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Author Topic: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.  (Read 14081 times)

Rob C

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Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« on: August 05, 2018, 08:21:25 am »

"The idea for the thread - discussed with Rob - was to create an open thread inviting contributors to share what they consider to be their favourite shot and also share the thinking behind their choice. The obvious problem is it would be limited to one shot per contributor and it's not beyond imagination that many would fear being called out on their choice. Perhaps it'll work, perhaps not, we'll see." ... Keith Laban.

Quite a tough one to call, but for what it's worth, here's mine, strictly within the bounds of the calendar genre; different genres, different pictures.

Why do I pick this one out, then?

First of all, it represents the fulfilling of a dream: shooting a calendar to my own design in the Bahamas. The early Pirelli cals with Francis Giacobetti were shot in the Bahamas and in Jamaica; I felt no desire for Jamaica, but I certainly did for the Bahamas. So, getting there was a big deal for me.

I came to calendars from fashion, and had the fashion industry in 70s Scotland been more robust, I would probably still have been there today. As it turned out, things were not great, most of the shrinking work going south to London, leaving me like an iceberg looking for a ship. Stock still made a lot of sense, so off we went to settle in the Mediterranean.

Anyway, I never liked porn and thought the people doing it were not only ruining the lives of men and women in the industry, but also of those exposed to such crap. Inevitably, the baggage that came with me to calendars precluded my getting my fingers dirty. On top of that, the very love of women/femininity that made me get into fashion was going to be carried forward into anything else I did with models.

The shot I post here, for me, marries femininity, fashion, travel and what the French call charme. It reveals my lack of love for complicated lighting.

It also shows the appeal of Kodachrome.

There you are then: the naked photographer.




« Last Edit: August 05, 2018, 10:28:28 am by Rob C »
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KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2018, 08:34:33 am »

Rob, wonderful! Model, location and light are just perfect and perfectly captured. Very much of the period and yet somehow timeless. Great choice.

Rob C

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2018, 08:46:08 am »

Rob, wonderful! Model, location and light are just perfect and perfectly captured. Very much of the period and yet somehow timeless. Great choice.

Thank you!

:-)

KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2018, 09:04:34 am »

The idea for the thread - discussed with Rob - was to create an open thread inviting contributors to share what they consider to be their favourite shot and also share the thinking behind their choice. The obvious problem is it would be limited to one shot per contributor and it's not beyond imagination that many would fear being called out on their choice. Perhaps it'll work, perhaps not, we'll see.

As mentioned in the other thread I find repeated viewing a harsh critic. I tend to home in on shortcomings rather than strengths; galling but perhaps ultimately beneficial?

Strange, but my own choice is in many ways atypical of much of my other work and is chosen because for me at least it stands repeated viewing better than most if not all others. If I have any concern it is that it's a recent shot. Will it stand the test of time, my test of time, well, who knows?

A grab shot, but one that conversely required patience and stealth so that the subject remained unaware of my presence and intentions.

« Last Edit: August 05, 2018, 10:57:45 am by KLaban »
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KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2018, 09:09:47 am »

An afterthought, but would this thread be better served in the User Critiques section?

RSL

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2018, 09:54:56 am »

Looking at what you two guys have posted, I'm glad this isn't a competition. Rob captured the real essence of femininity and Keith captured a mood I can't even describe in words.

I look at my collection of street shots and find that I'm in love with a lot of the pictures there. Generally speaking the B&W grabs me more than the color. But this one keeps jumping out at me.

This kid never knew I was there. The picture's not cropped. I was able to walk fairly close without disturbing her (or possibly him). I have no idea what she was doing. It was pretty obvious that somebody else had drawn the original circles. It requires a compass to draw them that perfectly. But this kid was filling in what dreams in her head were telling her. I wish I could have tapped her thoughts.
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Rob C

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2018, 10:26:49 am »

An afterthought, but would this thread be better served in the User Critiques section?

Yes, I thought of that too, but too late!

Maybe the management can switch for us?

The only problem I have with using the Critique thread is that it may lead to the very things that the Without P. thread was designed to avoid... That could clash badly with this new concept and possibly hinder people from posting.

That said, my using the CC won't necessarily avoid that happening either!

