Repent! JESUS is the LORD!

[m1ket4n]

So, at downtown Toronto, there is this man who is a regular fixture at the junction of Yonge and Dundas streets, probably the busiest street intersection in Toronto. He stands there, with a persistent scowl on his face, looking really angry, holding what should be a bible and a pamphlet. As masses of people cross the junction, he will suddenly raise his voice in an angry outburst, scaring people in the process. If he's trying to get more people to join his religion, I think he's probably doing it wrong. Here are some pictures:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2959551501_30b16fd2af_b.jpg
[#1]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2956670734_a287a3c5b4_b.jpg[#2]

[m1ket4n]

and oh yeah. I figure i need to learn some PS tricks. these images, for example, look good (to me) out of the camera. But they seem to lack a certain amount of contrast and sharpness that I've seen with pictures from others who have the same gear. What am I missing? Any ideas how these images could be improved?

[Dusty]

What am I missing? Any ideas how these images could be improved?

You need to see The Light.

;)

[lostinca]

Hahhahah...that was funny. I actually like this shot, aside from the guy right in the middle of the photo. The reaction is great.

[yogestee]

Happy soul isn't he??

[ryannbaker]

The first one is wonderful. And I agree with lostinca, the reaction in the second one is perfect. Good shots.

I could definitely see having some extra sharpness to the guy in the first one would help. Not too much though, but a bit.

[CartoonBear]

The face of the victim in #2 is just perfect :D

[Flo]

That is one horrid scowl! I would say this man is not getting any..at all....;)

Excellent capture.and I agree about the reaction of the passerby .lol.he does look scared!
did he say anything to you as you took his photo?

[m1ket4n]

You need to see The Light.

;)

Thanks, I do. :lol:

Happy soul isn't he??

Nope, I don't think so (i know you were being sarcastic:)). I think the reason why people like him do the things that they do is that they genuinely believe in what they are doing so much that it even has even changed their physical dispositions. If people need proof of the saying that "you are happy when you smile", here is a counter example.

The first one is wonderful. And I agree with lostinca, the reaction in the second one is perfect. Good shots.

I could definitely see having some extra sharpness to the guy in the first one would help. Not too much though, but a bit.

Thank you. But besides USM, what else can I do? That's all I know, really. :oops: I'm using Aperture to import and manage my files, so these files are minimally processed.


The face of the victim in #2 is just perfect :D

I think so too!

That is one horrid scowl! I would say this man is not getting any..at all....;)

Excellent capture.and I agree about the reaction of the passerby .lol.he does look scared!
did he say anything to you as you took his photo?

At first, I was worried that he might shout at me or worse, so I 'hid' behind a thick lamp pole as I took my first shots. When it became clear he was not going to be bothered, I changed my position to get a better shot. Throughout, he did not say or do anything. I guess he has been photographed often enough that he does not care.

[Geno DM]

I can tell you what's missing - late October Toronto - NO SNOW!

I think they're both good. Want edgey, convert them to B&W. Shutter speed on the second maybe could have been a bit faster.

[gillygilchrist]

I can tell you what's missing - late October Toronto - NO SNOW!

I think they're both good. Want edgey, convert them to B&W. Shutter speed on the second maybe could have been a bit faster.

The radio just reported it was snowing in TO now.......... :lol:

Positively balmy here in Van :cool:

[Geno DM]

The radio just reported it was snowing in TO now..........

Good news! :)

[m1ket4n]

The radio just reported it was snowing in TO now.......... :lol:

Positively balmy here in Van :cool:

yea. walked through it a little while ago. A bit early, I think. Which brings me to the topic of shooting in winter with a dSLR - tips/tricks? how to keep the fingers warm? gloves to use/avoid?

But then I suppose that is for another thread somewhere else.

Good news! :)

Bad? I'm not a big fan of the cold; although I'd say the snow does make for pretty shooting. :)

[m1ket4n]

I can tell you what's missing - late October Toronto - NO SNOW!

I think they're both good. Want edgey, convert them to B&W. Shutter speed on the second maybe could have been a bit faster.

I thought so too. Here they are, in BW (green filtered) glory:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2962311277_44899e32c1_b.jpg
#3

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2963157120_d66e1a41a0_b.jpg
#4

[Richtherookie]

I like the second one best, love the reaction. Number 1 reminds me to much of my wife when i get home late.

[JoYork]

These are really good.

