I know the challenge details mention taking a photograph of someone *taking a photograph*, but this idea was far more interesting to me. :) I'm sure I'll get some DNMC comments, but I can live with that. :D
Did my best to make myself look homeless (didn't hurt that I was badly in need of a shave), made my trusty sign (which might come in handy given California's budget issues), pre-focused the camera to the spot where I'd be sitting, chose my camera settings, then used the timer to snag this self portrait.
Statistics
Place: 23 out of 95 Avg (all users): 5.9361 Avg (commenters): 7.5263 Avg (participants): 6.0000 Avg (non-participants): 5.9254 Views since voting: 1683 Views during voting: 552 Votes: 266 Comments: 23 Favorites: 0
Initial impression: Not the strongest shot in the challenge, but its message (literally) is very poignant and seems to have struck a chord with voters. I voted in this challenge and gave you a 5.
Technical: Comp is dangerously close to being centred, body language and expression are quite good. Like the film camera and tripod, very good idea and adds to the concept. ISO and shutter speed seem very high. I might have tried slowing both down, tremendously, and going for greater DOF.
Artistic: I worked with street people in the poorest neighbourhood in Canada, Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Had I seen a person looking this relatively clean and well-fed on the streets, I'd have pinned them as a Twinkie - usually a kid from the 'burbs, playing at being homeless (often in a $200 sleeping bag). So I'd have liked to see a little more dirtiness and scruffiness about your person, hollows under your eyes and cheekbones. Even just rubbing the backs of your hands in soot or dirt would help add to the idea of someone really down on their luck.
Overall: Good concept and execution, but for me just needed those few extra details to really sell me as someone truly desperate. A few handfuls of dirt and you would have gotten a 7 from me, and probably broken 6 in voting. But no fear, according to an upcoming movie trailer, California will slide into the ocean in 2012. Be patient! ;-)
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