Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: stamper on February 09, 2014, 06:36:29 am

Title: Shadowland
Post by: stamper on February 09, 2014, 06:36:29 am
Is it Street?
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: RSL on February 09, 2014, 07:38:18 am
No, because it lacks a story and it lacks ambiguity, but it's a very good photograph nonetheless. In a weird way it reminds me of Paul Strand's "Wall Street."
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: petermfiore on February 09, 2014, 09:02:47 am
However, it is very much a Street.
Well done..

Peter
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on February 09, 2014, 09:06:38 am
I defer to the experts on definitions, but I agree that it is a fine photo.
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on February 09, 2014, 10:07:12 am
I like it, but also wouldn't place it into the street genre.
That doesn't change that it is a good photo and worth to be taken and printed.

It reminds me of a photo I took in Mallorca in December.
I hope its okay to post it here - it sure is in Shadowlands as well.
I find your version of the type of situation graphically stronger and simpler - my version is
more about street life atmosphere, though still not street photography in the strict sense.
For me its all about the glaring light and people walking in it.
Cheers
~Chris

Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: David Eckels on February 09, 2014, 10:38:16 am
Robert, love it! To me, you've captured an example of the essence of B/W photography is about.
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: RSL on February 09, 2014, 02:23:53 pm
The Mallorca picture is interesting, Chris, but is that Clark Kent in that phone booth back there?
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on February 09, 2014, 02:52:56 pm
The Mallorca picture is interesting, Chris, but is that Clark Kent in that phone booth back there?

LOL - its a billboard ...
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: stamper on February 10, 2014, 04:02:28 am
No, because it lacks a story and it lacks ambiguity, but it's a very good photograph nonetheless. In a weird way it reminds me of Paul Strand's "Wall Street."

Russ I think there is a "story" there, albeit a small one. The two shadows on the right where their hands touch is what attracted me to the image. I find your definition of Street interesting and if it can be found - story & ambiguity - then it is worthwhile. However I find from reading books and looking at internet sites most photographers don't pay lip service to your ideal. Thanks.
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: stamper on February 10, 2014, 04:08:13 am
I like it, but also wouldn't place it into the street genre.
That doesn't change that it is a good photo and worth to be taken and printed.

It reminds me of a photo I took in Mallorca in December.
I hope its okay to post it here - it sure is in Shadowlands as well.
I find your version of the type of situation graphically stronger and simpler - my version is
more about street life atmosphere, though still not street photography in the strict sense.
For me its all about the glaring light and people walking in it.
Cheers
~Chris

If your image had been taken by myself then I would have cropped just above the car to focus attention on the figures which imo makes the image stonger. The image I posted was cropped to remove litter bins and lamp-posts. At the end of the day it is subjective? :)

Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: Jim Pascoe on February 10, 2014, 04:59:21 am
Russ I think there is a "story" there, albeit a small one. The two shadows on the right where their hands touch is what attracted me to the image. I find your definition of Street interesting and if it can be found - story & ambiguity - then it is worthwhile. However I find from reading books and looking at internet sites most photographers don't pay lip service to your ideal. Thanks.

Then it might be worth cropping the woman from the left of the picture and bringing us more into the hand-holding element.

Jim
Title: Re: Shadowland
Post by: brandtb on February 10, 2014, 05:10:42 am
nice image, especially the little bit of rim light on some of the figures