jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Took a fresh look again this morning and it is definitely the B&W. The whole scene looks like it was intended for B&W and puts more emphasis on the loneliness of the woman dining alone. Really is a great street scene capture!!

SATS Loc: Belgium

I am completely with jaymatt on this one. I would like to make a few further observations, firstly about the photo and then about the subject. This is a variation on a style of photograph which I believe Robert Frank popularized, namely windows on a train or windows on a bus. Everybody occupying one space but the partition between the windows dividing them into separate lives in separate compartments. In this particular case, only one life.

Firstly the color photo. The thing that completely grabs my attention and wont go away is the yellow sauce bottle in the left hand frame. This with the reflection of the fluorescent light in the mirror is the only thing I want to look at. In the main frame, what a marvelous subject. Anyone that has tried their hand at street, knows you grab the shot when things happen before you and it is only in post that you notice things that could have been done a little differently at the time. In this case it would have been one step to the right. This would have done three things. Firstly it would have allowed the open window to stay in shot. Secondly it would have removed the highlight at the side from either a glass door or a mirror and lastly it would have removed the guys shoulder from the shot. Even though this person and the subject are not engaging, cutting him out would have enhanced the subjects feeling of isolation and in my view, made a stronger composition. Try a double click download and move the slider bar so that the highlight from the glass door / mirror is just removed and see what you think. So far as the color version is concerned, I don't think anything is lost from the story if it is cropped towards the back of the left hand ketchup bottle. The B&W version is a fine photo and is good to go with or without the various crops mentioned.

It is the contradiction of looking a kindly person but being alone that makes the photo interesting. She looks like she is making the effort to join in but feels slightly out of place. I am guessing that is why she has taken her pearls / beads off and draped them over the condiments. Their green color contrasted with the predominant red of the photo is the one thing the color version has over the B&W IMO. It is the not knowing and wondering about her situation that keeps you coming back to it.

Overall, this is a super photograph. Were you busted Voss? Did she give any indication that she knew you were there? I think if I was spotted in this situation I would have gone over and said “Hello” through the open window and told her what I was up to.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

SATS Loc: Belgium

Thx

Voss

Guys, I want to thank you all for your comments and suggestions. It looks like the B&W is favored, but not overwhelmingly so.

Just a word in defense of the color shot. Normally I prefer the B&W in this kind of comparison. But in this case, the unusually bright and beat-up paint job seemed a part of the overall visual feel of the scene. This is downtown Galveston, not a border town where warm, colorful paint is more the norm. (E.g. Laredo boasts a 95% Hispanic population.) Just by its unusual nature it might rate some attention.

Thanks again, and I feel better now that I couldn't pick a favorite.

Voss

Thanks for the assessment, SATS. I have to agree fully about one more step to the right. (I was walking in that direction and should have kept going.) Not an excuse, but this was a grab shot from the hip and was about 30 degrees off the vertical.

Regarding the items in the "empty" window, that's a much tougher item. I was trying to emphasize her aloneness (and the step to the right would have helped).I left the left window in the photo to add to the feeling of emptiness. The problem is, I find that having two windows gives a certain feeling of divisiveness to the photo. I'm still wondering if I should have cropped at the blue pillar and used the pillars as a frame. But then it feels a bit cramped. Just can't decide, although your catchup-bottle suggestion may be the right compromise.

Thanks again for the assessment. I'll have to work on doing what I advise others to do, and try to get shots from more different angles. (Right, SueScott? )

Oh, I think I was busted. She was turning her head toward me when I got this shot. Probably should have said "Hi," but continued to move on, as is my custom.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

I prefer the color version because the red in the building frames the man in red at the table. (edit - oops! that's a woman in red!)

Voss

Thanks for responding, Sue.

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

Hi SATS,

I am very envious that you are living in the Land Of moules and beer. Lucky guy.

Belgium is a most wonderful country, and the best kept secret from vacationers.



Only one suggestion for you; please use paragraphs so I can separates your ideas and thoughts.

I am very old, and get tired reading sentences that on and ln.

No offense intended.

Thank you,

Tom

SATS Loc: Belgium

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the compliment re Belgium. Originally I am from the UK but have lived near Antwerp for over 20 years.

Thanks for the feedback. If I have a long comment to make I will try Reuters style just for you.

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

And, Thank you too. I have been to the UK for more often than Belgium (in the 70's and 80's.), and enjoyed the friendly people, historic sights, and especially the "Real Ale" very much.

In my opinion the UK has some of the best "brews" I've ever tasted (and I don't mean the high volume brewers either). An, unlike most Americans, ice cold beer does not appeal to me. My favorite, as I recall, was Mansfields (brewed near Chesterfield I think?).

But, I digress...

Stephan G

...And leave many of us athirst!

woodfrog Loc: Tennessee

The holiday attire translates better in color.

Voss

That it does.