Kerry Abshire
April 2026 - Resting After a Long Day
About the Image(s)
I used my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 shutter at 1/2000 because I was shooting some action shots and noticed this lady sitting on the steps of the cathedral in Jackson Square, New Orleans. I shoot a lot in Aperture Priority and I use a Canon 90D. My ISO was 1250 and I was shooting at 90mm. I edit photos in Photoshop, pull into Camera Raw and clean up in Topaz Photo.
I drove out to New Orleans, LA to go and do some street photography. New Orleans is about a 2 hour drive from my home. There are always some very interesting people walking about in the French Quarter.
I crouched down, low to the ground to make this image more personal without invading her space. For the most part her eyes stayed closed, but she held that cigar in her fingers and had a bottle of Kentucky Whiskey by her side.
13 comments posted
Kerry, interesting image. The body language and the face expression meaning is more towards a depressed person, perhaps an alcoholic given by the shape of the bottle with the yellow label on the left side of her lap. The additional feature of smoking a cigar, and the condition of her hair probably adds confirmation to my assessment. Image is sharp. Posted: 04/02/2026 19:00:48
Thank you for your comments. I agree. Posted: 04/06/2026 23:07:25
Kerry,
This is a very powerful and candid environmental portrait. My eye was immediately drawn to the vibrant, colorful patterns of her blouse, which create a startling contrast against the more weathered reality of her surroundings and appearance.
Your choice to crouch down low to the ground was very effective; it gives the viewer a more intimate, eye-level perspective that feels personal. The framing, with the subject positioned in the third of the frame, allows the viewer to take in the details-the cigar and the bottle-which add so much layers to the narrative of the 'long day' you've titled. It's a compelling study of texture and character in the French Quarter. Posted: 04/03/2026 14:49:19
This is a very powerful and candid environmental portrait. My eye was immediately drawn to the vibrant, colorful patterns of her blouse, which create a startling contrast against the more weathered reality of her surroundings and appearance.
Your choice to crouch down low to the ground was very effective; it gives the viewer a more intimate, eye-level perspective that feels personal. The framing, with the subject positioned in the third of the frame, allows the viewer to take in the details-the cigar and the bottle-which add so much layers to the narrative of the 'long day' you've titled. It's a compelling study of texture and character in the French Quarter. Posted: 04/03/2026 14:49:19
Linda,
Wow, thank you so much for the detail assessment. Your comments made me go back and look at my photo again. I'm very happy that you noticed my ground view photo. For these types of images, I never want to shoot from above. I want to give the subject my full on attention and make them the star of the photo...not give it a feel of "looking down on them." Posted: 04/06/2026 23:09:25
Wow, thank you so much for the detail assessment. Your comments made me go back and look at my photo again. I'm very happy that you noticed my ground view photo. For these types of images, I never want to shoot from above. I want to give the subject my full on attention and make them the star of the photo...not give it a feel of "looking down on them." Posted: 04/06/2026 23:09:25
As a composite, this is a highly emotive capture. The image seems to be inviting an observer to initiate some sympathetic conversation, basically from the pouty, hopeless position of her lips. The lines on her face and the placement of her hand all point to those lips, which tell a huge part of the story.
There's also so many pictures-within-the picture. They themselves would be interesting. The rez seems to be sufficient enough to zoom her face, or just her face and hand that her chin is resting on. Even the hand holding the stogie by itself would be an interesting capture. Or a wider crop that would include that hand and the bottle.
This is nicely done and captured my attention for quite a while, my imagination whirling about what the subject is thinking.
Many thanks. Posted: 04/08/2026 20:28:15
There's also so many pictures-within-the picture. They themselves would be interesting. The rez seems to be sufficient enough to zoom her face, or just her face and hand that her chin is resting on. Even the hand holding the stogie by itself would be an interesting capture. Or a wider crop that would include that hand and the bottle.
This is nicely done and captured my attention for quite a while, my imagination whirling about what the subject is thinking.
Many thanks. Posted: 04/08/2026 20:28:15
Thank you so much. I'm glad the image captured your attention. This is always the intent of my photos. Try to draw the viewer's attention and hold them there for a while. Thank you for the wonderful critique. Posted: 04/09/2026 01:47:30
(Groups 2 & 56)
I am just visiting and my attention was caught by your photo of this lady. The image tells so much about her. It shows her reliance on her whisky, the pleasure of her cigar and a vague look of hopelessness, and yet acceptance, on her face.
There is a real story about her in your image and "there but for fortune go you or I".
I think this is a great image.
Well done! Posted: 04/12/2026 23:16:24
There is a real story about her in your image and "there but for fortune go you or I".
I think this is a great image.
Well done! Posted: 04/12/2026 23:16:24
Thank you Martin for the wonderful explanation of what you see. That warms my heart knowing I've created a genuine reaction from you. Posted: 04/13/2026 02:22:26
Kerry this is a powerful image that, as mentioned from others, tells a story and is likely to be a sad one. Your choice to get at the same level of the subject helps to avoid the feeling of dominance that is a risk in this kind of images.
I guess this is also the kind of images that has been recently raised some debates about photographers regarding possible ethical issues of using a person social condition to create an image without permission (since you used a telephoto lens). I am not judging on this, but I wish to hear what others in the group think about it.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/13/2026 15:42:30
I guess this is also the kind of images that has been recently raised some debates about photographers regarding possible ethical issues of using a person social condition to create an image without permission (since you used a telephoto lens). I am not judging on this, but I wish to hear what others in the group think about it.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/13/2026 15:42:30
Thank you for the wonderful feedback. I sincerely appreciate that. It's always a dilemma. What I most often do when I'm in bigger cities and I photograph someone, I usually provide a tip to them to show my appreciation and let them know I captured a photo. If asked to delete, I simply delete it. I always try to be as respectful as I can even in a public space. Posted: 04/13/2026 22:43:28
Hi Kerry, this is really a good habit. Thank you for clarifying it. I much appreciated.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/14/2026 11:44:11
best wishes
Michele Posted: 04/14/2026 11:44:11
On the street you do not need approval, unless is a child. Of course the way Kerry proceeds is commendable. Posted: 04/15/2026 14:39:12
Kerry - Wonderfully captured and composed. Not much more to add to all the other comments other than my question as well as to the ethics of photographing people who may be compromised in some way. I think asking first if it is OK to photograph may be a more ethical approach (though you lose any spontaneity). B Posted: 04/14/2026 13:06:08