Boulder Street Performers: Light My Fire, a photo from Colorado, West

Photographer's Note

The first in another short series, this one on the street performers of Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder is a city of just under 100,000. A college town (The University of Colorado's main campus is located there), Boulder has a reputation as a liberal haven and a more artsy, hippie town; the reputation is well deserved.

We visited on a Saturday night so that we could see the famous Pearl Street Mall pedestrian zone at full capacity. In the heart of Boulder's downtown, Pearl Street is closed to vehicle traffic for four or five city blocks, and has been turned into a space for sculpture and art, shops and stores, and plenty of street performers of many different types.

The performer pictured had one of the odder talents on the street: he played piano while lying backwards and motionless on the large rock behind him. He clearly had a full act built around this, and was quite good at it (as evidenced by the very large and full tip jar in front of him). At a certain point in his act, he asked the crowd for a cigarette; this couple provided one, and the woman lit it for him as he continued to play.

holmertz, bukitgolfb301, bukitgolfb301, tyro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102834) 2012-09-09 7:26

Hello Andrew,
This is truly weird. Just imagine what people can do to earn a living. I am so pleased to have been an ordinary, boring journalist ;-).
But you show us one of the most unusual and funny pictures of the day. It is a lively and interesting composition and the weak evening light is very well used. The surroundings are visible enough to provide a good atmosphere.
Best regards,
Gert

wolf38 (30) 2012-09-09 8:03

Hi Andrew. At night, everything is completely different. Who then photographed, needs some knowledge about the proper handling of the camera. Here you have an original scene photographed. The photo looks casual and natural. And, - you have pressed the shutter at the right moment on the camera. Best regards, wolfgang.

mjw364 (1466) 2012-09-09 11:54

Andrew

Speaking of low light situations that you turn to your advantage...

This is one laid back musician... what was he smoking?! Looks like a very Californian scene to me...

Nice moment captured, the white balance which creates the hue gives it a nice warm feel not just in terms of the colour tones but also because it feels like a warm summer's evening.

The Doors, Light My Fire reference... also covered by Jose Feliciano a blind guitarist... this guy by lying down, in effect plays blind... Jim Morrison spent most of his time flat on his back for a variety of reasons too... interesting!

"The time to hesitate is through..." - time to press the shutter... "try now we can only lose..." but this shot is a winner - lit my fire!

TFS

Mike

[workshop] [compare]

rbellemare (2109) 2012-09-09 15:54

Hello Andrew,

Interesting picture of this lay back street performer. You clearly master the night photography technique. Nice composition.

Bravo.

Réjean

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2012-09-10 3:49

Hi dear Andrew

Ya another great shot! Seeming happiness of young adult, I cannnot help feeling jelousy against thier youth. You get very good atmosphere to get daylight smoothly. Thanks for your shring with great posting and have a good day!

Takero from Tokyo

marabu61 (11587) 2012-09-10 13:58

Hello Andrew
back from my weekend hike ...
Very well seen street scene and superbly executed. This has been taken at exactly the right moment and it makes a great little scene.
have a great week
Daniel

tyro (30513) 2012-09-10 15:56

Hello Andrew,

What a fabulous photograph! You did very well to capture this one considering the rather poor lighting but you've come away with a stunner.

It's all a bit surreal really - the guy playing his piano one-handed while he reclines on a rock and has a lovely girl light his cigarette while her boyfriend looks nonchalantly on - all just a bit weird. But great!

Despite the poor light, this is a wonderful picture - your exposure is spot-on, the colours are excellent and the details and sharpness are smashing.

Fabulous!

Kind Regards,

John.