Alcohol & Homelessness: Break The Chain
by
surfinbirdComment by karmat: CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat
What can I say that would add to what you've already done? This is a most excellent shot that fit the challenge in a powerful and emotional way. You are correct that it is quite distrubing. Did he ever wake up and see you? (Just being nosy).
I honestly am not sure that I can tell you how to make this better, so I will just tell you what I like about it.
The subject, obviously, has a universal understanding/appeal. Everyone knows about homelessness, but few want to confront it. You have forced us to confront it, whether we wanted to or not. This in itself makes this an "uncomfortable" image, but it needs to be uncomfortable to be effective.
The post processing gives it an edgy look. Color would have made it look to "happy" I think, so the coloring you have chosen is effective.
Initially it looks like a centered composition, until you look at it a bit closer. The man being in the upper third takes away the "static" feeling it would have if it were completely centered. However, in this case, a static feeling might have worked simply because, unless the chain is broken, this guy is going nowhere. :( Also, the bottle helps to anchor the picture, both symbolically and photographically.
I like the vertical outtake, but there the focus seems to fall on the bottle, not the man, and it is not quite as powerful for the "break the chain" message, I think, though others may very well view that differently.
Great work and congrats on the ribbon.
karma
Photographer found comment helpful.
