Night Light

[Rhoads238]

Hey all,

I crept up on a vagrant the other night. I guess anyone could be afraid of the dark. Next time I'm going to look for one who has more stuff because after looking at this when i got home I wished there was more context of his homelessness in the shot.


_DSC4027 by rhoads238, on Flickr

CC always welcome

-Jason

[Donald]

I wished there was more context of his homelessness in the shot.

I take your point, Jason, but it's still a pretty strong image. Okay, maybe it doesn't achieve the aim you had of conveying the awfulness of homelessness, but it still stands as a good image. The counterpointing of the person sleeping on a park bench with the lights and brashness of the city, does make a significant point.

I also think it's a strong composition. In my opinion, you have made excellent use of those overhanging branches to frame the whole thing. it's a good one.

[beckyhumphries]

Wow this is a great picture. I love the colours of the sky and lights of the city, and you've managed to nicely frame the scene with the trees and bench in the foreground.

[RockNGoalStar]

It's a shame he's not sleeping the other way round so you can see his head, but I agree with Donald in that it is still quite a powerful image. The juxtaposition between the poor, homeless man and the affluence of the city.

I'm sure he'd be grateful for a few dollars off you next time and might even adopt a pose that would make a greater photograph, provided you also tell him that the purpose of your project is to raise awareness for the less fortunate people in society, like him.

Have you tried this in B&W?

[Dave Humphries]

I agree with Donald, this is a strong image Jason.

However, two things attract my attention though;
a) there are a couple of bits of litter that would benefit by not being there, and
b) the thin slit between handrail and fence top allows the city lights to be seen through the gap and I think it might be more strongly seen as an image of the halves of life without that effect.

Cloning could solve both issues, if you don't have an ethical problem with doing it.

Just my thoughts,

[MrB]

I agree with Dave, and also include a slight clockwise rotation to restore the vertical lines of the buildings and their reflections.

Philip

[Mike Buckley]

I agree with the comments made above and would like to add that the tree is nicely framed as if it is there to protect the person on the bench from the goings on in the world displayed in the background.

[Rhoads238]

Wow thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if i liked the composition or not.

To add a somewhat ironic twist to this photo is it was taken on memorial day, which is an american holiday that honors veterans who died in service. The irony of it is many of our homeless are veterans themselves. It almost feels like the holiday should include those who came back forever changed.

I have made the suggested changes.


Night Light by rhoads238, on Flickr

Thanks again,

Jason

[Donald]

Yep, those changes work. It's a very good image.

[Carl in Louisiana]

The second image is awesome with the changes. I like the way you framed it so perfectly also and all the colors. The homeless person on the bench makes a strong statement I think.

[Rhoads238]

Yep, those changes work. It's a very good image.

Thanks Donald that means a lot to me. And thanks again to everyone else who responded.