caring like mode and the youngest one, with an air of confidence, like if he was saying "Oh yes! Don’t worry. I will beat them all." which he did not do though. I like especially the photo of the veteran, maybe for the feeling emanating from his face, his attitude. Might it comes with getting older to prefer wisdom and caring over determination and strong will? I wonder...

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Ok, that was my critique. Time has passed and I can say that I know now one thing or two about photography. I did some homework and begin to study the "classics". Still... so much things to learn. A never ending story...
I still prefer the "veteran" photo. Gosh... I wish to have such a photo in my portfolio...
Claire

ninaL (21348) 2009-04-12 0:14

Dla mnie ???
Klasa ???
No wiesz...cala w pasach jestem, tym bardziej, ze zadnego kolarza nie poderwalam ;).
Uwielbiam ten kolaz, jest doskonaly, wypieszczony w kazdym calu.
Twarze mocne, prawdziwe, glebokie.
Dziekuje bardzo. Grazka.

Dpbours (222) 2009-04-12 13:20

Yep, a great one in your old collection and a great one in your new one!

Dennis

Disabled_A (0) 2009-05-26 1:44

Hello George,
I thought I had commented on this photo several days earlier (but my memory failed me! or it was just a phantom?)
I think it is a great photo - one of your best (imho) - the "combined" one where you compare two generations. Such different people, different ages, different ambitions and, of course, goals in life. I especially like the photo of the guy on the right (though that half-cut face of the boy on the left looks a little disturbing).
Have a great day (evening?)!
:-)
Elena

Floydian (30970) 2009-05-29 1:38

I remember this one, the young strong guy on the right while the left one his days of cycling are almost over. The right one full with ambition, getting rich from cycling when he would have lived in the west those times, now only driving for pride and eternal fame and glory.....
That left guy seems a character from a movie, can't help it, but have to smile about him...so nice to see the contrast between both of them...

H