chapter 358

Portraits

freudian slip not showing

8/10/2014

This is a one percenter. NOT one of the 99% chapter images from MY portfolio. But I use the odd extraneous photo to illustrate a point or where I have a connection with the subject.

Disclaimer aside, this image was submitted by a photo club friend, Jay Freud, for our "backsides" theme this week. Without getting too psychoanalytical a good photo should have impact; should evoke an emotional response. Various qualitative elements are used here to bring this about. Shooting in black and white avoids the distraction of color. The soft lighting and gradation through the blinds silhouettes and draws your eye to the central focal point. The contrasting lines give texture, warmth and a soft feeling to the form. Also, I just wanted to see if anyone was still reading my blog.

I shot this portrait of Jay from my Kayak when we were looking for subjects on an outdoor shoot at the steamboat rally. The light was striking him at a high angle accenting his profile and highlighting his searching hidden photographer's eye and camera. My style is more random/shotgun compared with his controlled methodical approach so I only have the light available at the time. I'd have to say his photo better captures the moment.

My "backsides" submittal was also a near black and white, but with a different feel. The morning fog had creeped in on little horsehooves while premiere thoroughbred trainer Todd Pletcher and his Dad Jake intently watched over their stable of up and comers. I can still hear the background rhythmic hoof beats on the soft dirt, but maybe you just have to be there.

I caught Paul, another camera club guy (and Amsterdam Lithuanian connection), in his typical pose at a local car show. He's a car guy with 90% of his subjects being cars no matter what the theme. You just knew he would have the rear trunk of a car for the "backsides" theme. He looks for detail, color, contrast and geometric form.

Went to see James Cotton, 79 the premier super harp bluesman of our time. It was a free packed house concert and moved indoors to beautiful Proctors Theater in Schenectady. The NorthEast Blues Society had the first 20 rows roped off for their members but after the opening act I went down to the front row anyway so I could get a better portrait shot. Just my pocket camera as with these other shots. It's my main thing, convenient and good enough.

Matt Mirabile was the opening excellent act and made a nice contrast between young and old. I was impressed and had also shot his group a few years ago.

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