people at the wailing wall

[Justin_NJ]

I added some contrast and sharpened the picture in PP. I am thinking the left side should be cropped. Any thoughts on this picture?

[RadAL]

it doesn't really do anything for me... just a bunch of people, jewish people, standing by an old building with a gate open.

[Amfamora]

Wonder what would happen if graffiti was to show up on that wall one day.....

[Justin_NJ]

RadAL - Actually - I was going to rip you up for being a racist, but figured it's not worth my time. If you don't understand what this picture represents that is your problem. All I know is regardless of what religion a certain building or monument stands for, most of them are absolutly fantastic in architecture and history. Next time you have a racist comment, please do not post it openly on a message board, you never know who you might offend.

[mrbez]

Justin, RadAL's comment was not racist at all, he was just stating what he saw. And I too, see the same thing. The image does personally nothing for me, but as you say, I know nothing about the history. Maybe if I did, it would be a different story. But that does not make me a racist. If you like it, and it means something dearly to you, then that is all that matters.

[Redser]

I agree with RadAL and MrCraigBerry. I know almost nothing about the Jewish religion (though I'm going to go and look up the wailing wall now!), and the picture doesn't do anything for me at all. I don't see how that could make me racist. I'm not insulting or belittling Jews or their beliefs, just saying that to someone who's unfamiliar with the context, the shot isn't particularly interesting.

As for your point about architecture and history, Justin, it's probably true, but the photo doesn't really convey that, and on this forum, it's the photo that's being commented on.

[Roy Mathers]

I agree - a picture surely should stand on its own, and not need a knowledge of history etc to appreciate it. That being the case, I'm afraid it doesn't do anything for me either.

[RadAL]

I was not being racist as the others have said, and I didn't mean to offend you (since you thought I was being racist). You asked for comments and I gave you a comment stating the picture didn't do anything(on its own, if you had put more pictures up to give a more clear view... possibly be different). I don't know the history or what it represents but that still doesn't change the fact that this one picture doesn't do anything for me on its own. I know from other posts you've made or threads, that you are very critical and if someone says something (you misunderstand/or thought wrong) you attack them.

[Davis]

It's a very powerful place... Do you have any shots from closer up? Maybe with someone praying in front of it? That may have captured a slightly more "intense" photo.

[Chandler.]

I know a little about the Wailing Wall, as some of my friends have been there, but this picture doesn't convey the reverence, emotion or power that this location carries. The people look pretty nonchalant. Did you get any shots of the prayers in the wall or closeups of the people?

I think you read RadAL's first post in the wrong context. I think he wrote it as an unbiased observation, listing and describing the things he saw. I think you read it thinking it was trying to belittle the culture and people involved in this photo.

[LLBNY]

Not knowing much about the jewish people, or religion it doesn't do much to me. Actually, since I saw part of the picture in a smal window, I first noticed the jeans or levis and the very shinny floor, and a couple of people meeting.
If this was part of a wider view, may be this would be more obvious.
But, I also have some pictures that will not do to anyone but me, because i can attach something else to the picture.

[jonnythan]

Just looks like some random tourist snapshot to me. Sorry.

[michvin]

there's a much more interesting viewpoint on the wailing wall if you go further away from it and stand so that it's on your left and shoot at an angle.
And second comment was not racist - just an opinion on the photograph and correct one, for that matter.

[tylercooney]

I just wanted to point out some inaccuracies in terminology. Racism is the discrimination against a person or group of people based on their 'race.' Race is a distinction based on one or multiple physical characteristics. Religion is not a physical characteristic; therefore calling any of the previous statements 'racist' is incorrect.

[khall]

Yes I would crop the left side, taking out the metal post and grill, as it does not fit in with the rest of the picture. Nice sharp shot plenty of detail, but picture wise not a lot of meaning as the people do not give any reason as to why or what they are doing at that particular place.

[Justin_NJ]

Ok here it goes:
Radal - didn't mean to offend you by my response, however when I read the post and you had pointed out 'jewish people' as an after thought, to me I took it as an offense. I was also curious and showed your response to two jewish israeli co-workers prior to me posting the response, and they both happened to have the same reaction I did.

For those that are not sure what the wailing wall is - it's the most religious place in the world for the jewish people.

Lesson for me - don't just think that everyone knows what a specific picture might represents without more infomration behind it.

I didn't get any very close up shots of people praying right up near the wall. I didn't have a strong powered telephoto lens and getting too close to someone trying to have some private time to pray, esp someone who is very religious, may take extreame offense to having their picture taken.

Justin

[michvin]

Ok here it goes:
Radal - didn't mean to offend you by my response, however when I read the post and you had pointed out 'jewish people' as an after thought, to me I took it as an offense. I was also curious and showed your response to two jewish israeli co-workers prior to me posting the response, and they both happened to have the same reaction I did.

For those that are not sure what the wailing wall is - it's the most religious place in the world for the jewish people.

Lesson for me - don't just think that everyone knows what a specific picture might represents without more infomration behind it.

I didn't get any very close up shots of people praying right up near the wall. I didn't have a strong powered telephoto lens and getting too close to someone trying to have some private time to pray, esp someone who is very religious, may take extreame offense to having their picture taken.

JustinTo counter-balance opinion of your co-workers: I'm Israeli, Jewish. I didn't :)

[Consensus Trance]

RadAL - Actually - I was going to rip you up for being a racist, but figured it's not worth my time. If you don't understand what this picture represents that is your problem. All I know is regardless of what religion a certain building or monument stands for, most of them are absolutly fantastic in architecture and history. Next time you have a racist comment, please do not post it openly on a message board, you never know who you might offend.

What the hell is racist about calling Jews what they are? Are you out of your freaking mind? BTW - your picture is just a snapshot. It's not worth a critique.

[RadAL]

I only said "jewish people" later on KNOWING you might take offense. Thats why I said "people, jewish people" they way I did so as to not try to offend anyone.

[elwood58]

Justin,

You need to develop a little maturity if you are going to post for peoples consideration and critique. A picture needs to tell the whole story. I realize that you did not want to show disrespect by photographing someone during prayer time.

Cropping your photograph to enhance the right side would have possibly been able to show the prayers inserted in the cracks of the wall. It would have also highlighted the side view of the man in his prayer shawl.

The observation of "Jewish people" probably had a lot to do with the fact that everyone on the left side is wearing a white yamulca. It really draws the eye before anything else.

This photo is much more in focus that the previous post of the street vendor and man with donkey resting.

Keep at it, and leave that chip on your shoulder somewhere else. It will allow you to carry another lens or two.

[Roy Mathers]

Ok here it goes:

For those that are not sure what the wailing wall is - it's the most religious place in the world for the jewish people.

Justin

If it is so important, why don't you call it by its proper name - the Western Wall. And by the way, I agree with elwood58, you should take the chip off your shoulder. I have many good friends who are Jewish (note the capital letter) and take no exception at all to being called Jews, because that's what they are!

[CJinAustin]

Umm, if you are Jewish... I think there are some writing jobs available over here in the U.S.
Might work out better than the photography thing... hehehe

[Michel Souris]

FWIW, the "wailing wall", is better known as the Western Wall. It's the major artifact left from the Temple of Solomon, built over 2000 years ago and destroyed by the Romans, the main temple of Jerusalem. Actually, a lot more is being uncovered now by archaeologists. In any case, it carries great significance for Jews worldwide, and great emotional impact for them. It's part of the reason that Jerusalem is so important to the Jews. Unfortunately, none of this is evident in the picture presented, which is really very ordinary.