srt101fan

I've hesitated to post this image but here goes nothing. Another scan from an old B&W film. Lots of things wrong with it. I have questions re post-processing aspects but the reason for posting it here is to get your reaction to the content. If it's not inappropriate, I would like to post the original in the Post-Processing section and ask for input there.

Any thoughts on the content of this picture?

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I don't follow street photography much, but ones that catch my attention are usually because of a fleeting interaction among two or more people, a reaction of some sort, or the opposite, such as a crowd going about its business ignoring someone's distress.

The man in foreground appears to have just lit a cigarette, and the man coming up behind him is looking upward - at a sign, or someone speaking to him perhaps. There is no connection between these two. For me there is a slight interest in the contrasting clothing and body language of the two, but that is not enough to draw any lasting emotional response.

I will be interested to know what drew you to the scene, and why you were hesitant to post the photo. All here are friendly and supportive, simply wanting to share knowledge, learning and inspiration within courteous conversations.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

There's usually something of a story in street photos, or alternatively they may be making some kind of statement. Are you making the comment that street life can be random, diverse and not tidy? It would be a valid statement that could apply to life in general. On the other hand you may have just been trying to capture something of the atmosphere of Puerto Rico.

This shot may have strong connections for you, but casual observers won't share those connections. Having said that, the clothes and the cars suggested to me that it was the Caribbean or Cuba, so something of the character of the place has come across.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

As to the subject, it’s a nice street shot.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I think the white splat near the mans face is unfortunate. It does not visually translate to smoke and the posture looks a bit like he is taking a sip from a glass, so its confusing.

srt101fan

Thank you all for dropping in. Linda, you said “I will be interested to know what drew you to the scene”. The image I posted is a crop of a much larger street scene. I don’t remember if it was that scene or the two individuals that made me click the shutter. It might have been both. I often find pictures-within-pictures.

The Calle del Cristo in San Juan, P.R. is a narrow, historic street and major tourist draw. At one end is a small chapel (seen in the photo), the other end leads to a small plaza and an old Catholic church. Along the way you pass the second oldest cathedral in the Americas. And not too far from the cathedral along this street is a luxury hotel that was once a convent.

I took the photo many, many years ago but never did anything with the full image because it wasn’t very good. But the cropped “detail” you see here has always intrigued me - the human interest aspect, the juxtaposition of two very different life trajectories. The gent in the foreground is what in pre-PC days we used to call a “bum”. The other fellow, I believe, was a tourist.

The “bum” seems very content - casually leaning against the wall (note his crossed legs and position of the feet); enjoying a smoke (yes, fergmark, he was smoking); a free spirit? The other man probably just came off a cruise ship. His attire is not that of a local. Don’t know about now, but back then locals generally did not wear shorts. I believe that is a camera hanging from his hand. To me he seems somewhat intense, unsure, maybe confused. Speaking of attire, back then many of the tourists, especially women, dressed in ways that violated church etiquette (such as lack of head covering and wearing pants or short skirts). That caused some resentment with the locals.

So, I’m high on the cropped image because of its content. I’m thoroughly frustrated, however, that the original is not better and that the crop isn't higher resolution. My interest recently has been to edit the scanned negative to get the best cropped image, one that as far as possible enhances and visually clarifies those aspects of the scene that draw me to it. The effort may not be worth it. Another factor is that I'm still struggling to get decent scans.

Linda and R.G., your comments regarding “street” photography have me thinking. No, R.G., no statement intended. I don’t know when the term “street” was first used to define a photographic genre; I don’t remember ever hearing it in the old days. In a way it’s unfortunate that we have this categorization. I think it may predispose some people to positive or negative reactions in a way that doesn’t happen with other types of photography.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Mmm, I think if you poll a number of UHH members, they will tell you "birds" and "flowers" will pre-dispose them to dislike

I've not thought in the positive/negative terms you suggest, but maybe I'm looking for a little more substance (or do I just mean more "obvious" as to why photographed)? I'll ponder that thought, but if it's true it's because people photography in general is not of that much interest to me, so I would probably tend to not use a lot of energy trying to understand an image.

Many thanks! (and yeah, he does look like a tourist )