Opinions on this candid shot?

[chomish]

Just a shot i took which i liked, and wanted ur opinions.

Thanks for looking, AL..

[vgk1nka1dx]

I wonder how relaxing that actually is.

[heycow]

You know, I really like this image. I wonder what the heck that dude's story is, and the fact that the young couple is happily chatting away just through the glass is really cool. Good photograph.

[Walczak Photo]

This is just me here, but I think there is too much going on in this shot...it's like you have a couple of different "stories" going on at the same time (like trying to watch 2 different TV shows at once) and it makes things a bit confusing as to what the shot is supposed to be about. I think the guy asleep with his sandals off in front of the shoe store is certainly a good single story in itself...certainly a quaint juxtaposition there to say the least. I don't think the couple in the window behind him really adds anything to the image...unless of course they were laughing and smiling at the guy with his sandals off and in that case, it doesn't really come across in the image.

Of course the couple in the window tells a different story...I think with a slightly different position here with them as the central subject, you would have had a second really great shot here. This part of the image, had it of been framed correctly could have had a really nice "romantic cafe" feel to it, but as is I think it detracts from what you have already. Personally I'd play with the crop and eliminate the couple..."sleeping guy" is really the story in this shot as it is.

I would like to add that I really like the subdued colors in this shot...very nicely done there! Give the shot almost a timeless nostalgic feel.

Peace,
Jim

[neil_r]

The fact that it is a shoe shop makes this shot for me

[KarlosDaJackal]

The only problem i see with this shot is the shortness of the girls dress and the angle towards her. I think that could distract some people :rolleyes:

[midnitejam]

I think there are two separate images in this photo--either of which would be better their sum.

The right half of this image talks. Easy to assume that the guy brought his only pair of shoes to the shop to get repaired while he waits outside out of and away from the un-airconditioned environment.

The left half of this image also tells a story. Maybe a first-time date in a safe and secure place where prospective sweethearts can become safely acquainted.

[KarlosDaJackal]

If you did split it, and used the left side, you could enhance the reflection of the traffic light, so that the red shows more in front of the girl and the green in front of the guy. :lol:

[Flo]

I love everything about this photo, I saw it in Urban and just thought it was brilliant...

[chomish]

Thank u all for veiwing and giving me your great opinions, really appreciate it.
Thank you flow, really appreciate it.

Thanx again, Al..

[Bigbitt8706]

I love it! the juxtaposition of the two stories is beautiful... great photograph!
a b&w convert might make it a little bit better because i'm not sure if color really adds to the photo, but all in all it's a brilliant capture!

[bdiphoto]

I didnt read what others had to say so I may be repeating. But I like this shot for the simple fact the couple on the left are in a completely different frame of mind then the "person" on the right. The photos a little too busy on the right side, cropping may help. Just a thought?:cool:

[chomish]

Thank you biggbitt8706, and bdiphoto. really appreciate your comments.

Thanx again, Al.

[walternewton]

I think it's great as-is, can't imagine changing a thing.

[Andrushka]

great contrasts here for sure - the happiness/sadness/loneliness/friendship/shoes/no shoes - very nice

[led hed]

he's waiting for the shoe store to open, the sandals aren't cutting it anymore.

[chomish]

he's waiting for the shoe store to open, the sandals aren't cutting it anymore.
Hahahah, Funny one!

Thanx for views and replies guys, Al..

[LeeSC]

Great shot. Every time you look at it you see a different meaning. At first, I see the flip flop wearer as a homeless person with the young couple chatting it up in the background. It really shows how individuals so far apart in life can be so close toghether.

Then I noticed the whole flip flop thing and the shoe shop.

Yes, there is a lot going on in this photo. But every bit of it tells a different story.

[LeeSC]

WOW, just noticed something else.

The rope seems to "cut off" or seperate the lives of the young couple and the individual sitting on the sidewalk.

[chomish]

thanx guys for viewing and great replies.

[PhotoJourno]

Great vision for this one. Willingly or not, captured all the elements for a story within the image. I'd black and white it. Perhaps also play slightly with the horizons (choosing which perceived horizontal line to follow) and some very slight +/- 5% crop around the edges.

[S.Horton]

I think this is excellent work.

The shoe theme in the photo, for me, caught my attention.

The questions it creates about what the differences are between those people and their place in life are powerful.

[joedlh]

I agree with Flo. It's a moment-in-time shot that kept my eyes busy for far longer than others. There are lots of stories here. Finding them is the fun part. I don't find it distracting at all.

The image did not fit on my monitor. When I scrolled down and saw the sandals off the feet, it made the shot for me.

