Thanks to all who voted my picture into the top 15 this week. I was especially taken with the number of good comments I received and I thought some explanation was in order.
First, the "over exposure" was a deliberate decision of mine to push the contrast. I wanted a stark look and I wanted her hair and clothes to pop.
This was taken in the heart of Vancouver's skid row. She is almost certainly a drug addict and most probably a prostitute. I would guess she has just arrived from out of town (thus the suitcase and her lack of space at 8 on a Sunday morning.)
This was truly candid. I saw her on a drive past (I was looking for material to shoot,) went around the block and slowly manouvered to park at the angle I wanted. I set up most of the camera controls in the car before winding down the window and finalising the focus. I managed to get off just this single shot before neighbours and onlookers started shouting at me in a threatening manner. I didn't stay around.
I took a number of interesting shots that morning, but this seemed the best. I am grateful for its success here.
Good thing you didn't get anything thrown at you! Congrats on the photo too, it was really well done. I still love that Lucky Charms box next to her, it really gives the photo more meaning if you notice it and think about her likely situation. Courtenay
I really liked your shot. I appreciate the story you related and it pretty much matched the one that I imagined as I saw the photo for the first time. I guess that means you did a great job!! I thought it could have scored much higher.
I liked your picture a lot. Do you have the original one? I gave you an eight because I did not know what you were doing with the picture. But I loved the concept and liked your image. It was a great picture so let us see the original one or edit it the best way you can, for it is a fine picture indeed.
Well, now I find myself embarrassed, having already screwed up the original by copying over it something I was working on. No matter; it's not the first time and with luck it won't be the last (the embarrassment that is.) I'm a beginner at this stuff. I'll get better at storing originals away from my own prying hands!
No matter: all I've done is make the background monochrome; the woman's colouring is untouched from the original, as is the brightness/contrast and all other levels. You will also see the crop I made.
I liked your submission but I think the original is even better. The bars on the building and the litter on the street really add to the mood of the subject.
