I'm not sure this is exactly an environmental portrait, but giving you the benefit of the doubt, I will say that the focus is weird. I would expect a portrait to focus on the person and everything above the elbow is oof, to my eyes. The architecture is stunning and I would almost prefer to see this in a different challenge with nothing but the building and railing.
Remarks: The forte here, beyond the quiet amusement it may evoke, is how well the measured givens of the scene are integrated compositionally and aesthetically. This, to my sense and eye, is certainly more than what we'd expect from any found candid and better than a mere capture of (a) subject(s).
The nearly athletic back-bracing of the photographer portrayed here is reminiscent of an archer rather than that of a man with a small pocket camera taking in the sights. The contrast between this posture and any other one we would commonly associate with a man in the attire of the Hasidim is as taut as the imaginary bow he appears to span and just as surprising.
I increased my score of this entry to accommodate the amount of interest this entry stirred in me even after studying it for more than one hour.
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