Los Angeles

Photographer's Note

People photography is not my strong side as I don't like to photograph people without their permission and asking for permission often breaks the mood.

The guy, a guard at the Getty Museum, is not in sorrow. His just having a nap. I thought about taking a pic and when the energetic little girl jumped around him I couldn't resist. So I turned paparazzi.

Cropped it to locate them in different corners to emphasize their different moods. Curves and converted to B/W in the channel mixer.

Liora, hantulaut, Jeppe, allotfy, omritoppol, Edwin, merpb, elena, pridel, torben, cs-ist, carobnica has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

MKING (3054) 2004-04-22 22:52

You made excellent use of the opportunity- the composition works well. I like how the lines of the tiles lead you from the man in the bottom right to the girl in the top left, and that flow is maintained as she is leaving the frame. You captured her at just the right moment too- the outline of her arms and legs are easily discernable; a great near-silhouette. Great shot.

[2]

Liora (1857) 2004-04-22 23:12

Great timing and interesting interpretation. The composition is very good and the B&R works very well. Maybe you are a people photographer after all? ;)

maciekda (19895) 2004-04-22 23:21

hi Mikkel, nice picture, well composed, i like those different emotions in one frame. i'd add more contrast here - the picture is a bit too gray to my taste, the rest is good, good stuff

weiphoto (353) 2004-04-23 0:19

The lines in the marble are small, yet quite dynamic. I like the "sorrow" shadow, and the "joy" person having more dimension with a like shadow. The light increasing towards to top (towards "joy") also evokes that emotion. Very good tonality. A great picture.

bgladman (1153) 2004-04-23 1:54

Hey Mikkel,

Great angle on this shot and I like the simple yet effective composition. The lack of depth creates a compressed view where the guard and girl appear on to be on the same plane. Only the discontinuous lines give away the guard is not in fact sleeping on the floor. Which i imagine is just what the Getty Museum would not be after in their security staff. I agree with Maciek that you could probably increase the contrast slightly. Even still a great photo.

allotfy (1525) 2004-04-23 1:58

What a Great composition here , your angle is perfect which you show the both of them with there shadows and when you made it B&W you add the mood of your title , and finally you frame it by perfect way .. well seen Miks

Edwin (188) 2004-04-23 3:07

"So I turned paparazzi."

LOL! Belly is still shaking from your comment Mikkel (-:

I really really love this one, for me your picture has certainly a high artistic factor. Contrasts between the textures of the street tiles and the two persons with their shadows are interesting, as well as the more ethical contrast between the two characters in your shot. It puts the viewer's mind to work. Very well done Mikkel!

[workshop] [compare]

Jeppe (18654) 2004-04-23 4:06

Perfect timing in this fine photo - very well spotted and captured - even in B&W I can feel the joy of the child.

Great work Mikkel.

cmartos (242) 2004-04-23 4:49

Excellent, outstanding composition. This is a strong image. Could only be much more contrasted, but this is only my taste. I really like the two attitudes and the way you've captured them. Congratulations Mikkel! This is a great people/daylife shot.

omritoppol (826) 2004-04-23 7:11

That's a great shot, the POV is really good here and the B&W works excellent. I like the cropping, it's very effective by adding even more dynamics to it (the diagonal line also does the trick). I think that the B&W is somewhat too gray. Great shot Mikkel!
Points later

merpb (2001) 2004-04-23 11:07

Beautiful subtle B&W Mikkel.
Lovely rich low key tones and a wonderful contrast between the two subjects.
Goes straight to my favourites.

elena (1054) 2004-05-10 12:30

good idea, that girl added a twist to your original thought of shooting just him... i like her shadow too!! good choice of b/w.

pridel (233) 2004-08-18 10:51

You made a success of a very beautiful composition there. in bottom on the right of the image a man folded on him even almost in the shade, and in top on the left a girl jumps towards the light.
The camera angle is excellent and the n&b is effective.
congratulations
Pascal

torben (3100) 2004-08-18 14:36

Yes, real paparazzis use telelenses, real street photographers use wideangle.
No, seriously, I don't think there is any paparazzi here, a paparazzi wants to intrude on and disclose secrets of a person that he views as a victim.
A street photographer wants to show and celebrate the immensely interesting humanity around him. That's what I see here (although it's a teleshot). But of course taking photographs of strangers is never easy, especially when they are right in front of you, try it ;-)

Oh - and the photo is well composed but a bit too low in contrast.

kourosh (2346) 2004-08-29 3:14

very interesting picture. great tones that create a moody feel.
i wished the framing wasnt too tight on the top.

carobnica (1336) 2005-08-17 9:24

Really great picture!!!
I love the perspective and the composition and at the end the effect you gained...
also your title is very interesting... young human being still unaware of many things that will wait him/her and on the contrary the older man,deep in his thoughts, maybe with worries maybe not...
I like it...it's interesting
hellos from croatia
ana

Furachan (0) 2007-05-12 4:06

Splendid moment captured, Mikkel. In spite f your reluctance as stated in the note, you have a flir for peole shots . OUtstanding contrast and...humor.
Bravo (I caught this one on the opening page today, special feature).
Cheers,
Francis