1
by 2mccs

Comment by markwiley:
A beautiful collection of street images. Images 2, 4 and 8 were particularly interesting for me. I tend to take street shots relatively close -- sometimes uncomfortably close. These broader, starker scenes with a sole person had a completely different feel to them -- one I will have to experiment with. Thanks for sharing these, Marla.

1
by 2mccs

Comment by jmritz:
Marla, these are wonderful. there are details here that I find remarkable. a sense of calm, refinement. i find myself getting lost in each photograph, like magnets they draw me in.

orange
by 2mccs

Comment by PennyStreet:
well seen

the multiple screen option
by 2mccs

Comment by RKT:
...I really like this, as an abstract...it's really quite beautiful. Kudos to you for making that happen in this challenge with that stuff.

I read the news today
by 2mccs

Comment by jmlelii:
I like the artistry here. I love the use of the reflection without seeing the actual subjects. I think B+W would really set it off.

1
by 2mccs

Comment by salmiakki:
Your essay captivated me. I've been through the images several times now.

If these are your first images from doing street photography, it makes me very eager to see the images from your next outing. These are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

orange
by 2mccs

Comment by Tiny:
Top ten for me.

1
by 2mccs

Comment by ubique:
You're a timid street photographer, or perhaps you just respect people's personal space and identity. I'm known for sticking people up with a camera in the street, but I think your lighter touch is better and more resonant than my primitive muggings. You say these are your first real attempts at street, and that means you've stepped straight past a lot of the traditional street motifs (cliches, really) and gone right to street photography of more depth and texture than most of us street hacks can manage.

I've commented separately on No 2, which I think is uncommonly beautiful and sophisticated. The others are delights as well, especially 4, 7 & 8.

But this is about the whole, the essay. It's sparing, but clear and confident. The language is simple, the story is enchanting. Thank you.

P.S. Regarding the filter, it's just a tool like any other. Some people (me among them sometimes) use filters as a drunk uses a lamp post; for support rather than illumination. That's not the case here, because the real filter in this collection of photographs is actually you, and that appears to be one-of-a-kind.

2
by 2mccs

Comment by ubique:
Before I assemble some comments on the essay as a whole, I must react to this picture.

It's really very beautiful. It's one of those sneaky abstracts that are not abstract at all. The purely graphic character of it, like Rothko feeling blue, is a first impression level of delight in addition to the subsequent realisation that it's actually a representational, literal work.

It's a visual fuge, by which I mean the image easily becomes convincingly audible as a musical piece like this.

The musical theme is also graphically echoed in the fact that it actually looks like a musical stave, with a lonely, melancholy high note at upper left. It's obviously in a minor key.

It's a lovely, witty, satisfying photograph. I very, very rarely see a photo and think, "I'd like looking at that every day on my wall, and in extravagant size too", but this photograph is an exception to that rule. Thank you.

1
by 2mccs

Comment by insteps:
Marla, always a pleasure to view you photographs. This is no exception, with the added bonus of reading your thoughts. You mentioned that you’re not comfortable using Nik Analog filters. I understand how you feel but they work very well. You can always apply subtle filters so they’re not as noticeable.

I like the consistency in you processing. I’ve tried mixing different processing techniques in a single essay but haven’t had much luck. For me, it just flows more naturally the way you presented your story. The photographs you’ve chosen interact well together without any redundancy. Images 4 through 7 is probably my favorite stretch. Very impressive for your first attempt at street! I hope you'll continue contributing to this side challenge. It will be interesting to see where your photography leads you.