Lance Lewin
About the Image(s)
Happy November! In this months featured work (part of a large series of work collected over three years in NYC, no book yet), I am trying to create "tension". At the same time we are seeing a perspective not normally visualized, or at least, not consciously.
(By all means right-click and save to see outside PSA scope, as I feel the image is too large (here) to reveal the proper perspective).
I sat for some time at the top step and waited for the right moment. My wife, Anne stood right behind me to protect me from people banging into me on their way down the stairs. Very little post-production on this digital capture.
ISO-1600 F/3.5 @35mm
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
(Group 32)
This is certainly a unique perspective. I note that all three figures are taking a step. The two closest each are in the middle of a step, one up and one down, which means that there is tension in the leg muscles to control their stepping. But is that the tension you are talking about--I suspect I am missing what you are aiming at. Would you be so kind as to explicate your composition of tension more?   Posted: 11/04/2021 23:28:16
Please, see my short response on the Bulletin Board. Thank you.
Lance A. Lewin   Posted: 11/05/2021 07:20:30
(Group 32)
So just to start on this current image:
Who are these people and where are they going? Are then in a hurry or at leisure? Do they look at each other as they pass? One is a man and one is a woman? Did either glance at the other with appreciation, unpleasantly, inappropriately? Who is the third person, what is their gender, did they interact with the man going up on the left? Whenever there are three in an image, we must consider the Christian Holy Family or the Trinity. Since (I think) your image makes no comment, but only shows a situation, there is (I now see) an enormous tension of unexplicia (if I may coin a term).   Posted: 11/05/2021 12:00:09
In the featured image, (and within a special group critique format) I have chosen to just present the work as is, and only gently point to the overall feeling of "tension" as a manifest of the oddly grouped subjects and empty space.
On the other hand, the work is part of a longer/larger series of work which will (in addition to what was discussed here) reveal other narratives for viewer contemplation.
As always, you remarks are thoughtful and thorough. Thank you for participating. Thank you.   Posted: 11/11/2021 08:19:12
See my extended response to our guest, Stephen for more insights.   Posted: 11/11/2021 08:23:28
It was interesting to view your image both before and after reading others' comments! Like Steven, I was looking at it very literally at first, thinking about coming and going and wondering how long you had to wait in New York to see so few people on the stairs. Looking back with tension in mind, the first thing that struck me was that the forward leg of the person on the left mostly hid the other leg and I felt a tension of unbalance in that person. Also, the steps struck me as small for the size of people's feet. I also felt a strong sense of movement. An interesting and thought provoking image!   Posted: 11/14/2021 09:26:01
This particular location had moments when few people walked by...I believe I sat for 7-10minutes waiting while continually peering through the viewfinder: in this case, the shot is not 100% spontaneous, but it was not designed to be that way. My only input was this particular perspective, camera settings, and of course, when the ideal vision presented itself through the viewfinder.
Thank you, Jennifer.   Posted: 11/15/2021 13:53:37
(Group 32)
Depending upon what the artist is trying to capture from behind the lens, (e.g. beauty, intrigue, documentary...)photographers' must search, pick and (what I like to refer to as) 'capture on a seemingly already painted canvas': from this perspective they reframe and capture the desires, vision or narratives worth revealing.
"Art is hidden in nature, and that he, who can tear her out of it, owns her". 17th century painter, Albrecht Dürer.   Posted: 11/23/2021 04:30:34