Evolution of an Image
Finding a Photo
I have to admit that I really like this photo which I took recently in NYC under a tunnel in Central Park. So, I’m going to show how it came to be…the evolution of an image.
Judy and I were walking through Central Park and we approached this underpass. If you look carefully, you can see the hordes of people standing on the other side. And, if you follow the arrow and look very closely, you can see the guitar player by a post under the tunnel. I hadn’t seen him at this point, but I liked the arch and grabbed a photo as a starting point, thinking I would get some sort of silhouette of a person or people walking around.
But, as I got “inside” I noticed the great light streaming in from the open end of the tunnel and also heard the guitar player. I stopped and composed a photo of him with a beautifully colored and lit background. And, as the evolution of an image continued, I was pretty happy with what I had captured. Despite the crowds directly to my left, this was a solitary pose with a timeless beauty, I felt.
Little did I know what was coming next!
Two dancers rolled into the scene out of nowhere. Notice how the guitar player sees them, too, and keeps playing as they dance to his music. Eventually, I was able to realize they were posing for wedding photos and were told to drift in front of the wall and dance to the music, Also, at this point in the evolution of an image, I also realized that nature of the photo had changed from color to black and white due to the white dress on the bride to be. (I have set up my camera to display my photos in black and white on the preview screen on back even though they download to the computer in color.)
Just to be “sure,” I made a color version of the photo. Shown for the first time in public here!
I hope you enjoyed my description of the evolution of an image. This is not atypical…I’m usually attracted to some general feature and then I pursue different approaches and perspectives. And sometimes, I get lucky when something unexpected happens. The key, in my mind, is to keep your eyes and mind open!
Thanks for stopping by!
Stephen M. Levin
www.SML-Photos.com
Facebook – @stephenmlevinphotography
Twitter – @stephen_levin
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stephen@sml-photos.com
Very nice. Excellent seeing, vision and planning, not to mention patience. Great result.
Thanks, Clive!
As you know, with respect to photography, the entire process and experience matters. That’s the “part” we enjoy…and then we hope the result is pleasing.
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!!
Glad you like it, Merle. I wasn’t sure if people would be interested in my “recipe!”
Thx!
Fascinating, although you’ve de-mystified the dancers’ roles which I had thought were impromptu. In the b&w picture, the female’s right arm seems to be absorbed in the background while I see more delineation in the color pic. I prefer the b&w picture’s mystique.
How about the crowd of people just beyond the scene? Isn’t that also a bit “de-mystifying”? Of course, I believe that what’s in the scene is what matter in the end.
And, what’s to say the dancers weren’t impromptu? Maybe they and their photographer responded in the moment to take advantage of the music and the scene!? And I just happened to be there at the same moment.
This is fun stuff! Part of the satisfaction of taking photos on the street. One has to be ready for anything…it’s not always what you expect.
I lean toward black and white when and where I can. But, it’s funny that the initial thought for this photo was motivated by the color (and light) which attracted my attention.
Thanks much, Dave!
Great shot from a careful approach!
I appreciate that, Richard. I know you have a careful approach, too!
Stephen,
Outstanding image. Love the Black and White version. You have the patience to study, analyze the subject and have patience. By patience I mean you did not click and run like most photographers do. They don’t have the ability to wait and observe. You have that unique capability. I can recall taking a photo of a landscape in Vermont, that I went back 8 times till the light was right.
I think you should convince a gallery to exhibit your images and sell them.
Ha! I can’t see me convincing a gallery of anything! But, thanks for offering that sentiment.
Yes…I do believe it’s fair to say I stick with my process, start to finish, and hope something good results from the effort. Generally not a click and run guy, but it happens.
SO glad to read your thought out comments, as usual. Much appreciated! Thanks for taking the time.
And, happy that you like the B&W. Me, too!
Put together a 11 x14 portfolio and start with a visit to MOCP.
http://www.mocp.org
I convinced that they will give you an exhibit.
Thanks, Stan!
I do appreciate the suggestion.
Thanks Steve for sharing this with us. An interesting evolution and an attractive end result.
And, thank you Jan for stopping by and leaving your comment.
So happy you like the image!
Very cool Steve. I know some artists believe the work should speak for itself but your description of your thought process and the unfolding drama added to my appreciation of the photo.
I spend a lot of time working on the descriptions. It’s a big part of the fun of working on the blog…as you know. Nice that it added to your appreciation of the photo. THAT makes me very happy!
Keeping an eye open for the unexpected is typical of your creativity. The unexpected dancers, the unexpected switch to black and white, which, because of the white dress as you point out, makes an artistic difference. As always, thanks for sharing and for the background.
Always happy to see and read your comments and insights here, Mike.
Thanks for stopping by!
ASTONISHING!!! You continue to educate Mr Levin.
The Central Park tunnel is beautiful.
How you kept those 8 million people at bay is mystifying.
Mr Kirschner referenced your patience….. a virtue which the two of you have cornered ( 8 times until the light was right?)
Interesting that the white dress dictated b&w. I speak with no knowledge or understanding of the art of photography but I am fond of the color. The shades of blue down to the yellow tips of his toes and the guitar color reflected in the stone tile. The circle of tired and the circle of the guitar case. Perfect angle of the musicians head (I prefer it to the other photos) which makes his glasses appear shaded (mysterious)
The dancers are delicate figures, unaware of the camera and primarily a profile view
I must agree with Mr Kirschner who encourages you to seek a gallery to exhibit your work
Always wonderful to read your comments, Nan. You seem to “find” things in my photos that I don’t even notice sometimes…and THAT’s a good thing! And I’m glad you enjoy and appreciate my efforts…that’s the reaction I’m trying to elicit with all of this. To me, photography is just another form of personal interaction, and if you reach someone with it, it’s all worth it. And that’s whether it’s in a blog, a gallery, or any other type of display.
Thank you SO much.
Wandering the area while you composed these shots and trying to stay out of your way made me look forward to seeing the results. You captured the moment, the movement and the music.
Yes…we’ve evolved a good pattern/routine! Couldn’t do it without your support and cooperation.
It was very interesting to read how it took more than one photo to reach the end product. It is a dynamic example of evolution in the photograph and the accompanying narrative.
Yes, it’s interesting that it frequently takes more than one frame to find what I want in a subject. It’s less common for one frame to nail it…though it does happen. I assume that carries over for music, painting, writing, etc., too.
Thanks, Benita.
I love how you can take a picture and make it tell a story! Just love how the dancers happened to be dancing at the same time you captured the guitar player! Again your pictures always amaze me.
Aw. So glad to see and read your comments so often (since the start!)…makes me very happy.
Yep…pretty fortunate I had my camera focused on the guitar player when they cruised into the scene.
Thanks SO much, Debbie. So grateful for your consistent following and encouragement.
Amazing, the history and the result…thank you
Thank you, too, Jan! Glad you stopped by to take a look. Appreciated.
And glad you liked it.
Steve
Love both photos, color & black& white. Each has it’s own appeal & beauty. I appreciate your explanation of your process & recognize your dedication & perserverance in pursuing & achieving the result you seek. Fine work . Thanks for introducing me to your blog.
Thanks for taking a look and leaving your comments and observations, Teddy and Howard. So glad you enjoyed the post and my description of the process. I have fun doing this and especially like reading people’s comments.
Happy to see you here!