Despair on 5th Avenue

[skanter]

©2024 Sam Kanter

--
Sam K., NYC
“I’m halfway between tightrope walker and pickpocket.” HCB
—
__
Smugmug Galleries:
http://skanter.smugmug.com
—
Instagram:
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[jp pietro]

©2024 Sam Kanter

i can feel it...great shot! Not sure why or what but it's painful...at least that's what I'm feeling

 

[skanter]

©2024 Sam Kanter

i can feel it...great shot! Not sure why or what but it's painful...at least that's what I'm feeling

Thanks for the comment, JP. An image of pain, for sure. Not easy to look at without feeling something.

--
Sam K., NYC
“I’m halfway between tightrope walker and pickpocket.” HCB
—
__
Smugmug Galleries:
http://skanter.smugmug.com
—
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sam.kanter/

 

[jaggedhorizon]

That's a strong photo.

I generally shy away from such scenes, but this was worth photographing, and you did it well.

 

[skanter]

That's a strong photo.

I generally shy away from such scenes, but this was worth photographing, and you did it well.

Thanks. I was conflicted about shooting it, and then about showing it. But i agree - she was so compelling that I had no choice as a street photographer.

I think street photographers have to make this choice continually - especially when shooting the unfortunate - is this photo worth it? Sometimes there’s an ethical conflict, sometimes it’s just a matter of safety, the risk of a confrontation or physical harm.

And you also have to get the light, focus, exposure and composition right. It’s the most challenging genre.

Another version, a little further back. What do you think compared to original?


©2024 Sam Kanter

--
Sam K., NYC
“I’m halfway between tightrope walker and pickpocket.” HCB
—
__
Smugmug Galleries:
http://skanter.smugmug.com
—
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sam.kanter/

 

[jp pietro]

That's a strong photo.

I generally shy away from such scenes, but this was worth photographing, and you did it well.

Thanks. I was conflicted about shooting it, and then about showing it. But i agree - she was so compelling that I had no choice as a street photographer.

I think street photographers have to make this choice continually - especially when shooting the unfortunate - is this photo worth it? Sometimes there’s an ethical conflict, sometimes it’s just a matter of safety, the risk of a confrontation or physical harm.

And you also have to get the light, focus, exposure and composition right. It’s the most challenging genre.

Another version, a little further back. What do you think compared to original?


©2024 Sam Kanter

Sam, for me, this image is stronger. It shows more of the immediate environment, the space, which suggests greater isolation of this person and emphasizes the 'despair'. The condition of the sidewalk, the entrance with closed doors, it's almost as if we're seeing what that person is feeling

As I look more closely, there are physical attributes that suggest masculine while the clothing/hair suggests feminine, the bare feet,the leg tats, the location; this is one of those images that asks more questions than are answered. Strong photo

 

[skanter]

That's a strong photo.

I generally shy away from such scenes, but this was worth photographing, and you did it well.

Thanks. I was conflicted about shooting it, and then about showing it. But i agree - she was so compelling that I had no choice as a street photographer.

I think street photographers have to make this choice continually - especially when shooting the unfortunate - is this photo worth it? Sometimes there’s an ethical conflict, sometimes it’s just a matter of safety, the risk of a confrontation or physical harm.

And you also have to get the light, focus, exposure and composition right. It’s the most challenging genre.

Another version, a little further back. What do you think compared to original?


©2024 Sam Kanter

Sam, for me, this image is stronger. It shows more of the immediate environment, the space, which suggests greater isolation of this person and emphasizes the 'despair'. The condition of the sidewalk, the entrance with closed doors, it's almost as if we're seeing what that person is feeling

As I look more closely, there are physical attributes that suggest masculine while the clothing/hair suggests feminine, the bare feet,the leg tats, the location; this is one of those images that asks more questions than are answered. Strong photo

Thanks for the feedback, JP. I was torn between the two versions; your take on the wider one is spot on, but the closer one shows more immediate details that also have a strong emotional impact.

--
Sam K., NYC
“I’m halfway between tightrope walker and pickpocket.” HCB
—
__
Smugmug Galleries:
http://skanter.smugmug.com
—
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sam.kanter/