New York, NY

I almost dodged him a bit, but I was worried that it would be too apparent. So this is a straight print. Though he seems a bit subdued, I kind of like the feeling of "shadiness" associated with the pool hall. Thoughts, please.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), January 17, 2001

Answers

I'd dodge him. Better than getting beat up.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), January 17, 2001.

no dodging necesary IMO... I saw him straight away in the doorway and then took in the scene... excellent!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), January 18, 2001.

Hey- the signage gives it a ice Walker Evans look- Without the bicycles it would be timeless- and, how shady can a poolhall be with a bunch of bicycles parked in front of it-

Hope you enjoyed NY, I live in Boston but seem to post more NY than anything else- I did grow up there....

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), January 18, 2001.

Not only the bikes but also the ATM sign on the gift shop to the left also dates the picture, not that it really matters. The white of the menu or whatever it is in the glass window to the right of the man is distracting a bit. That keeps dragging my eye over that way. I would have burned it in a bit. But otherwise a nice contrasty picture.

Mike

-- Mike Jordan (mjordan@europa.com), January 18, 2001.

Excellent image. Works quite well as it is, but a little split-filter dodging and burning to raise the contrast of the guy in the door could make him stand out a bit better.

I think the bicycles really make the shot--the circles of the wheels and 8-ball and clock keep the image from being too static. They also add a slightly whimsical feeling to the shot.

Sorry, it didn't strike me as particularly shady to begin with. I've shot pool in dumps much worse than that.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), January 19, 2001.

Yes, I've rethought my comment about the bicycles- given time they too will be timeless....

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), January 19, 2001.

Maybe the rides belong to a biker gang.

At least the bicycles don't have suspension forks or wild geometries so common with the latest bicycles offered nowadays. I'm speaking as someone who rides a twenty year old (and traditional looking) bicycle. Remember, it isn't just kids that ride bikes, though your modern average shady character probably has at least an equally shady car and matching cell phone.

-- Brian Reeves (brianr@alpha1.net), January 19, 2001.