Somdutt Prasad  


Man on crutches by Somdutt Prasad

October 2024 - Man on crutches

October 2024 - Somdutt Prasad

Original

About the Image(s)

I saw this man walking along this morning, I had gone out with nothing particular in mind, but was carrying my camera. I asked him to stand against a pillar and he obliged, so I took some shots.

The colour image looks ok to me, but I thought that converting to mono would allow me give a more gritty look, reflecting this persons determination, in spite of being on crutches and having a hump (which is not visible in this image), he is soldiering on through life. I think the mono conveys the story better.

What do you all think? Should I just have left it as colour?


This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted




Diana Magor   Diana Magor
They both could do very well. The colour has vibrance and I think the face is better because it is brighter. However I also like the mono - as you say it gives a feel of determination and grit. I think the left side (as you view it) of his face is a bit dark round the eyes and on my monitor, the hat is starting to merge into the background, so maybe it needs tweaking a little.   Posted: 10/10/2024 19:30:30



Stephen Levitas   Stephen Levitas
Hello Som,
Following up after Diana, I prefer the color version for the reasons she said. But also because this man's shirt, head wrapping, and beads are so colorful.
Would you mind telling us more, if you know, about this man's dress and accoutrements? The orange garment, the red head wrapping, the beads? Is he a Sikh? I presume the head wrapping contains his long hair. What about the marking on his forehead?
Thank you.   Posted: 10/11/2024 01:47:21



Manel Puigcerver   Manel Puigcerver
Well, personally I prefer the monochrome version, but of course it's a matter of opinions, all of them right.

I like the photo very much, it's a strong portrait with very nice grey tones. I agree with Diana, the left part of the face (especially the eye) is a bit dark, and the hat too black. I suspect that the photo will improve if you lift these shadows.

Anyway, it's a very good photo. Congratulations!   Posted: 10/11/2024 17:35:57



Tom McCreary   Tom McCreary
I like the mono better. The color has such vivid colors that they distract from the story. You captured the man very well and I like his expression. I like the black hat, and the darker eye on the left does not bother me. I do agree with Diana that you are lacking separation between the hat and the background. I played with the sliders in conversion to mono to add separation. Overall, I really like the image and the story that it tells.   Posted: 10/11/2024 18:34:26
Comment Image



Somdutt Prasad   Somdutt Prasad
It is the time of Bengals biggest festival "Durga Puja" during which besides all the festivities a lot of religious rituals are performed.

This man is dressed in the traditional safron colour, He is not a sikh. He has just covered his long hair in a red cloth.

The markings on his head are "tika" a coloured paste consisting of ashes and vermillion which a priest would put on one's forehead after doing "puja"   Posted: 10/11/2024 19:45:02



Somdutt Prasad   Somdutt Prasad
The beads are "Rudraksha" which are worn as a necklace, but are also help in the hand as one recites prayers, somewhat like a rosary
  Posted: 10/11/2024 19:47:12
Stephen Levitas   Stephen Levitas
Thank you for the extra information. It is almost like traveling there with this extra detail. My wife has made four trips to India, and I went with her on three of them. Our daughter-in-law's parents are from Sri Lanka. My wife is a philosophy professor, emerita, and has taught religious philosophy, both eastern and western.   Posted: 10/22/2024 00:38:36



Wes Odell   Wes Odell
Given some thought to our practice of selecting color vs mono, ..... to have a group of photographers who are all enrolled in a Study of Mono, predicts the response except in obviously bizarre situations.
I think your mono conversion is well done and fits the subject.
It (maybe) could be lightened just a bit overall.   Posted: 10/19/2024 01:37:30