This photograph was chosen because the
Elves think it is interesting and worthy of
discussion. Like we've done on previous
occasions, we are not going to jump-
start the discussion by submitting our
own opinions, questions etc. Enjoy! (Read Discussion)
Photographer's Request for Critique
--Beau .
Gimme Shelter
This is one of those pictures where I don't know whether it appeals to me because of the way it looks or because of the way it happened. A couple weeks ago I was walking in Williamsburg, Brooklyn when it started to rain pretty hard. I saw this scruffy stray cat peering out from under a car so I started to take her picture, but she didn't like that so she started down the sidewalk, kind of hunched and unhappy about getting wet. When she noticed this little box sitting on the stoop, she just climbed into it, trying to stay dry. I usually travel with a camera loaded exclusively with B&W film, but in this instance I happened to be carrying a Hasselblad that I had been using for an assignment, and it had exactly two frames of chrome left in it. I had to hand-hold it at 1/60, which is dicey with that camera, and then for some reason I stuck the exposed film into this little pocket of my bag that I never use. Having forgotten where I put the film, I ran my bag through a security x-ray machine 14 times before rediscovering it. I was pretty sure the picture wouldn't work out, but sometimes you get lucky.
Moderator Note:
This space previously contained a comment from another member showing a reproduction of the image, cropped in a manner suggested by that member. That comment, and the cropped image, were subsequently removed by the member who posted it. A number of comments responding to that suggestion were added before the removal, however, which have caused some confusion. The photographer's image shown above has not been altered since it was originaly posted.
Stephen H , October 22, 2006; 02:02 A.M.
Good story and good shot- I like the red doorway/building- a lesser color would have lost a lot.
GungaJim Downs - Denver Area 
, October 22, 2006; 02:28 A.M.
I actually prefer your original crop. Something about the white box and white graffiti playing on one another that I like. Either way, it is a priceless image.
Karina Brys , October 22, 2006; 03:35 A.M.
A wonderful photo. For me the original is better. The cropped version is to clean. The red is perfect and the lines and rectangles too. And of course your protagonist :)
Charo Diez 
, October 22, 2006; 05:48 A.M.
I also prefer the original shot: the door is not so centered, and the white graffiti, somehow balances the image (sorry Michael, yours suggestion is just like a "straight" shot, no more...) I like all the horizontal lines, and how they "end" at the step of the doorway.
Your first submisssion color shot... and full of color!
Frank P , October 22, 2006; 06:41 A.M.
Me too I like the uncropped version. It is a beautiful photo as is your other work.
Sarah Underhill 
, October 22, 2006; 08:59 A.M.
Bob Kurt , October 22, 2006; 10:22 A.M.
:) Very funny!
Marta Eva LLamera , October 22, 2006; 11:06 A.M.
Congratulations for this fantastic capture. Love it!
(In my opinion better in vertical format only, when door is all into image, top part too) Thanks for sharing and explaining. Best Wishes.
Marco Ruggiero , October 22, 2006; 12:32 P.M.
I wouldn't touch a thing.
Complimenti.
Kent B 
, October 22, 2006; 07:15 P.M.
It appeals to me. Great shot.
Alfredo Muñoz de Oliveira , October 23, 2006; 04:51 P.M.
Ray . 
, October 26, 2006; 11:28 P.M.
I like this pic- nice color... but the composition feels a little stiff to me- maybe because of your relative inexperience with the format, and possibly tripod (if you used one). I would expect you'd get better and better at it as you go along- that's how I read it.