[OL9245]

I like the image. The couple in the restaurant makes the image by contrasting with the lonely (and supposedly homeless) man. Still, I understand the criticisms about the two stories because the lady is pretty and smiling, so does she attract the attention more than she should to make the image work.

I suggest to dodge the restaurant scene significantly, so that the attention will be catch by the man first. I tried this and it works fine. I will PM you the edit so you can judge by yourself (since you dont have Editing OK)

Good capture, thanks for posting.

[chomish]

Thank you photojourno, hortons162, and joedlh. Really appreciate your take on the photo.

OL9245, Thanx for the tips and the PP help which i liked your opinions on it.
Your more then welcomed to post that image on here to see what others think.

Thanx again, AL.

[Bill Pham]

agree the shot is good as is. take me awhile to absorb it all in. lots of element going on in it.

Bill

[OL9245]

Thank you photojourno, hortons162, and joedlh. Really appreciate your take on the photo.

OL9245, Thanx for the tips and the PP help which i liked your opinions on it.
Your more then welcomed to post that image on here to see what others think.

Thanx again, AL.

here you go. Thanks for your kind words.

I dodged one scene (the restaurant) to make a hierarchy between the two and so avoiding them to conflict with each other.
I also clones out the wall, which is important as a separation between the two worlds. Ideally, I would also try to work on the man, probably adding sharpness or contrast on his face, depending on how the original is.

http://masla.smugmug.com/photos/367355377_nhnbg-X3.jpg

[Majortom212]

i really like the irony in this photo....great subjects. as far as the composition goes....it could use some contrast and i think the reflections in the windows are somewhat distracting. overall great urban shot in my opinion.

[chomish]

i really like the irony in this photo....great subjects. as far as the composition goes....it could use some contrast and i think the reflections in the windows are somewhat distracting. overall great urban shot in my opinion.
Thank you sir. Really appreciate the comments.

[Miniflash]

I love this shot ..A very well done candid in my opinion

[Flo]

I still like it just as it was taken..it would be on my wall if it were mine.;)

[weather_wrangler]

As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words", and this is a gem.

The red rope barrier is another excellent symbolic element. It separates the "haves" from the "have not" in a very striking way.

Reminds me of some of the wonderful photographic story telling done by the old Saturday Evening Post & other publications years ago.

[capture photons]

AWESOME shot dude i wish it was a cropped a tad bit more to the left. but then again i dont know whats over there.

[mineymole]

Really great photo. So full of so many possible stories.

[tkoutdoor]

You know, I really like this image. I wonder what the heck that dude's story is, and the fact that the young couple is happily chatting away just through the glass is really cool. Good photograph.That's not a dude, it's a she. I know someone in my town who looks about like this, a little larger maybe and minus the shoes. It's definitely a female. Probably attended Woodstock when you put all the pieces together I'd guess. I see nothing "have" or "have not" about this photo. There are plenty of folks who value an apparently simple lifestyle when it comes to dress code and public behavior. The woman on the right is dressed as she is by choice. Butch haircut, no underwear up top and sandals. I'm betting this woman is a product of the 60's and proud of it. It's not have or have not per se, it's a clash of the lifestyle choices.

[Croasdail]

Not a fan of the last edit posted... sorry. I can figure out the subject of the photo without it being spoon fed to me. I am a big fan of simple images, but I don't think this one needs to be cleaned up so much. And actually the image just becomes a picture of someone sleeping on the street... a dime a dozen shot with out the couple. They are what add context to the shot, they don't need to be minimalized. I really appreciate the original, particularly the velvet rope ... nice touch.

[chomish]

Not a fan of the last edit posted... sorry. I can figure out the subject of the photo without it being spoon fed to me. I am a big fan of simple images, but I don't think this one needs to be cleaned up so much. And actually the image just becomes a picture of someone sleeping on the street... a dime a dozen shot with out the couple. They are what add context to the shot, they don't need to be minimalized. I really appreciate the original, particularly the velvet rope ... nice touch.

Thanx alot guys for all the fine opinions, and comments.

I agree with u on this one Croasdail, and in my opinion the couple was very important to the shot, and what i was trying to show in a photograph. But at the same time i enjoy viewing other peoples take on things.

Theres nothing wrong with the have and have not theme that someone had mentioned, as everybody sees something different in a photo. And that to me is what makes candid photography so interesting.

Thanx again, Al.

[chomish]

I still like it just as it was taken..it would be on my wall if it were mine.;)
Thanx alot Flo for the kind words.

And i think im gonna put it on the wall. Great idea!!

Really apprecieate it, Al.