Disdain, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

Noun--Disdain (dis'dayn)
1. Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
2. A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

Verb--Disdain (dis'dayn)
1. Look down on with disdain
2. Reject with contempt

Which was exactly what I felt coming from these gentleman when I took this photo. Though a moment later the man on the right hand side smiled at me and we exchanged greetings. Then I moved on.

I shot this off the hip, and I don't think they even knew they were photographed. Something that works well in most candid situations as I doubt I would have been able to capture such a moment if I tried to shoot this in any other way.

I think the cockeyed look of the photo adds to the overall feeling of the photograph and adds to the intense feeling I got when I shot this.

Post image processing was rather straight forward. Using the monochrome radio button in the channel mixer in Photoshop, simply playing with the sliders to get it to look right, then used the unsharp mask a tad and this is the result. I don't even think I cropped, if I did, it was minor.

Peace
Jim Mountford

Isabelle, zapady has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

zeidan (73) 2004-03-07 18:31

i like this one ...it makes fell like it's a part from a movie ..and the angel addes alot.

sita4ram (814) 2004-03-08 13:22

I love your shots. really well done! I have gone through them (thumbnails - and wish you have plsted more! ) Im going to keep updated with your work.
amazing shot - great atmophere and composition - and from the hip? are you a magician?

freddd (435) 2004-03-08 14:19

Very intense feeling you got here. Are you alright? It really seems they gonna smash you. Well not that much but definitely a good photo of a disdain going on, witch is rare in daily life pictures,and very well captured here.

Cat (0) 2004-03-08 16:07

You have quite a style all your own. Very intriguing work that you do. Fabulous shot.

sunny (3069) 2004-03-08 16:26

Incredible shot! B&W works perfectly to increase the tension of the captured looks on their faces! First I was amazed how is it possible to shoot from hip, but then read your Intro...you have experience ;-)...and a lot of style. The way you wrote the notes is strong and I call it "added value". Perfect job!

mdchachi (1612) 2004-03-10 9:38

I'd prefer that the guy on the left wasn't cut in half and the quarter-head behind the guy on the right wasn't there, but for a shot from the hip it's an excellent shot. I love how you captured the "who the hell are you?" look on all three faces.