I don't even remember taking this shot - don't remember the moment, the situation. Look at him - his too large coat (the bulge around his right shoulder), the too short trousers, his thick spectacles, his slightly chubby frame, the way the butcher has privileged his status compared to him by remaining on the step and forcing him to look up, the defensive way he holds his shopping bag in front of him, the awkwardness of his reaching for his pocket, his hair disorganised underneath his oh so ordinary flat cap, his blocky uncomforatble shoes, his slightly bandy-legged stance - a picture of 'english' humility and self-effacement. And then the butcher, his angry frown, his wearing of the 'uniform', his confidence, that vicious short back-and-sides haircut, the stragnth and power of his head - here really is a man used to the weilding of the cleaver. No contest, really?
Statistics
Place: 3 out of 396 Avg (all users): 6.6627 Avg (commenters): 8.6000 Avg (participants): 6.5833 Avg (non-participants): 6.7222 Views since voting: 10505 Views during voting: 373 Votes: 252 Comments: 69 Favorites: 54 (view)
Wow, this is a remarkable photograph. I did not have a chance to vote on this one, but this would have been my first pick. The description sums it all up, and really sends shivers down my spine. I feel bad for the man. Both men. Fantastic job, congratulations.
Congrats on the ribbon. Really happy to see this where it belongs up at the top. Thanks for making me want to leave my house again to try to find real things to take photos of.
Great shot, your composition is flawless, the tones are nice, and you are seemingly invisible to this shot.
Overheard that day at the butchers...
"Pardon me guvnor, can I use your loo?," asked the frumpy bandy legged pensioner awkwardly.
"Move on, you bandy legged uncomfortable shoe, coat too big, ordinary hat wearing git, your type really makes me puke! Can't you read the sign, it says no public restrooms," the stern butcher proclaimed, as if he had excessive cleaving syndrome.
"Then I'll just take two pounds of the sirloin, please."
The butchers smile widened, as if to greet an old friend. "Why didn't you say so earlier, come right is sir, and pee anywhere you'd like."
This has so much to observe, most of which you have very eloquently outlined in your "writeup".
I particularly like the people in shadow perusing the butcher`s wares, adds that bit extra to the image but crucially, it doesn`t detract from the main subjects....a bit like a "Hitchcock" cameo role.
Superb work as usual.
Ed, I'm just getting caught up on this challenge. Marvelous entry, but even MORE marvelous is the lovely story you appended to the comments section. Very Holmesian deductions, I rather fancy... Great job!
Lots of character in this shot. I like it and I think it deserved to come 1st! Incidentally, isn't it against EU law to advertise in lb rather than kg? :)
That's it! But if I'd called it 'The EU commissioner of weights and measures comes to visit' I think fewer people would have liked it. And Martin - Shambles as in the famous street in York (actually the cross-street at the end of the shot) but your point is well made.
Lots of character in this shot. I like it and I think it deserved to come 1st! Incidentally, isn't it against EU law to advertise in lb rather than kg? :)
I keep seeing this shot on my main page, and I get to where I can't stop looking at it. I wish I voted in this challenge because it is truly one of the best images I have seen on here. It reminds me of Norman Rockwell's work; there is a story to the image, and completely embedded in the single image. Great job.
Back to say I can't believe nobody has remarked on the wonderful name of the butchery!
Such a wonderful, sly little juxtaposition all of its own, given the prim 'spit and polish' nature of the butcher.
The photograph looks like a still from a '60's BBC television series, especially as the two main players bring to my mind a couple of characters from that place and time ... the butcher as Captain Peacock ('Are You Being Served?") and the shopper as Captain Mainwaring ('Dad's Army').
just found out the other day dude to a thread that you are one of my statistical favs. lol i gess i know why after seeing this in the challenge it was a fav. right off the bat.
the moment holds so much its can truly be said that you picture is worth well over a thousand words.
and i am so glad to see it hit top 3 i truly think it is deserving of 1st but the cards fell as they did eh'.
anyhow couldn't let it pass off the front page with out telling you just how truly classic and great this image is. the only way i can really put it is-
you know those classic photo books the ones with Brasson, and Mark and such? well this is of that grade and if they ever re-publish the time life book of photography series, this image should be in it.
editing or no Brasson is smiling somewhere just after seeing the look on the face of the Butcher.
