Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Don Dory wrote: > > While in Huntsville this past weekend I stopped for breakfast at a Waffle > > House which is a ubiquitous diner in the American SE. The Marine to my > > right was wonderful. The waitresses were under continuous proposition and > > women checking out were asked if they were married or were getting a > > divorce. He seemed to be a regular and his approach was so much fun that no > > one seemed offended; they stayed and talked with him. I think this image > > captures his demeanor. > > > > URL is http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=414804<<<< G'day Don, What I don't see in this picture is your wonderful description of what the old guy was doing.... bantering with the ladies and waitresses! Quite honestly, you described a wonderful happening of communication and your feelings, but in reality failed to capture what your main motivation was..... I.E.: >>He seemed to be a regular and his approach was so much fun that no one >>seemed offended; they stayed and talked with him.<<<<< This is the visual operative phrase: >>they stayed and talked with him.<< What you have here is a guy on the left taking the attention as an out of focus object so strong he takes one's eyes away from the old Marine who is looking right at you. Would it not have been a more story telling moment/photograph with the old guy and a woman, waitress or others involved with him, as in your description, rather than the image you've captured here? This is something like you trying to photograph what "you felt and heard" as opposed to what you saw. Your not alone, as we photographers often unconsciously try to capture what we feel at the moment, rather than "what we see at the moment." And that's why some photographs require words, when others are so in your face powerful it's completely visual and not a word required. This is offered as a subjective comment on your efforts, please don't be offended. ted - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html