Man on Bench

[The_Traveler]

I don't see why this photo, or any for that matter needs any of that for a photo to have "substance".
As if there is some sort of set formula or recipe.
It's an old man in a park lost in thought. He's looking into open space, interesting enough for me,
but maybe your standards are higher?

The fact that he's alone, looking at nothing, made me take this photo. He stayed like this for a few minutes before he fell asleep lol.

I like pictures that are anchored to something rather than just being.
This is sharp, it is well converted but anonymous and, imo, without any feeling of its own.
You say that he's alone, could be, but from everything we see he might be watching his dog play with his nephew or waiting for his wife who is late.
There is no emotion except as the viewer cares to impute to it.

So you're saying you don't enjoy ambiguity in a photo then?

not at all.
ambiguity implies there is some question, something to be ambiguous about.
except for the technical considerations, this picture is not 'about' anything.
we could say virtually anything about the subject that is consonant with him sitting where he is and there would be no evidence one way or the other, no hints from anything we can see.
He is happy, unhappy, sad, thoughtful, bored, sleepy, asleep with his eyes open.

That's the failing.

 

[ThinBlueLine]

I like pictures that are anchored to something rather than just being.
This is sharp, it is well converted but anonymous and, imo, without any feeling of its own.
You say that he's alone, could be, but from everything we see he might be watching his dog play with his nephew or waiting for his wife who is late.
There is no emotion except as the viewer cares to impute to it.

So you're saying you don't enjoy ambiguity in a photo then?

not at all.
ambiguity implies there is some question, something to be ambiguous about.
except for the technical considerations, this picture is not 'about' anything.
we could say virtually anything about the subject that is consonant with him sitting where he is and there would be no evidence one way or the other, no hints from anything we can see.
He is happy, unhappy, sad, thoughtful, bored, sleepy, asleep with his eyes open.

That's the failing.

Yeah well, if you say so. Agree to disagree.
Sometimes, an old man day dreaming on a bench is all the substance I need.
Sorry, I just don't see it your way.

 

[KelSS90]

For me, I wish we were able to see more of the space in front of him. I like the shot and the concept, but I feel like his gaze is leading us to something (even if it is just an empty park and his thoughts) and then we are abruptly cut off and can't see even to the edge of the walkway. If you had either backed up and shot a wider scene, or stepped to your left a little and gotten part of his profile but more space in the direction of the stare, I think it would have helped the composition on this one.


Also, judging my your user name, happy national police week! The thin blue line certainly travels across state boundaries, so here's a little extra appreciation from Illinois

 

[ThinBlueLine]

Ok, I can see what you're saying Kel. Thanks for the critique.
And thank you for the recognition lol.