I´m still lost in that concert thread... This was two days ago - I was late for the show, so tried to capture some of the nitty gritty atmosphere backstage. Left: Eric Werner, singer. Right: Bent Hangaard, bass player. The band is Jacksons Garden and they last recorded an album in 1967. My dad plays drums. In case there´s any doubt - WC stands for Water Closet.

-- Christel Green (look.no@film.dk), November 21, 2000

Answers

How would we know this was backstage if you hadn't told us?

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), November 21, 2000.

Does it matter? You have a portrait of two guys - I told you that they´re rock musicians. Do they have to lean on a sign that says "BACKSTAGE"?

I guess what I´m saying is that I don´t understand the question... My reason for posting is that I´m interested in what kind of atmosphere, if any, the viewer gets from this photo.

-- Christel Green (look.no@film.dk), November 21, 2000.

i think it conveys a nice sense of intimacy and mutual enjoyment of the moment. i would have wished for better focus, or clarity, in the figure on the right.

-- wayne harrison (wayno@netmcr.com), November 21, 2000.

Well, ok, how would we know they're rock musicians if you hadn't told us - I don't get "concert", "backstage" "musician" or anything like that from this- much less a nitty gritty atmosphere.... I mean I dont need pointers to appreciate an image, but when pointers are provided and they don't seem to match-

For what atmosphere it does invoke; I'd say the set of "Waiting for Godot" comes to mind.... and thats not a bad thing...

By the way wayne, this is the wrong group to start asking for "better focus, or clarity".... people start raving about "rat's asses" at the mere suggestion...

Boy I musta woke up crabby today....

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), November 21, 2000.

"By the way wayne, this is the wrong group to start asking for "better focus, or clarity".... people start raving about "rat's asses" at the mere suggestion... "

Right, this is the group where the members pat each other on the back for posting random garbage and calling it great photography! Reading insight and great import into these photos reminds me of the way they used to read meaning into the lyrics of Jimi Hendrix songs. The Emperor STILL has no clothes, people!

-- Steve vancosin (w2705@aol.com), November 21, 2000.

You two must be stressed with all the Thanksgiving plans, you know, family and in-laws on their way over. Probably have to remove the darkroom equipment from the bathroom. Take all your mat-cutting equipment supplies off the kitchen/dining room table. Might be that you just need to go out and get a new lens. Thinking digital lately? How about color?

My take on this photograph is that I think it is one of those that would be stronger in a series with some textual information, like what these two fellows just finished doing, or what they're about to do. This is not to say that it is "weak" on account of it working better in a series, just that it would work better presented that way. I don't think it has the strength to stand along. I don't particularly mind that the fellow on the right is a tad blurry, because the characteristic renders motion, nothing more, nothing less. I like seeing all the hands, and for those who are sick and tired of me bringing up the fact that I like to see hands in pictures, well, just look at this photograph and imagine it without them and you'll see what I mean. So there. Now... I have to go get all the crap off my dining room table. Oh, and Steve, simply stating that something is random garbage without stating any platform whatsoever is like saying the color green is stupid. Well, probably is, but try telling Kermit that. See what he says.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), November 21, 2000.

Wow, I thought I was crabby...

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), November 21, 2000.

The fellow on the left, his ring, his smoke, his hat, his shirt... they all speak of the music, perhaps "jazz" scene quite clearly and poignantly. I see tenseness before a performance, perhaps during a performance. I also see perhaps a tray of freshly lined cocaine right in front of the beer cups in the foreground, just out of view of the snoopy camera. I don't know if I would have been able to detect "music/concert" stuff if I had not been told before hand.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), November 21, 2000.

steve, it is obvious that you love a good fight. i can remember your "modus operandi" from other forums througout the usenet. and that's just fine. but the truth is you are simply wrong in your charges about the presence of a overwhelming tendency of this group to be self-congratulatory. it is only required that you conduct your own review of each photograph that has been submitted for critique to come to that objective conclusion. i personally found it ironic, and fittingly so, that the group responded to your naked lady pictures in a relatively negative fashion. certainly we made no group error regarding the "empresses'" clothing, or lack thereof. my own opinion is that you are correct that very few images yet displayed on this forum are worthy of inclusion in world class collections. this is not a group of famous professionals. instead, we are serious amateurs (for the most part) who hope to improve our work through its exposure to a serious assessment by our peers. some very good images have seen the light of day here, and the process will likely survive your sometimes petulant complaints. oh, i *still* say a couple of your nude shots were damn nice pieces of...erotica.

-- wayne harrison (wayno@netmcr.com), November 21, 2000.

well, while i'm at it, i might as well address a couple more things that have troubled me from time to time around this place. :)

first, why is it seen as demeaning to a particular image that it is accompanied by written exposition? not every photograph can stand on its own, nor is every one designed to so function. photography, far more often than any other visual medium, often serves a to illustrate, or illuminate, the written word.

second, i get the feeling that color photography occupies a position just above nudity in the pantheon of lesser gods around this place. i could be wrong about that, but it is a feeling that i can't shake. maybe some of you can straighten me out on that point...

my final complaint is the most serious one. why the hell don't you folks who have the ability to post here do it more often? i will not be convinced that you only have three or four images apiece to submit from your entire portfolios. had i the means, i would post at least once or twice a day, damning the torpedos with every publication.

oh, well, so much for a late evening's soap box.

-- wayne harrison (wayno@netmcr.com), November 21, 2000.

Well guys - Wayne already said most of what I wanted to say about the incomprehensable (to me) demand for pictures to "stand alone" without the need for a written explanation. If you feel that way, flowers and sunsets are the things for you :)

I guess I feel that this forum is a safe place to post stuff that´s not "perfect", not a "success" and maybe get some help on how to improve it - maybe get some thoughts on those aspects of the image that work anyway - on a non-tech level. So thanks to those who offered an opinion on the image.

-- Christel Green (look.no@film.dk), November 22, 2000.

"but the truth is you are simply wrong in your charges about the presence of a overwhelming tendency of this group to be self-congratulatory" -Oh well, ah, ok nevermind then. "oh, i *still* say a couple of your nude shots were damn nice pieces of...erotica. "- Thanks, Wayne.

-- steve vancosin (w2705@aol.com), November 22, 2000.

I really really like the subtle colors in this photograph (e.g. the red splotchy colored scarf looking area around his shirt, the blue of the jeans in the fellow we don't see), to the point even that this doesn't "seem" like a color photograph, or, rather, I don't really see the color when I absorb the photograph. This is a color photograph that really isn't about the color. The bright spots, all of which are crucial to the way this photograph works (for me), are all white, e.g. the cigarette, beer-cup rims, the shiny sequins on his shirt, and the sign. The skin tones seem very natural. This photograph would not be as strong as it would if it were in black and white. I also like the overall "dark" mood.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), November 23, 2000.