RSL

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2018, 10:30:34 am »

There's no way to avoid it, Rob, as you well know. But I'm inclined to think the thread ought to stay in the CC for the very reasons you listed.
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Rob C

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2018, 10:33:23 am »

The idea for the thread - discussed with Rob - was to create an open thread inviting contributors to share what they consider to be their favourite shot and also share the thinking behind their choice. The obvious problem is it would be limited to one shot per contributor and it's not beyond imagination that many would fear being called out on their choice. Perhaps it'll work, perhaps not, we'll see.

As mentioned in the other thread I find repeated viewing a harsh critic. I tend to home in on shortcomings rather than strengths; galling but perhaps ultimately beneficial?

Strange, but my own choice is in many ways is atypical of much of my other work and is chosen because for me at least it stands repeated viewing better than most if not all others. If I have any concern it is that it's a recent shot. Will it stand the test of time, my test of time, well, who knows?

A grab shot, but one that conversely required patience and stealth so that the subject remained unaware of my presence and intentions.



Grab shot or otherwise, it's one in a zillion. I'm sure that if you were still interested, it could turn into the ticket for a lot more trips! Retired does not have to mean dead, and anyway, we don't really retire, we go into holding pattern.

;-)

Slobodan Blagojevic

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2018, 10:42:54 am »

... But this one keeps jumping out at me...

When I think of Russ and street photography, that is the one that comes to mind.

Rob C

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2018, 10:47:14 am »

Looking at what you two guys have posted, I'm glad this isn't a competition. Rob captured the real essence of femininity and Keith captured a mood I can't even describe in words.

I look at my collection of street shots and find that I'm in love with a lot of the pictures there. Generally speaking the B&W grabs me more than the color. But this one keeps jumping out at me.

This kid never knew I was there. The picture's not cropped. I was able to walk fairly close without disturbing her (or possibly him). I have no idea what she was doing. It was pretty obvious that somebody else had drawn the original circles. It requires a compass to draw them that perfectly. But this kid was filling in what dreams in her head were telling her. I wish I could have tapped her thoughts.

A delightful shot of absolute, undiverted self-absorption. Or of an infinite inner sadness.

Gender. As you mentioned it, I came to realise that therein lay yet another layer of ambiguity.

The hair makes me think male; the feet look kinda tough too, and the shorts too long for a girl's pride. But, nevertheless, despite the possible evidence to the opposite, I still get the general impression of female.

That's what I think makes street work.
« Last Edit: August 05, 2018, 10:51:35 am by Rob C »
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KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2018, 10:54:46 am »

With the thoughts of Rob and Russ in mind then perhaps on balance the thread is probably best left where it is.

Russ I believe the possible androgyny in your shot only adds to the sense of mystery*. In this case perhaps it's better not knowing those thoughts.

Rob, as you well know a creative never retires. In my case it allows me to do what I want to do, when I want to do it and on my terms.

*I see Rob beat me to it.

Alan Goldhammer

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #12 on: August 05, 2018, 11:37:48 am »

This street shot is of a static set of elements, locks on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris.  It was taken five days before all the locks were removed as their total weight was compromising the structure of the bridge.  Several years before we were on holiday in Berlin and staying on the Wilhelmstrasse right near the River Spee.  I was out walking around and as I crossed the bridge I saw a set of small locks on that bridge.  It puzzled me as I thought that they might be to secure bicycles but why would the locks be left behind?  It was not until we returned home that I read a story in the Washington Post describing the practice of young lovers placing padlocks on bridges as a seal of commitment. The practice stems from a book by the Italian author Federico Moccia, "Ho Voglia di Te" (I Want You) and it has moved beyond bridges in Italy to other European cities.  In all of our Euro travels we never saw as many locks as those on Parisian bridges.
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Rob C

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #13 on: August 05, 2018, 12:31:12 pm »

This street shot is of a static set of elements, locks on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris.  It was taken five days before all the locks were removed as their total weight was compromising the structure of the bridge.  Several years before we were on holiday in Berlin and staying on the Wilhelmstrasse right near the River Spee.  I was out walking around and as I crossed the bridge I saw a set of small locks on that bridge.  It puzzled me as I thought that they might be to secure bicycles but why would the locks be left behind?  It was not until we returned home that I read a story in the Washington Post describing the practice of young lovers placing padlocks on bridges as a seal of commitment. The practice stems from a book by the Italian author Federico Moccia, "Ho Voglia di Te" (I Want You) and it has moved beyond bridges in Italy to other European cities.  In all of our Euro travels we never saw as many locks as those on Parisian bridges.


Me2 stretches way back!

