I am torn about this image. It is a great scene, however maybe because it is so great it feels like a setup, and if it is so, then I would not like it so much anymore... All people in the scene are acting very naturally though, so I very well may be totally wrong about the setup, it just feels that way... The technicals also are very good, composition, angle, DOF, duotone conversion, etc. But again, the angle makes me suspect that the scene was carefully constructed - you must have expected the action to happen in precisely the way it happened. And the obvious selective focus on the girl again makes me somewhat uncomfortable, it shows that the rest of the scene was additionally blurred in the post-processing, and that adds to the artificial feel of this scene. I would so much prefer it to be presented in a documentary B/W style without any processing tricks.
I hope you don't mind my blabbering. In spite of all I said a very interesting image, definitely worthy the Masters challenge.
I like the composition a lot with the left edge alignment, figures in it, vanishing point, and finishing. However my attention is split between the girl holding out the ice cream and the couple hugging, since they are both in the DOF, but there is no connection between them. If the man was looking towards the little girl it would have been perfect, but obviously that was beyond your controland I suppose would have lost the face of the man also. Otherwise if the DOF was only on the girl it would be great. Without having actual models posing I know this is a split second decision and you did very good on it.
To me, the camera work is that of a 'Master'. The subject matter is very artistic, the tilt and composition is perfect. I like the sepia, it's makes a great mood for a touching photo. This is a photo that almost doesn't need a title but is good that you did for the people that won't really look at the photo. Excellent: 10
The odd angle works here to heighten the uneasy feeling about the homeless guy. If this wasn't posed, I think it's a very serendipitous capture. If it was, I think it's still fine. I also like the sepia. 8
This could be taken symbolically, perhaps... the bright, angelic little girl directly above the man in the shadows, handing down a gift to him... :) I would be curious to know if this is candid or staged, but it looks real enough to be convincing, making this a powerful photo. My only complaint with this is how indistinct the man at the bottom of the photo is. It took me a sec to figure out what the blob of darkness was. Also I personally think the editing is a little bit too much - the contrast between the blurred adults and the perfectly focused little girl is a little too abrupt.
Wow - I like how the brain has to work through this image at first. The processing & angle are very engaging, making the scene flop around a bit in your head. The title gives your mind a quick flick and then your there in a nanosecond. Images like this are why I come to DPC. -- 10 --
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