I was just going to put this amazing image to my favorite list. But I had done it already. Superb shot and your comments, ED, make the photo even more interesting. Congrats!
Ed strikes again! When I saw this challenge theme 2 weeks ago I immediately pegged you for one of the favorites in taking a ribbon in this challenge and you did not dissapoint :) Added this image to my favorites too, like I have said earlier, I really enjoy your street photography and as far as I am concerned, you are THE street photographer here at DPC.
What a pleasant Wednesday morning surprise - really couldn't see this getting into this territory, there just weren't enough comments, I thought. From the same day as these other street images - not really outtakes, as tyhis was the obvious entry. Thanks for all views votes and comments; really nice to do well in a form of photography that really means something to me.
the best in this challenge - maybe in several challenges. The inherent story is beautiful, one of those timeless photographs that gives everyone who sees it a feeling of what life is like. Just excellent.
You are my favorite. You astonish me and inspire. I can't wait to get back to my modest city of Denver, so once more I can be around the goings-on of citylife. However, England and its cities offer so much LIFE, activity and most of all character and you can capture it with expertise. Your b/w treatment is tops, literally the best I have seen, period.
I don't even remember taking this shot - don't remember the moment, the situation. Look at him - his too large coat (the bulge around his right shoulder), the too short trousers, his thick spectacles, his slightly chubby frame, the way the butcher has privileged his status compared to him by remaining on the step and forcing him to look up, the defensive way he holds his shopping bag in front of him, the awkwardness of his reaching for his pocket, his hair disorganised underneath his oh so ordinary flat cap, his blocky uncomforatble shoes, his slightly bandy-legged stance - a picture of 'english' humility and self-effacement. And then the butcher, his angry frown, his wearing of the 'uniform', his confidence, that vicious short back-and-sides haircut, the stragnth and power of his head - here really is a man used to the weilding of the cleaver. No contest, really?
Ha! Your self-analysis is just like I'd write. Saved me the trouble. Nice work on both counts.
Can't stop coming back to this picture. It's like it was taken 30 years ago and feels really nostalgic to me. Thanks. I've really enjoyed it. Hope it's a winner. From a technical aspect, I think the black and white treatment is excellent, too.
Now this is typical British. The stern faces, the plastic bag, the window shopper in the background with his finger up against the window pane. This one is definitely my favourite, although not DPC friendly at its most. But I am looking at the story this image is telling, and not only that, but the excellent compostion. I am looking at the finer details, the way the footpath takes a curve to the right beyond the man who's coat is too small for him, the uneven windows of the background building, all those things the 5-second voter will not see and will never see. If JJ were living in England I would take this for his photo, but he doesn't so it can only belong to Ed! For me this image is a masterpiece and a blue ribbon it will probably not get. However my fingers are crossed for you!
This is a great shot. You've done a nice job of capturing a moment here. Nice crisp detail and the B/W treatment is a wonderful choice. Well done. Good luck in the challenge.
I really like the interaction between the two subjects. Toning is well done, composition excellent. Contrast a touch high, but it could be my monitor. A good candid leaves me wanting more - the next frame. So does this. 10
I don't usually like comments or give them, but since candids are near and dear to my heart, I have decided to comment on every photo in this challenge.
I actually like this one. Praise the Lord for those that actually captured candids this week, and you are one of them. Not much emotion shown here, but there is a story at least. Both men have character. I love the tones. I love the street and the surrounding textures. It's a good capture. I have seen better, but this is very good. A 7 vote from me.
Great clarity and detail. I like the interplay between the two gentlemen. The geometry of all of the squares and rectangles is repeated over and over and makes for a nice theme. WEll done. 8
At the Butcher's
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