Black lives matter

[The_Traveler]

 

[tirediron]

Nice composition; the arrow works well.

 

[bogeyguy]

I like the fact that you used B&W. Brings back memories of the 60's marches.

 

[The_Traveler]

An interesting thing happened around this picture. I snapped several shots and the man moved a bit to face me so I went up to him afterwards to thank him. He was big and really intimidating but we spoke a few words and he asked whether I was a pro. I said no, that I was just an avid amateur freezing my behind off and then I asked him what he did. He said he was a retired correctional officer and he named the prison where I volunteer teach.
We spoke about the place for a just a bit, then he gave me a big hug and thanked me for coming.

in re: B&W was almost a necessity, color just took away any impact.

 

[timor]

Rather strong image. With a merit.

 

[JoeW28]

Nice composition; the arrow works well.

Lots to like about an unposed, photojournalistic piece of work. The arrow--Tirediron is right--pretty darn effective. The B&W...makes a powerful statement about the story in the photo. I think I'd crop this a bit to eliminate some of the visual clutter to the sides (it's a sparse crowd, urban environment with distractions) and focus on the subject, sign and top of the arrow).

Lew, let me be blunt--this is something that any good newspaper would run as a photo for a lead story on the front page. This single picture tells a story visually, it tells it with symbolism and power. It's not a "great" photo but it's a very effective journalist photo.

 

[LilyBee]

I like it, good street photography and too me the stuff around it adds to it it somehow, without might be good too but I dont think thats a must. People are so afraid of clutter but its life and it can add to a general feel of what youre subject is.

 

[AlanKlein84]

The picture makes a journalistic point. But I'm not sure a newspaper would use it because it appears posed.

 

[The_Traveler]

Thank you all for looking and taking the time to comment.

"The man did turn about 20 degrees to face me but that's as posed as it got."

 

[ronlane]

Nice capture Lew. I really like it and you have a great story to go along with it.

 

[pgriz]

Coming back to this image after a while, it strikes me as very symbolic, in that the man is standing at what appears to be a merging lane. "We're still trying to merge - we haven't got to the main lanes yet." Which is what the point of the sign is. I didn't get that idea at first viewing, but after coming back to it again, and again, this meaning started to emerge. Powerful stuff, Lew.

 

[HL45]

Strong image with a great story.