Rough picture to take

[clkgtr37]

I have only been shooting pictures for about 4 years now, and I must say that this was one of my rougher pictures to take. I would appreciate any comments on it, whether they be about the subject or astetics.
Thank You

http://www.pbase.com/image/1297243/large

[oops]

Subject: Powerful. Hard to witness. Thanks for sharing.

Ascetics: Black & white was a good choice for this. With color you would have needed to rely on values or hues to draw the viewer to the main subject. The truck in the background may have been bright red (I don't think it was) and your subject would have been lost in the perspective. As it is,with black and white, only shades from black to white really matter. The subject and the trash can are both within the white/gray range and my attention went to the main subject with no problem. You could have framed/cropped some of the foreground right up to his/her feet and not lost a thing from this image.

Conclusion: Great shot. You did the best anyone could.

Personal: This is a hunchback; probably the result of pre-natal drug abuse. I can get in touch with "one of my rougher pictures to take".

[gerry]

It's a somewhat compelling image, but I wonder what made it so rough.

In all honesty, I think rough would have been getting to know the subject first. Perhaps you did that, I don't know this from the image though. And when I see an image of a person, the face is usually pretty telling. I would have like to have seen the face.

Technically a good shot, and I agree with the previous post of use of B/W.

[clkgtr37]

I thought of getting to know the subject first, but he is mentally unstable and often talks to misc. objects. What made this rough on me was seeing him in the trash can trying to find dinner, I could never wish this upon anyone. The two things I find good coming out of this situation is people that find this picture impacting, making them think about such a life, and that it was a good excuse to bring this man dinner.
Thank You

[gerry]

I agree that seeing someone in such a situation is indeed emotionally draining.

Good for you giving him dinner. Acts of charity never go unrewarded.

And without the proper training, speaking with someone who has a mental problem may not be a wise thing to do.

The Bible says that the poor we will always have with us. May we always treat them the way we would want to be treated should we be in the same situation.

God Bless.

[Rudi]

A powerful image - makes you think about the situation you are witnessing in the photo. Black and white was the right choice. Nice work on a not-so-nice subject.