live and let die

[JonMikal]

i can't recall if i previously posted this one. if so, please forgive. this was shot in NYC this past spring.

[Pol]

Re: live and let die

I hardly know where to start commenting on this one! I've been looking at it for the past 20-30 minutes and the message hits home harder and more harshly the longer I look at it.

At first I wondered, hoped, he might just be stretching out on his lunchbreak, perhaps her companion .... but the dirt on the seat of his pants indicates the truth of his sad situation.

The starkness of the bare trees and cold stone wall adds to the cold, lonely situation of the man, presumably homeless. Methinks the only warmth in this scene is in her cup and her stomach and the only crumbs that are shared are for the birds.

Unimportant in the grand scheme of life. He's almost invisible, merges into the background, not even worthy of place on a park bench. Alone and insignificant - rejected and abandoned garbage on a wall. Less worthy of a few crumbs than the pigeons on the ground.

She's not afraid of him, not afraid to sit so close. I can't help asking myself what I might have done in her position. That which I'd like to think I might have done is regrettably not what I probably would have done.


Pol

[lumix]

Re: live and let die

I think Pol has summed this image up very well and agree with all she has said. For me the use of B&W has added to the feeling of this picture. It's a picture that holds your attention and makes you explore it in fall. Framed and hung in a gallery it would draw a lot of interest.

[Pops]

Re: live and let die

The guy sleeping it off may be an important part of this photograph to some but i confess to not giving him more than a glance.
The starkness of the tree's do it for me. Spaced out to allow full scrutiny of each one and yet an impression of closeness.
I wish that light standard wasn't in the frame though, to harsh a contrast against the tree's for me.

[Stephen]

Re: live and let die

The guy sleeping it off may be an important part of this photograph to some but i confess to not giving him more than a glance.
The starkness of the tree's do it for me. Spaced out to allow full scrutiny of each one and yet an impression of closeness.
I wish that light standard wasn't in the frame though, to harsh a contrast against the tree's for me.

I think that was part of the point Pol was making Pops, the fact that he was blending into the background almost unseen and insignificant

[Ian]

Re: live and let die

The juxtaposition of the two figures and their contrasting fortunes is the whole story of the composition. I, personally, think the down and out is absolutely as important as the girl eating her snack. Neither would be anything without the other and take them away and the picture becomes quite ordinary, no matter how well the mono is done.

Ian

[Pops]

Re: live and let die

I guess we all put a different interpretation on what we see in a photograph. (which has got to be a good thing) While the girl added to the photograph the tree's were the photograph to my eyes.

[coupekid]

Re: live and let die

i can't recall if i previously posted this one. if so, please forgive. this was shot in NYC this past spring.

WOW, what a powerful image. Kind of makes me feel a little guilty for what I have.

To me, the figures in the picture are everything, and clearly both people are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Smashing shot, even if you have previously posted, it was worth seeing again.

Cheers,
Ben

[Pol]

Re: live and let die

I guess we all put a different interpretation on what we see in a photograph. (which has got to be a good thing) While the girl added to the photograph the tree's were the photograph to my eyes.

Looking at it in another way - the trees represent a Jungle, an Urban Jungle. The story suggests survival of the fittest, as in any other sort of jungle.

A documentary/journalist style image as opposed to primarily aiming for something beautiful or artistic. I take the view that good, honest and well recorded photo journalism is an art and very worthy talent in itself. Also an important archive, a record of our times for the furture generations.

Pol

[JonMikal]

Re: live and let die

i love how you guys 'see' this one. thank you for taking the time to comment as always...means a lot!

Pol, i think i'll have you intro my work in the future. i always struggle with the words and end but thinking 'what the heck, i'll just post and see where it goes'.

thank you.

[Pol]

Re: live and let die

Pol, i think i'll have you intro my work in the future.

Only if you promise I can wear a paper bag over my head for our publicity photoshoot 'cos I can't compete with Miss Florida, Mexico or Carolina!

Pol