Fortunately, local bridges here have sides made from stone or concrete, or have no sides at all; not much scope for locks, then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFeftQkqg-M

Prefer meeting her on some bridge - at least when we were both young(er) - instead of a padlock.

;-)

« Last Edit: August 05, 2018, 12:54:59 pm by Rob C »
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32BT

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #14 on: August 05, 2018, 01:09:45 pm »

Quintessential shots...
Your very best shots with a bit of background.

We should be very clear about comments because some here believe that praise is a form of critique as well. In that case "no critique" also implies "no praise".

I can see how Rob's image is quintessential in a lot of ways (also considering some of his other rants all over the forum).

I would like to know a bit more background from Keith about his chosen image. He merely describes his assessment method, which apparently didn't even apply for this image.

Similarly Alan's explanation doesn't tell me why he believes his image to be his best of the best?

Please consider the above mere curiosity, certainly not critique.
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KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #15 on: August 05, 2018, 01:49:32 pm »

Quintessential shots...
Your very best shots with a bit of background.

We should be very clear about comments because some here believe that praise is a form of critique as well. In that case "no critique" also implies "no praise".

I can see how Rob's image is quintessential in a lot of ways (also considering some of his other rants all over the forum).

I would like to know a bit more background from Keith about his chosen image. He merely describes his assessment method, which apparently didn't even apply for this image.

Similarly Alan's explanation doesn't tell me why he believes his image to be his best of the best?

Please consider the above mere curiosity, certainly not critique.

I've made no comments or stipulations about comments. As far as I'm concerned I'm happy for folk to react to the images as they please. Also, as far as I'm concerned, if anyone wants to update their favourite over the course of time then I'd find that acceptable. Obviously I can't speak for Rob.

My assessment method very much applies to the image I posted, i.e. the test of repeated viewing.

Background to the image...a grab shot in a museum in Jodhpur, India, with a constant throughput of punters. As soon as I saw the scene I just knew I had to capture it: one just knows. How, well if I knew that I'd do it all the time ;-) I spent 20 minutes in the background waiting for the subject to get off her phone, for the hoards to clear, to stop taking selfies and for the subject to settle into a pose that I felt was appropriate.

Why do I think it's my best of the best, well, simply put I feel I couldn't have improved on the scene even if I had created it from scratch as a set, the subject, the geometry, the tone and colour, all came together, and also because unlike virtually every other shot I've ever made, and even with hindsight, I wouldn't have shot it in any other way.
« Last Edit: August 05, 2018, 02:09:13 pm by KLaban »
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Jeremy Roussak

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #16 on: August 05, 2018, 01:50:11 pm »

An afterthought, but would this thread be better served in the User Critiques section?

Yes, I thought of that too, but too late!

Maybe the management can switch for us?

It's not too late: I can move it if you like. It's your thread by origination, so your call. Ask, and I shall obey.*

Jeremy

* But don't imagine I'll make a habit of that  ;)
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KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #17 on: August 05, 2018, 02:07:12 pm »

Yes, I thought of that too, but too late!

Maybe the management can switch for us?


It's not too late: I can move it if you like. It's your thread by origination, so your call. Ask, and I shall obey.*

Jeremy

* But don't imagine I'll make a habit of that  ;)

Jeremy, thanks. I'm happy to keep it here but as the thread is in Rob's name I'll leave the final say to him.

32BT

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #18 on: August 05, 2018, 02:21:58 pm »

Why do I think it's my best of the best, well, simply put I feel I couldn't have improved on the scene even if I had created it from scratch as a set, the subject, the geometry, the tone and colour, all came together, and also because unlike virtually every other shot I've ever made, and even with hindsight, I wouldn't have shot it in any other way.

Okay, thanks for elaborating. As i already mentioned in another thread this image transcends itself in a way that i'm still trying to comprehend or explicate (at least to myself). It's an image that i have thought about several times since seeing it, so apparently it is able to make a lasting impression. (Neither praise nor critique: an attempt at matter-of-fact).
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KLaban

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Re: Give us your best shots! A suggestion from Keith.
« Reply #19 on: August 05, 2018, 02:33:22 pm »

Okay, thanks for elaborating. As i already mentioned in another thread this image transcends itself in a way that i'm still trying to comprehend or explicate (at least to myself). It's an image that i have thought about several times since seeing it, so apparently it is able to make a lasting impression. (Neither praise nor critique: an attempt at matter-of-fact).

As I've already hinted, you're not alone.

;-)
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