arm wrestling, a photo from London, England

Photographer's Note

Arm wrestling - an act of mind and strength.
A contest between two men in a pub, brawling with nothing better to prove bar a friendly outcome. Yet what is that?! An obstruction to the contest?!

Correction: Arm wrestling - an act of mind and strength and very cheeky tactics :-)

cagla, broglia, Glint, KevRyan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gabrielpat (7163) 2008-11-01 11:52

hi casper,
nice coice of B/W for this shot,very decisive moment!!!
regards,patrick.

cagla (4342) 2008-11-01 12:01

Hi Casper, Beautiful sharpness on hands, beautiful expressions on faces, thank you for sharing. Regards. Cagla.

BennyV (32570) 2008-11-01 12:39

Hi Casper,

This reminds me of old New York pictures, of Weegee stuff, don't know if you are familiar with his work, but that's a pretty big compliment. Very expressive stuff!

Benny

bantonbuju (51815) 2008-11-01 23:34

hi casper,

you are one of the very few photogs from the uk who dare photographing people... and i respect you for that!

this tight framing of the scene perfectly fits the subject - it somehow enhances the energy, power, strength, effort "uploaded" by the participants into the act of wrestling...
i just cannot figure out what that splash of something across the game, and why you decided to post a version with that "thing"...
bw, j.

broglia (3604) 2008-11-02 7:59

Hi Cas, this is really "in your face"! A quite a bizarre bit of arm wrestling going on. I can see three hands clasped and it looks as though the guy in the foreground is trying to throw salt into the eyes of the unseen third guy. Quite amazing how you caught the crystals just perfectly. I too must try and get more close up human content into my shots - Jerzy is right in what he says about the British - a little too reserved for our own good!

Fine piece of work, Roberto

faubry (35447) 2008-11-02 11:36

very good people photographie, i like this BW, i like thiprojection.. i like expressions from these men... great photo
thanks
francine

horatiuTT (4570) 2008-11-03 4:21

very strong photo here,nice scene with true
emotions,I like the framing but I would have prefer not the see that hand from the right bottom.Very interesting shot and moment.
Best thoughts,
Horatiu

Glint (6171) 2008-11-04 8:01

hello casper,
I have not been on site much lately and so have missed this. Love its close up immediacy. I love people pics, it is my favourite kind of photography. People are so fascinating. As a people watcher I get to do enjoy this activity on TE without ever having to undergo the embarrassment at being caught out staring.You did well to catch this decisive moment. You ask in your profile to tell you what we feel.Here, some sort of nostalgia, maybe its the b & W treatment that brings that feeling on or maybe my working class roots, who knows?
bev

KevRyan (22956) 2008-11-07 16:53

I love the intimacy of this contest of strength - and a nice conversion to B&W - not sure it would work half as good in colour with that strength of flash on the guy nearest - - good timing, decisive moment - very nice work!

bw Kev

noborders (1010) 2008-11-09 12:18

One can sense the harshness of the struggle and the game, it's a good B&W, the flash effect is excellent, in fact if I understand well there are 2 things happening simultaneously, beer spitting in between them ?

Well seen, you have quick reflexes !
Splendid,
Cath.

samson (2250) 2011-07-23 21:46

Hi Casper

After getting your critique and checking out your workshop of my photo, and looking through your picture gallery, I must say you do have a mastery of people photography and this is one area I can learn from you. Thanks for sharing and have a good summer

Best wishes from Malaysia
Sam