Sharpness and contrast look good to me - in fact, I was going to ask which prime lens you were using until I saw your sig :)

[aldownie]

Hah! What a great face. This reminds me of a guy who used to stand in a busy shopping area in Glasgow city centre, blasting his 'repent now' message through a large PA system while he stormed up to passers-by to frown at them like the guy in your photos. With amusing frequency however, while he was walking about, people would cut his microphone cable with scissors and leave him all deflated. Latterly he employed some burly gentlemen to guard his cable from scissor-wielding anti-christs.

[m1ket4n]

I like the second one best, love the reaction. Number 1 reminds me to much of my wife when i get home late.

Ha! Or when she finds out you just added something to your gear list? :D

These are really good.

Sharpness and contrast look good to me - in fact, I was going to ask which prime lens you were using until I saw your sig :)

I'm really liking the 17-55. When I was buying it, I was torn between it, the 35mm f1.4L, and the 24-70 f2.8L, which were around the same price (+/- $100) at my local photo store. Can't really say that I'm glad I chose this one over the others, because I never had the experience of the others. But at least I can say that the pictures come out from the camera with as much sharpness (even at max aperture) as I see from the pictures around the forums. I think the exif should still be intact. In any case, the shooting data is: #1: 1/200, f/2.8 @42mm; #2: 1/100, f3.5 @23mm, both ISO100. If you like the sharpness, you might want to see my other thread in this forum: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=589119

Hah! What a great face. This reminds me of a guy who used to stand in a busy shopping area in Glasgow city centre, blasting his 'repent now' message through a large PA system while he stormed up to passers-by to frown at them like the guy in your photos. With amusing frequency however, while he was walking about, people would cut his microphone cable with scissors and leave him all deflated. Latterly he employed some burly gentlemen to guard his cable from scissor-wielding anti-christs.

I dunno... what's up with these people? I wonder, in all seriousness, if we as a species, will ever have societies without these 'enthusiastic' folk, and, in the first place, if that's a good idea. But then again, this is a photo forum, not a sociological one. :)

[condorman]

You should have used a flash, though that might not have been practical considering the situation. I imported the photo into Lightroom and applied some Fill Light, which is kinda like an after the fact flash.

[Haru]

Haha, that face...

[Darsk47]

Ha! I've seen this dude.

Like the B&W much better.

[m1ket4n]

You should have used a flash, though that might not have been practical considering the situation. I imported the photo into Lightroom and applied some Fill Light, which is kinda like an after the fact flash.

I'm still hesitating in buying/using a proper flash unit. I know I have an inbuilt flash, but that one always has the lower part of the frame obscured by the lens hood. I am worried that the flash unit will be too heavy and that it would cause an unnecessary waste of AA alkaline batteries.

Nice effect with the fill light though :)

[m1ket4n]

Ha! I've seen this dude.

Like the B&W much better.

Yeah, I know what you mean, but I like the red around his eyes which does not show in the B&W version.

[kenyc]

#2 is definitely the keeper, but both are great shots, the first showing his sadness at the state of humanity!

[Steelcityslicker]

This guy is a great guy to talk to. He has been at Yonge and Dundas, on the same corner for as long as I have been commuting to the city. I Prefer walking South on Yonge, on the West side just so I can see who he scares.

I was stationed at Yonge and College when they implimented the "scramble crossing." We had to move him down the street to prevent chaos as people were coming from all sides......He was not happy and ended up tucking his pamphlet into my vest carrier and reminding me "JESUS SAVES!!!"

Love the first shot. Knowing this character, you have done a great job catching him. 2nd shot is great as well..........love that you caught when he tucks his chin to his chest and bellows out what he has to say, I have alwasy thought that would make a great shot.

[710 Studio]

Something about his expression in #1 that reminds me of Johnny Cash. I expect the guy to break into "Man In Black" or something.

Seeing this guy in action makes me think that he's very successful at what he does. Only because he scares the "Hell" right out of people!

[m1ket4n]

#2 is definitely the keeper, but both are great shots, the first showing his sadness at the state of humanity!

Ah yes. The state of humanity. Sometimes I wonder if it is more an indication of one's state of mind - that one chooses, often unconsciously, to notice certain phenomena only because one has a framework that only recognises a particular class of phenomena.

This guy is a great guy to talk to. He has been at Yonge and Dundas, on the same corner for as long as I have been commuting to the city. I Prefer walking South on Yonge, on the West side just so I can see who he scares.

I was stationed at Yonge and College when they implimented the "scramble crossing." We had to move him down the street to prevent chaos as people were coming from all sides......He was not happy and ended up tucking his pamphlet into my vest carrier and reminding me "JESUS SAVES!!!"

