Todays ADPOTD might stir them up!!!

[embi]

Oh no!

http://www.potd.com.au/adpotd.shtml

[MHD]

is that yours??

[Nnnnsic]

I think he's referring to that whole post where there was the flare-up between Rjlhughes about Dion's posting of an image he'd shot of a guy lying on a parkbench and how it was invasive of his privacy (which I disagree with, btw).

[Sheetshooter]

DEEP IN THOUGHT is an absolute cracker of a shot, if that is what is being alluded to. Looks like it was quite intentionally set up judging by the symmetry and design. The subject is unidentifiable also which might diffuse some issues also.

I'll be interested to hear what Kristian Polak has to say about the design elements. Just a tad off with one of the chairs. This shot might also work equally well in colour.

[krpolak]

Sheetshooter,

I have seen this photo and the only thing I can say: it is really great and it trully deserves being picked up.

Composition, symmetry, patterns (I can see at least here), b&w approach are top quality. It is also worth to mention that we are dealing here with human which puts extra new dimension.

The only flaw I see is a skew effect, could be corrected and as you said the chair on the right.

I wish to have that kind of shot in my portfolio.

Regarding to initial thoughs, I would agree to be catch in such a good way

Also I took a look to his gallery. Here is other one, maybe not that great but still quite ok.

http://www.potd.com.au/gallery/displayimage.php?album=683&pos=33

However, based on other photos there, it seems that author rather does not particullary search for geometry and design in his photography, at least not in my understanding. But still, have a good eye.

Regards,

K.Polak

[Sheetshooter]

Yes Kristian,

The photo in the link is also very interesting but perhaps we should not discuss the artist too much here since they did not invite our criticism and they may not be present to counter any discussion.

The skills applied to setting up the DEEP IN THOUGHT shot are nothing short of exemplary and they raise an issue that has been held very dear by me right throughtout my career:

HOWEVER HARD IT IS TO CATCH A NATURAL CANDID FOUND SHOT IT IS EASY-PEEZY LEMON SQUEAZY COMPARED TO FABRICATING A NATURAL CANDID LOOKING MADE OR CONTRIVED SHOT

And I think that what we are looking at in this particular shot makes that point quite convincingly. Motion picture cameramen have to do this all the time in feature films. It is all play acting made to look coinvincingly realistic (well, up to a certain point with some films) by hard won skills and talent.

Incorporating the human figure or portrait into an environment of striking design has long held a fascination for me. Look at some of the work that Edward Weston was shooting in attics of clients and friends as early as 1915 and you will see that it is not a NEW idea. Many others are worth looking at in the area of environmental portraiture also - not least of them Arnold Newman.

I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing you tackle some of this also, kristian.

Cheers,