smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

I'm a big fan of yours and of monochrome, however, in this case I like the original shot in color the most.

In monochrome, the bag doesn't stand out and I think it's important that it stands out. I like the yellow. I agree he looks resigned or beaten by life. I look and I see a lonely man with a kind face who is tired and has nowhere to rest but a hard, cold bench. He sits with all he owns (or cans he's collected) smoking a cigarette he found or bummed off someone, alone.

I like the detail better in the color version as well. I do love the rich tones in the monochrome. The story it tells is the same, but the color version says it stronger, IMHO.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I absolutely do not mean to make you squirm! On the other hand I think you are absolutely a real photographer, whatever that is (know it when I see it &c). You have "the eye." You know, especially in street photography, how to take what you see and run it through that clumsy-in-the-way box thing and make it come out as you saw it, and that to me is certainly one definition of a "real photographer." I've seen folks on the Hog take issue with the differences between "amateur" and "professional," and that tends to another "angels-head-of-a-pin" thing (I feel that you may call yourself a "professional" if the bulk of your income is derived from the sale of your pictures), but "amateur" comes from the Latin root "love" and yada yada, so what the ultimate difference is, I think, whether you can translate what you see into a picture that shows others what you saw, and makes them want to linger and study.

The reason I joined The Hog was that, after lurking for a few weeks and studying the digests, I perceived that this was a hugely diverse community of people with a common interest, but in all stages of development (no pun intended), from utter "newbie" (a term I dislike) to grizzled pro, and every possible thing in between. When I was in school we were urged—URGED—to spend as much time as possible looking at as many already-accepted-as-museum-quality pictures of all kinds as possible: paintings, photographs, whatever, and do what this spinoff section is doing: critique. Answer the basic questions: if it's good, why? Do you like it or not? Why?

So, not to make you fidget, if I were still teaching a class I would tell my students to Study Graham Smith's Street Stuff! Look how he prints (yeah, I know, but these look like prints). Look at his subject placement. Look what he includes. Wonder what he didn't. If you want to do street photography, Graham Smith is one of the masters you want to emulate until you find your own style.

That's what I'd tell 'em, but I still wouldn't do it myself. I prefer to shoot stuff I'm pretty sure won't shoot back. :-D

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

I don't have to worry about them shooting back...oh! I see, you mean with cameras :-)

Graham

nairiam Loc: Bonnie Scotland

My score :--

Critique : 0
Admiration: Max

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Superb shot! Like it much more than the previous version, since there is a clear focus and no distraction.

alycrom Loc: Aberdeen Scotland

After reading the posts above i went and had a peek at the original, i agree that it looks better with no colour however something else has melted with it. The bag is from Marks and Spencer foodhall which is known to be quite an expensive place to shop which is in direct comparison with the gentleman in the the image. Also he has his tin of extra strong lager at his side (he did not by that in M & S) which i did not notice at all in this image. So i guess it depends which side of the Atlantic you live as these things will probably mean nothing to non Brits

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Oh Graham! I really like this. The monochrome makes it feel even more "gritty", for lack of a better word. Or maybe it is the feeling of cold lonesomeness. I really like the monochrome.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Another question. When you say you used a slight coppertone on this what were you referring to. Is Coppertone a procedure or a color? Blend?

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Hello alycrom, perhaps he got the M&S bag from a bin? And a drinker will always find money for booze.

Thanks, Graham

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Here is an explanation, Country's Mama:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographic_print_toning

Graham

carlysue Loc: Columbus

I've been thinking on this off and on all weekend, Graham. I think that altho' the monochrome is excellent in every way, it could be a gentleman who stopped on the way home from the grocery store for a final draw on the cig since his wife won't let him smoke in the house. The yellow bag in the original image says, these are all my worldly possessions and I must keep them close. Maybe if I hadn't seen it first my take would have been different.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Thanks carlysue, I too think that the colour image is the better of the two. I posted the monochrome as some folks said that they thought it would be better that way. I always knew, despite my love for monochrome, which I preferred.

Graham