Sunday, January 18, 2009

Peter 009 - Phil



I'd taken a photo of Phil's lights a week or so ago (without him seeing), and today he had made a sign declaring that this was to be his last day at the markets.

He and his wife are moving to Korea where he is taking up a university position, which seems about as far away as one can be from making paper lanterns and selling them at the markets on the Sunshine Coast, but it's a move home for her, and a bit of deja-vu for them.

Once again, a pleasant chat which completely threw me off my photographic game. The picture is what I set out to achieve, and it sort of works as a composition but its a bit soft because me taking anything handheld at 1/15 of a second without shaking is being wildly optimistic. It was a good idea at the time, and one I'll try not to have in future! I had my proper flash with me, but I was intent on getting that "one man and his lights" sort of feel!

5 comments:

Julie said...

Oh, I think I see what you mean by a bit soft: the focus is not totally sharp. But I kinda like that for this one. It works for me because of the look on Phil's face: slightly abashed and a little apprehensive so in my mind the softness of the focus reinforces this. I always look for the psychological impact rather than the technical impact. I am that sort of little black duck.

As for the composition, it is just terrific: the shapes the slight foreground, the lighting, the dark background, even the muted colours.

Interesting project this Hundred Strangers thing. Moreso than I had ever dreamt.

freefalling said...

I like this one a lot.
I agree with Julie - it's the look on his face that does it.
And everything else she says - ditto.

(oh yeah - and Julie you were right about something else, too!! I DID love the photo of the decrepit old Queenslander).

freefalling said...

Just a couple of links.
Thought you might like to see these faces:
I've been a fan for a while.

http://gerrygomez.blogspot.com/search/label/There%20Is%20The%20World

http://gerrygomez.blogspot.com/search/label/Tattoo

bitingmidge said...

Thanks Letitia, fabulous. If I got just onelike any of those in my life I think I'd be happy!

Great links!

Ann said...

I think you're concentrating too much on the technical side. Its about the person and that's what you've captured.