David Scarisbrick
November 2023 - Untitled
Original
About the Image(s)
The photo was taken in August this year... street photo in the old streets around the harbour in Oamaru (New Zealand) just an hour from our home. Guy came round the corner on his old bike and I got the picture. The day was quite overcast and dull light, so the original is very flat. I choose a high contrast black and white conversion. I liked the old time gritty feel and textures with a slight blur of the cycle movement rather than stopping the action.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
David, so nice to virtually meet you. WELCOME TO OUR GROUP!
Your image ticks all of the boxes I look for in a well-crafted image. I love it! You've captured "the decisive moment" with a great composition. I don't know if it was intentional, but the subject has some motion blur - an effect that works well for the overall feeling your image evokes for me. What a great story it tells! Additionally, your edit and gritty, monochrome rendering are particularly well suited to the subject matter in my opinion. Congratulations on a job well done.
In our group we have traditionally indicated the camera, lens and settings info in the description. Would you share that with the group?
Lastly, I just have to say I'm jealous that you get to live in NZ! We visited for a month last February and fell in love with your country and its people. If we were younger, we'd move there in a heartbeat! …and SO many amazing photo opportunities! I look forward to seeing more of your work. Posted: 11/05/2023 08:04:32
Your image ticks all of the boxes I look for in a well-crafted image. I love it! You've captured "the decisive moment" with a great composition. I don't know if it was intentional, but the subject has some motion blur - an effect that works well for the overall feeling your image evokes for me. What a great story it tells! Additionally, your edit and gritty, monochrome rendering are particularly well suited to the subject matter in my opinion. Congratulations on a job well done.
In our group we have traditionally indicated the camera, lens and settings info in the description. Would you share that with the group?
Lastly, I just have to say I'm jealous that you get to live in NZ! We visited for a month last February and fell in love with your country and its people. If we were younger, we'd move there in a heartbeat! …and SO many amazing photo opportunities! I look forward to seeing more of your work. Posted: 11/05/2023 08:04:32
Hi Michael, thank you... Sony A7iii, 35mm, 1/50th and f5.6... Sigma 35mm f2 which I use as a walkabout street lens.
Posted: 11/05/2023 22:47:58
Posted: 11/05/2023 22:47:58
David,
Welcome to the group. I joined the group this summer and have found it to be very helpful. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
A visit to New Zealand is on our bucket list...
Rob Coleman Posted: 11/05/2023 08:54:28
Welcome to the group. I joined the group this summer and have found it to be very helpful. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
A visit to New Zealand is on our bucket list...
Rob Coleman Posted: 11/05/2023 08:54:28
Thanks Robert, and good to meet you. Posted: 11/05/2023 22:48:37
Welcome to Group 3, David!
For me, your conversion to b&w makes your image feel vintage, especially with the truck in the background and textured walls. The movement of the bicycle gives the feeling of being suddenly alert as the bicycle is headed towards me. It's a wonderful story telling photo!
I visited New Zealand 13 years ago, but didn't visit the eastern coast of the South Island. You live in a lovely country with so much natural beauty. I look forward to seeing more of your photos.
Posted: 11/06/2023 09:02:30
For me, your conversion to b&w makes your image feel vintage, especially with the truck in the background and textured walls. The movement of the bicycle gives the feeling of being suddenly alert as the bicycle is headed towards me. It's a wonderful story telling photo!
I visited New Zealand 13 years ago, but didn't visit the eastern coast of the South Island. You live in a lovely country with so much natural beauty. I look forward to seeing more of your photos.
Posted: 11/06/2023 09:02:30
Thanks Ruth, great to meet you and the group. David Posted: 11/07/2023 01:21:11
(Groups 83 & 87)
Good day, David!
I was asked to stop by and view your intriguing Street scene rendering. On a compositional structure level, the work hints at the style/features of Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) and Paul Strand (1890-1976).
The harsh blacks and whites (High-Key) present a very nostalgic aesthetic (perhaps even film-nor). The key component, in my opinion, is the movement/action of the bike rider (our main subject) within his surroundings composed of (supporting actors) or featured within the space the biker resides. Its a lovely scene that may be interpreted in describing local vernacular, too.
"points to Ponder"
Though the overall High-Key presentation is surely a viable one, it may be contributing to lessening the blurring of the biker (I suggested earlier, is a powerful catalyst) in creating one type of emotional connection to spectators. So, also try experimenting outside the High-Key aesthetic window for alternative aesthetic variants.
Regardless, overall, the work is well visualized and crafted! I look forward to seeing more Street scene compositions from you!
Lance A. Lewin
PSA B&W Global Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director Posted: 11/06/2023 13:11:39
I was asked to stop by and view your intriguing Street scene rendering. On a compositional structure level, the work hints at the style/features of Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) and Paul Strand (1890-1976).
The harsh blacks and whites (High-Key) present a very nostalgic aesthetic (perhaps even film-nor). The key component, in my opinion, is the movement/action of the bike rider (our main subject) within his surroundings composed of (supporting actors) or featured within the space the biker resides. Its a lovely scene that may be interpreted in describing local vernacular, too.
"points to Ponder"
Though the overall High-Key presentation is surely a viable one, it may be contributing to lessening the blurring of the biker (I suggested earlier, is a powerful catalyst) in creating one type of emotional connection to spectators. So, also try experimenting outside the High-Key aesthetic window for alternative aesthetic variants.
Regardless, overall, the work is well visualized and crafted! I look forward to seeing more Street scene compositions from you!
Lance A. Lewin
PSA B&W Global Photography Mentor
PSA South Atlantic Area Membership Director Posted: 11/06/2023 13:11:39
Hi Lance, good to meet you and thank you for the great feedback and suggestions. I will have a go at a softer B&W interpretation.
Best Regards, David Posted: 11/07/2023 01:18:07
Best Regards, David Posted: 11/07/2023 01:18:07
(Groups 83 & 87)
Just an alternative, David! : ) Posted: 11/13/2023 12:49:58
David, welcome to Group 3! I have learned so much from participating in the dialogue groups. Your image this month is very pleasing to me. You are right, converting to black and white really gives the scene a gritty, nostalgic feel. And capturing the cyclist right as he turned the corner with a little blur really tells the story. Very nice image. Again, welcome! Posted: 11/11/2023 18:46:39
Hi David,
Welcome to group 3! For this image, the conversion to B&W is a good choice. The scene with the old brick walls, the truck and the man in a bike give your photo a retro look. The vignette around the edges also helps cover the pipes on the foreground that could otherwise be distracting. The biker's motion blur adds more effect to your image, especially it was captured when he made a turn at the corner. Well done!
Posted: 11/27/2023 16:04:41
Welcome to group 3! For this image, the conversion to B&W is a good choice. The scene with the old brick walls, the truck and the man in a bike give your photo a retro look. The vignette around the edges also helps cover the pipes on the foreground that could otherwise be distracting. The biker's motion blur adds more effect to your image, especially it was captured when he made a turn at the corner. Well done!
Posted: 11/27/2023 16:04:41