Paul's comment pretty much nailed it: "perhaps you couldn't quite believe what you were seeing either." Yes. Disbelief. Then repulsion. In fact, this caught me so off guard that I almost forgot I had a camera. The unfortunate thing (or not) was that I had it manually set for brighter conditions. So I took a quick hip shot, something I'm actually doing much less of these days, and got a nicely framed, but severely underexposed image. (The guy looked much more threatening in real life, if you can imagine that. I wasn't going to linger or ask anyone to say cheese.)
As for the low score, I like to think that I earned it. It's not a pretty picture. Anyway, I appreciate all the comments.
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Place: 341 out of 350 Avg (all users): 4.3597 Avg (commenters): 6.2500 Avg (participants): 4.3830 Avg (non-participants): 4.3111 Views since voting: 1505 Views during voting: 234 Votes: 139 Comments: 29 Favorites: 7 (view)
Brian... I just saw this for the first time. Raw, powerful, award winning (unfortunately) photo. I think these types of images only happen when a photog is always prepared, with camera in hand, and a unique awareness to everything around him/her.
I cant say how relieved I am to see that this photo was journalistic. I'm glad I didn't vote though, because if I had, my anger and disgust at the scene would have affected my vote.
This is a brilliant photo in that is inspired more emotion than any other photo I have seen on this site. Well done.
Now.... I just wish childrens aid could get a hold of this little guy, and take him away from his parents'/guardians' stupidity.
This one just blew me away. I was one of the 8's. It totally succeeds in one of photography's great jobs; to draw attention, focus attention, to the bitter weirdness that is all around us. Well done, friend!
Wow, Brian. I've tried "from the hip" a few times and my aim is terrible! This is one of those photos that make me glad the photographer didn't get caught. Is that a cigarette or a blunt?
I hate when I've left the camera on manual and think it's on aperture priority. I appreciate the street style, but I think it would have been retained the grit even with improved clarity and exposure.
The title is fantastic, for sure. How on earth did you not stop and stare? I'm sure I would have done that and made a comment and gotten in trouble lol. Wow, I'm just speechless about what you captured here.
Ridiculously low vote that highlights DPC's obsession with technical perfection at the expense of recognizing the type of image that can differentiate a photograph from other types of art. So much more unique and difficult then the typical picture we see around here. The recognition of this moment, and the ability and willingness to capture it, is light years ahead of the typical long-shutter-speed-tripod-in-the-surf type of image that scores well here.
Didn't get around to voting this one. I'm not sure what I would have voted it, but it is clearly pure street photography. Pretty appalling to be giving a child cigarettes.
Is that kid smoking? or is the adult giving them something else? either way cigarettes around kids isn't good. Intriguing and disturbing image that is made more powerful by the noise and blur. It's like we're seeing this happen from our peripheral vision.
I would hope that this photo is journalistic in its intent, and to show what is happening, and not an attempt to glorify what the adult male in this shot is doing. What he is doing is child abuse.
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.
Positives:Well, there is certainly plenty of documentary merit in this image and the way it is shot communicates a covert feel.
Critical stuff: It looks like the man is offering a cigarette to this child - if that's the case and I had my way, I happily see someone shoot him in the face. That's how strongly I feel about it. However, back to your photo - it is difficult to be too critical, I interpret it as a shot from the hip with a camera phone - perhaps you couldn't quite believe what you were seeing either.
Overall: Good photograph? - No Powerful image? Yes.
while the image quality is not there I think that you can capture an important statement about society, good job always having a camera (phone?) handy.
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