 "Broken Barrier #1" West Odessa, Texas |  "Broken Barrier #2" West Odessa, Texas |
I am just tickled pink with this pair. They represent shots that I would not have ordinarily gotten.
Yesterday I overcame a personal fear: I asked a stranger if I could take his picture. That's him on the left, but you probably already guessed that. I was taking pictures in an alley behind his house and he came out. He was curious but friendly. We talked for a bit, then suddenly, without thinking about it too much, I asked him if I could take his picture.
He answered a quick, flat, No. Then, a few seconds later, he asked why I wanted to take his picture. I told him because I was a budding photographer (whatever that means) and am always taking pictures of buildings and weeds, but hardly get a chance to take pictures of people and he had a great face. He said, "Me? Oh no I don't." And I proceeded to convince him. "Oh yes you do. You've got a great face with those wonderful blue eyes and everything about you says you are friendly, just like you are." The no changed into a yes, he put on a serious expression, and I took one nervous snap.
Half an hour later, in another alley, two little boys approached me to ask what I was doing. I told them I was taking pictures and how the old rusted shed I was taking pictures of reminded me of Art. One said he wanted to be an artist when he grew up and liked especially to draw horses. The other didn't know but when he asked me later if I was going to publish a book of my photographs, I said, I tell you what -- you grow up to be a publisher and we'll make a team.
Then I spied the laundry hanging on the line in their backyard. I asked the boys permission to take a picture of it, which made the two giggle a little. (Can 10 year old boys give permission? Why not.)
I know these photos represent more to me than they are on face value and might not be a normal This or That pairing. But I love them both for the broken barrier they represent, and am curious to see today how you'll vote.
Which photo do you prefer?
15 comments:
it's a hard choice because of your story. im curious if you told the man he would be on the 'net and if you might not need a model's release. that aside...from the standpoint of the photograph, i think i prefer the laundry line.
congrats on breaking thru your comfort zone.
~ds
#1. I'm all about the portraits!
He's a little grizzled, yet he's still got a little smile on his face. And in the background, there's the wide open spaces.
Clothes line for me - the sky color complments jeans - composition is non static - my eye moves gently and peacefully. Very nice moment.
Debi, I don't know whether you should have said you were used to taking pictures of weeds when trying to convince people to have their portrait taken!!
He has a great face with all the lines of experience, laughter lines and of facing the elements. So No. 1.
But I like the diagonal washing line on No. 2. Takes this photo out of the realms of ordinary, as washing lines often are. A great feeling of domesticity and people making themselves present against the wide open spaces.
I guess I like space, because my impulse drew me to the clothesline. As Sue said above, the stories are likely to have an effect on one's choice.
I did like the portrait because you could tell that an eighth of an inch movement in all of those lines and he'd be smiling pleasantly. As it is, there is still a trace of perplexed suspicion, tinged with a trace of hesitant pleasure in having his face described as you did.
Debi I am sooooo proud of you! I choose number one because ...it's a great photo, not over posed and he does gave a great face. I would be interested to see it in b&w as well. I also choose it because it was really brave of you to ask him! And brave of him to sit for it. I too have the same block..I see people doing something or even doing nothing but for some reason I'm drawn to them and want to photograph them..but I don't have the nad's to ask! So good on you. Having said that I love the clothes line shot. Especially with the rusty building..it is very tight!
Sometimes the story or motivation which makes up the whole picture (like the walk through the long grass) is more important than the end result of the image. Well done Debi.
I love both of these very much and for different reasons. The washing line is great with the particular sky colour making it look so homely (English homely not American homely) and calm. The angle you've taken it from is also interesting.
But the picture of the man is a FANTASTIC portrait. He has such an interesting and complex expression on his face that mixture of ruefulness and flattered ego - and such a great face for a photographe, a human landscape of feature and emotion. So I vote for the portrait only because you insist on the choice. I feel I could possibly take the picture of the line, but would never achieve that face. He is reflecting your charm and wiles back to us.
You go, Debi! That's the way to take pictures. #1 catches this man perfectly, the pensive yes but I'm not sure I'm really photographable kind of look. Anyone could take #2, but it takes a real photographer to get #1.
I am intrigued by all the socks on the washing line so that one gets my vote, because I know how much work it is to hang up socks to dry. It gives you sore arms. I think I also see some underwear there and all of it doesn't seem that white. There is something very personal about washing hanging out to dry on a washing line. It would have been good with a couple of bras and some hankies, but this is nice also. The jeans make me think of a very tough cowboy, but that is just my imagination speaking.
I do like the man's face and I adore your story, but I'm voting for #2. I like the clean laundry contrasted with the rusty building. And the jeans look beautiful against the color of the sky!
Both beautiful pictures. I think the man is thinking "what's with this crazy lady??" Personally, I prefer picture #2, but think picture #1 is a great portrait. You go, Girl!!!
Thank you everyone for voting.
Sue, I've looked into Model Releases before and based on my best knowledge, I believe this photo is ok legally (US laws) without a written one. I asked his permission, we were in a public place and because it is in my "portfolio" and/or is "editorial" in nature. Morally, I feel ok with it too because I did discuss it a little with him. I may go back to him and give him a print since it was so well received here.
Mr. K. I'm always glad when you weigh in. Your work humbles me.
John, I was pretty happy with this photo too for the reasons you state. Luckily for us here we have a pretty continual breeze, making the lines of the jeans all that much more appealing.
Bev, LOL! Freudian slip on my part? And I liked your comment about "making themselves present against the wide open spaces." I'll think about that now.
Anon, an eighth of an inch...I had to go back and look at the photo and you hit the nail on the head. He was flattered and just about to smile again.
Lisa, I'm glad to read about another photographer having the same block. No, not glad, but at least I don't feel alone. It takes nerve! But...I'll tell you what I told myself...the worst they could say is No. And since he said that to me, the worst happened and yet I got the shot anyway! With his permission. So much for the worst. ha
Wow, Frances. Thank you so much for the comments. I am very flattered, and encouraged. I also appreciate the distinction of English and American "homely." Quite different meanings!
Wow, Mom. Again, another huge encouragement. By golly, it makes me WANT to go out and be told No I can't take a picture of their face. ha
Irene, I laughed. I noticed that too, that the laundry wasn't all that well washed. I suspect the reason is two fold: if you are hanging your laundry out here these days it likely means you can't afford a dryer, and well, you probably don't have too good a washer either. And second, here the men work in really dirty (oil production) environments. It's hard to get those clothes clean. I should know. I was married to two oil field workers. At different times, mind you.
Andi, thank you for your vote. I love the face, but I love the laundry too. I couldn't decide if it was left up to me.
Nelda, LOL. It's probably a common reaction among men I meet. ha ha ha
Thank you everyone for your votes -- and I especially appreciate your encouragement on this pair. It was a milestone for me. Just barely, by one vote, it's dirty/clean laundry that wins. But if I were counting enthusiastic responses, it would be the portrait that wins. I couldn't be happier with both the winner and the loser comments. Thank you.
Hi Debi,
Yes, your story changed my mind. I am now going for #1.
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
#1 for me and please check your email for a little test on ol-blue-eyes!
I'm going with #1 here, too. That face has stories and has lived life. It's also not a "beautiful" face (in the sense of Hollywood-defined), which makes it far more interesting. This is a lovely portrait of the common man. Glad he let you take his picture!
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