From The Shadows
by insteps

Comment:
Henry.

It̢۪s always a pleasure to look at your photographs, and it̢۪s always a pleasure to see a foreign culture through educated and sympathetic eyes. So this is a double pleasure indeed!

The great benefit of an educated (in the sense of local familiarity) foreigner as a guide is that we get the best of both worlds: insight into the soul of the culture, and understanding of what will most comprehensibly depict that essence for a less educated foreign audience. So what we get is a more elegantly poised narrative than could be delivered by a genuine local, and also a more textural and reflective view than could be offered by a casual tourist.

Let’s talk pure photography first. These are all the flawless, visually literate B&W images for which I’ve 'known' you all these years – but that said, I still say that you’re getting better at it all the time. The photography is so clear and pure that it can come only from a deep passion for the craft of photography, and comfort in that place. The subliminal message I get is that not one technical aspect is forced, nor contrived. It’s effortless craftsmanship, and I don’t think you (Henry) could now do it any other way. So like a writer who has mastered the tool kit of language and its usage, and for whom the words no longer get in the way, for you the photography no longer gets in the way.

And that leads to the next dimension, which is artistry. The conversion of craft into art.

The choices you̢۪ve made in terms of subjects, points-of-view and composition are very satisfying for your audience. There̢۪s variation, conventional, unexpected, contrasting, refreshing; all the beautifully structured sequences and sensations that one would experience in one of those fabulous Asian meals composed of many tiny courses.

So I say there̢۪s two levels of artistry in this essay. The obvious one is the artistry of the photographs individually. The less obvious but ultimately more appreciated one is the effect of your having orchestrated a feast of many tiny courses, all connected, directly and indirectly; all dependent on the others for the proper appreciation of their full flavor and texture.

The fact that you know all this, and that you intended the effect, is evident especially in your final course of a fish in a water glass. That's the very kind of surprise exclamation point that a great Asian chef is likely to present to his guests as his final course.

It̢۪s a beautiful essay Henry. Enjoyable on every level from the superficial to the considered to the theatrical. And I suppose I must now say to the gastronomic too. It̢۪s professional standard stuff; actually quite a bit better than the usual professional photo essay in this cultural/sociological vein.

A wonderful start to our month of essays. Thank you.

johnny angel
by jmritz

Comment:
Still crazy. After all these years.
Thank you.

hiding in plain sight
by PennyStreet

Comment:
I'd have likely called this a bvy too, had I looked at this challenge. But I didn't so I didn't. Why bvy? Street, the snapshot as stealth-art, and the resonance of film.

Had I voted and commented, I'd have given this an unconditional 10 and explained why by saying that it's the photograph's camouflage - the art masquerading as a snapshot - that is the most thrilling aspect of this image, rather than the literal reference to the nominal subject's hiding in plain sight. But I didn't so I didn't.

The relatively cool reception given this photograph is a dismal indictment of the lack of curiosity of the majority, and even worse, the lack of understanding of a photograph (I don't mean this photograph; I mean 'The Photograph', as art and as object).

It's quite wonderful. Thank you.

7
by 2mccs

Comment:
I could easily wax lyrical about how unexpectedly beautiful this is. But I won't. I'll just say it's so good to see something not bludgeoned into insensibility by the blunt instrument of the challenge topic. Thank you.

Message edited by author 2014-11-22 07:47:19.

equine amber
by whiteroom

Comment:
Oh, misdirection; it's the best form of camouflage. And didn't it work so well! Thank you.

girl with donut
by bvy

Comment:
Oh, thank you!

Have you noted the similarity to the famous Einstein portrait with the sticking-out tongue?

our lady of the fallen leaves
by skewsme

Comment:
Finally, a church with a credible perspective on living and dying. And beautiful too, not coincidentally.

Young Hunter
by scooter88

Comment:
Ah. Sorry I incorrectly guessed your identity. I should have thought of you immediately. I am now. Thank you.

Young Hunter
by scooter88

Comment:
Nice portrait. Striking lines and angles give it a lovely geometric dimension. But the focus (not yours, his) in the young hunter's eyes is the best part of many good parts. Also the sand on his skin and hair; suggests he's been down stalking something. Something unlucky judging by his evident commitment to the shot. I think it's Kalahari somewhere? That and the quality of the photography says you could well be Harvey. Harvey or not, thank you.

Back to the wind
by bogulo

Comment:
A lovely thing, perfectly composed and perfectly crafted. 9. Thank you.