Love the first shot. Knowing this character, you have done a great job catching him. 2nd shot is great as well..........love that you caught when he tucks his chin to his chest and bellows out what he has to say, I have alwasy thought that would make a great shot.

You were stationed there? Were/Are you one of Toronto's finest? :)
Yeah, I went past him again recently, and heard him go "BELIEVE in the LORD!!", again in the style you mentioned - chin down, bellowing out at the top of his voice, as in picture #2. He actually deserves a video; a picture does not do him enough justice.

Something about his expression in #1 that reminds me of Johnny Cash. I expect the guy to break into "Man In Black" or something.

Seeing this guy in action makes me think that he's very successful at what he does. Only because he scares the "Hell" right out of people!

What, you mean this guy? :D
http://www.geocities.com/wabasso/images/Billboard_ad.jpg

[710 Studio]

What, you mean this guy? :D
http://www.geocities.com/wabasso/images/Billboard_ad.jpg

Yup... that would be him! :D

[Steelcityslicker]

You were stationed there? Were/Are you one of Toronto's finest?
Yeah, I went past him again recently, and heard him go "BELIEVE in the LORD!!", again in the style you mentioned - chin down, bellowing out at the top of his voice, as in picture #2. He actually deserves a video; a picture does not do him enough justice.

6 years as patrol officer and 4 with the Emergency Task Force.........Recently made the move to another service. I am in Toronto still quite a bit though.......can't seem to get away from this place :(

[1shot4u]

The good news is....He is spreading the good news..Jesus Christ..our Lord

[Michael_Lambert]

He sure is a character, i have seen him on a few occasions. Who's up for dressing like the devil and standing on the other side of the street and taunting him... I bet a good photo ops comes from it :D

[locky]

The good news is....He is spreading the good news..Jesus Christ..our Lord
AMEN!!

[labbai]

Nice street photography. I like the first one in bw. Nice bokeh. Great shot! :)

[JoYork]

Thank God I'm an atheist.

[kenyc]

Thank God I'm an atheist.

Yeah, I know, Every time I see this thread pop up in my email I think it's another piece of spam! :lol:

[710 Studio]

Thank God I'm an atheist.
I wonder how many people will miss the irony of this statement? heh heh heh

[1downfall]

AMEN!!
i know i am late.....but +1^!!
I like the B&W conversion the best. I also commend you for being brave enough to shoot out like this! love the expression of the passerby!

[kenyc]

i know i am late.....but +1^!!
I like the B&W conversion the best. I also commend you for being brave enough to shoot out like this! love the expression of the passerby!

Dude, you're too late, Jesus already came and went. :)

[locky]

i know i am late.....but +1^!!
I like the B&W conversion the best. I also commend you for being brave enough to shoot out like this! love the expression of the passerby!

Oh I have no problem letting people know I am a Christian. I also play in a Christian worship band.

Next time we are in Toronto I will keep an eye out for this guy. Toronto is one of our favorite cities and is worth the trip just to eat at Mr. Greenjeans in the Eaton Center.

[m1ket4n]

He sure is a character, i have seen him on a few occasions. Who's up for dressing like the devil and standing on the other side of the street and taunting him... I bet a good photo ops comes from it :D

Well, I certainly did not (dress up and bait him), because I was shooting at the Halloween event over at Church street. Shameless plug here: see my slideshow over at flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-tan/sets/72157608570302847/show/)

[m1ket4n]

Nice street photography. I like the first one in bw. Nice bokeh. Great shot! :)

Thanks!

Thank God I'm an atheist.

Amen?

Yeah, I know, Every time I see this thread pop up in my email I think it's another piece of spam! :lol:

Sorry! I tried to change the title, but I think can't. Actually, I went back a few days later, and then remembered he actually bellows out "BELIEVE IN THE LORD!!!" as his head is tilted down as in picture #2 & #4.

I wonder how many people will miss the irony of this statement? heh heh heh

Actually, I did (miss it initially). :o

i know i am late.....but +1^!!
I like the B&W conversion the best. I also commend you for being brave enough to shoot out like this! love the expression of the passerby!

I was quite worried that he'd get all medieval on me too :D I took a few cautious shots, raising and lowering the camera quickly, but he took no mind so I became a bit more brazen. Still, I did not stay long, so it was not as if I had a CF card full of pictures of him.

[ngorkngork]

Nice shots. The moment I saw it, I knew what I like to do with it. Here's what I deed.

[Stealthy Ninja]

Thank God I'm an atheist.

I'll counter with another one:

God doesn't believe in atheists, therefore atheists don't exist.

No religious talk allowed!

;)

I really like these photos, especially the second one, so darn funny.

Well done.