The Image: A quick train ride to the city. I had an image in this tunnel in mind for a couple of days, but didn't know what I would get when I arrived. I knew I wanted the blur of people, but I wanted something still that would be a focal point, preferably a person.
I arrived, and there was Robert. I set up my tripod and started shooting and this is the final result of about 50 clicks.
I introduced myself and he was really nice, a great man, a living tragedy. I asked him a few questions about his life and bought him a Pie and Hot Chocolate, which he really appreciated. I left him some money as well.
I am sure I will pass his way again and will always make sure he is fed and warm.
The Edit: Cropped, duplicated and did a multiply layer mask. Some colour adjustment layer masks, some USM and Noise reduction layer masks, a HDR layer mask, some dodge and burn...it got a fair massage. I converted to black and white as well, but thought I would go for the colour...
The Prediction: either awesome or a bomb, so I won't predict.
[Aug. 16th, 2009 10:11:53 PM]
A couple of hours to go...watched this finally climb over 7 after starting life in the mid 5's. Was hovering in the 6.95XX for most of the week. I am keeping my hopes up that it might ribbon and that that ribbon just might be a blue.
POST: WOW! A red ribbon! awesome. This image is a special one, and I am really thankful for the votes and comments, but more so, what it does to me personally, and how I will view the world from here on. Thanks everyone, and thanks Robert. I owe you another pie and sauce!
Statistics
Place: 2 out of 93 Avg (all users): 7.0588 Avg (commenters): 8.7826 Avg (participants): 6.6176 Avg (non-participants): 7.2059 Views since voting: 7320 Views during voting: 301 Votes: 136 Comments: 84 Favorites: 37 (view)
Great image Enzo. Congratulations on the red!
Say a prayer for me and my team...we're are heading to Nicaragua next week for a medical mission. We are so excited!
Congratulations on the ribbon. This is a very poignant mix of the homeless man with nowhere better to be and the blurs of the people scurrying along their busy way.
This is a phenomenal shot, and like it better after multiple viewings. I like how the effect is used to show how the strap-hangers are so common to him that they just blur on by, hour after hour...great essay.
This is very good work Enzo and I do like the comments you have added, it gives the picture more meaning. Quite how any voters can mark this as a three is beyond me. Keep up the good work - Jules
amazing photo! with it being on the the front page i keep coming back to look at it again and again so i figured id better mark it as a fav, great job i love it! oh and corgrats~
Well not sure what you want me to say about this stunning image. It is excellent.
The only nitpick I have is the yellow arrow, when I saw it, I my eye wouldn't stop looking at it. Your horizon is a tiny bit tilted but I think you wanted it that way,
Very interesting and beautiful photo. It shows how something or someone (e.g. a homeless person) can be invisible to masses of people passing by, yet so distinctly visible to the artist and camera. Congratulation on the ribbon.
AWESOME result my friend..... Always wonderful to see someone capture the true feeling of the life of someone else fortunate than yourself.....You have done this remarkably.
Perfect in everyway.....THANK YOU..... love shezs
Congrats Enzo on a wonderful image. I walk through this underpass a few days a week and often see Robert and give him money too. I'm intrigued by the drawings he does in the margins of the pavement and the words he writes, although I don't really understand a lot of them. Must admit I'm always just making it to work in a rush!
However I never saw this place as a picture, I guess on a daily basis we often do walk around blind to our surroundings.
So far you've taken a photo of the building I work in and ribboned! and now my journey to work and ribboned! I've never seen these daily images quite so beautifully as you!
Very glad you engaged the gentleman and offered some companionship for the moment and some assistance. All too often I think we "take advantage" of situations like this without following through - you and Sandy and generally the kind of folks who DO stop to help, so good on ya, mate! And congrats on the ribbon.
WOW ENZO . this is incredible .. the fantastic detail and clarity on the guy sitting down and the ppl like ghosts walking past ..
on so many levels this is just amazing .. it tells a story in such a powerful way .. so many stories actually ..
congrats on the red .. :)
I added to my favorites, this is a stunning image. Congrats for the ribbon, i think it should be blue because you did a great job catching this moment.
Enzo, you're a special person. Beautiful picture, very emotive, and a beautiful story, very sad. A godo photo shoudl always stir an emotion, this certainly does!
Looks like the processing and emotion of Enzo. Lighting is emotive. I can't stop laughing at the yellow arrow, well placed surprise! The blurred face looking at, then away from, the homeless fella really sells the image for me. Hope this makes the top 5.
The blur of the people rushing past adds to the impression of this homeless man. He sits against the wall, with the world ignoring him as they go on about their own business.
What an fantastically powerful image. The lighting is superb. I fear the literalists will mark you down, but clearly the best entry and I'd give it the Blue.
I gave two each of 10's and 9's then five 8's the rest were 7 or under. You got an 8. Initially I rated the highest scores to the natural not manmade shots but this one rose above many of those. It meets the challenge, it's technically spot on and it tells a story to boot. Well done! One small bothersome spot is the yellow arrow in that guys crotch. Maybe desaturating that spot would have helped minimize that.
Clearly a hotpasta photo... and my tip for the blue in this challenge. I love the story this image tells, with the juxtaposition between the communters and the homeless. You've processed this brilliantly... colours and composition are perfect.
H O M E : Flinders Street Tunnel 9:50:55 am
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
