-- Edward Kang (ekang@cse.nd.edu), July 16, 2000

Answers

The pose and attitude here are very interesting. I'd like to see this one restaged - with either this subject in different clothes or a different model entirely. B/W with a city street background would probably enhance the mood.

-- John Kantor (jkantor@mindspring.com), July 16, 2000.

I like everything about the photo including the clothing, the softness of color, lighting, photogenic quality of the young lady, but blowing smoke directly in front of her face just doesn't do it for me. I think sitting on some rocks, on the grass, profile, looking off (even if she must smoke), would do better. The smoke just seems to create a fuzzy little blob on her face. I had to scroll down to check out what she was doing...smoking, blowing hot air on a cold day, smidge on the lens, etc.?

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), July 16, 2000.

I like this photograph because of the animated feeling I get when I look at it. Interestingly, I sense the movement of the smoke from her cigarette and of her exhale. Kind of an odd portrait due to the smoke obstructing her face, but it's still interesting.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), July 17, 2000.

Todd, you like everything about the photo except the way she's standing, the way she's smoking, and the way she's looking? Thank god you liked it! - or perhaps her? ;)

What I like about the shot is the aggressive attitude, pose, and action. It makes an interesting candid portrait of this subject, but since she doesn't mean anything to me, I'd like to see the same concept done again with a different subject and setting - one that complements the attitude.

-- John Kantor (jkantor@mindspring.com), July 17, 2000.

I guess this is either a good or bad photo depending on what you want done with it. I don't think it is an advertising photo, no. But it says everything about smokers. This woman is so totally engrossed in smoking that she has two plumes of smoke, and the free hand is clutching the drug. How can she have a face? She's like a steamer with two funnels -- Queen Mary. Ad no, essay yes. I love it. Dean

-- Dean Lastoria (dvlastor@sfu.ca), July 17, 2000.

It's an essay alright, about what happens whenever I ask for a date Just kidding ;->

-- Andy McLeod (andrewmcleod@usa.net), July 18, 2000.

Edward, you seem rather silent about all this advice. I was waiting to see what your response might be. It seems odd to consider reshooting a photo like this. What would be the point? Is this a portrait? It seems so, which makes shooting with another subject inappropriate, that would just be someone else pretending to be this person. It also seems fairly spontaneous, which changing the setting might cancel out. Although this woman seems very aware off what she looks like and would probably be able to look this way on cue. An Editorial comment on smoking? too uncommitted, pro or con, to send any distinct message.

There are some subtle conflicts that make it interesting, but they are very subtle and I'd be working too hard to justify them as significant. I like your title, but I have no advice or any worthwhile observations for you about this image. It is, however, very obvious that she's smoking and there's no technical problems apparent, except that I wish it were smaller to fit on my screen... t

-- tom meyer (twm@mindspring.com), July 19, 2000.

As usual, Tom, your experience speaks wisely. This photo was indeed spontaneous, taken out of two rolls that I did as an experiment - taking portraits of people on a bright, foggy day. The quality of light, the sweep of colors, both totally unlike anything else I personally had done with portraits on color slide film. Unfortunately, these types of days are hard to find in Indiana.

The girl was just some girl that walked behind me as I was setting up my tripod. I asked her to pose for me and I had my friend make conversation with her as I concentrated on taking the shots. To choose a different person would have ruined the spontaneity, and as this was on the quad of Notre Dame, finding a better location would have been...well...difficult.

Either way, the pose had to be natural. I wanted every shot to be one of her having a conversation with someone. That's the way it turned out. Her obvious knowledge of how to pose was just another facet of her personality shining through. Is that part of portraiture?

Anyways, thanks for the comments, guys. BTW the title means nothing. I just didn't feel this image had anything dramatic enough to deserve a title.

-- Edward Kang (ekang@cse.nd.edu), July 19, 2000.

A subtle point of difference: I didn't suggest reshooting this picture. I suggested shooting another picture using elements of this one (whether with the same subject or not).

I also don't really believe spontaneity is the right term - certainly not if the subject knows they are being photographed. I'd prefer to refer to it as a collaboration between the subject and photographer.

In short, to me, all photography is about staging, roleplaying, and manipulation (though traditionalist's might prefer terms like technique, vision, and style). However, I certainly do believe that serendipity plays a large role in the outcome.

Anyway, I'll remember this one and steal some ideas from it...I'm sorry, I mean use it as a source of inspiration...in the future.

-- John Kantor (jkantor@mindspring.com), July 19, 2000.