The Money Changer

RSL · November 5, 2011

Now you're talking. This is street photography. The expression on the guy's face as he counts the money makes you wonder whether or not he's been ripped off, and the composition that put him in the left third of the picture and included the pictures -- especially the darker picture in the upper right, which draws your eye in a diagonal from the man's face, which is angled down, to the picture is excellent. Really good geometry in this one, Ben. Bravo! It's a winner.

lensmole · November 6, 2011

I would have preferred to see this composed to the right third of the frame,the pictures in the upper right are distracting and take your eyes away from the main focal point, mainly the money.

The man is looking down and to his right, this would have given him some space,and would have provided a place for your eyes to come to rest and focus on the subject, because people read from left to right their eyes have a natural tendency to follow this same pattern when looking at a photograph .

Something to keep in mind .

RSL · November 6, 2011

You're right, Mole. Ideally the picture would have been best if the man was on the right, looking down to his left, as he is in this picture, and with the pictures on the wall to the left. It's usually best if a person looking inward in a picture has space in front of him. But that's ideally. Like the guy in that old seventies song, "You ain't seen nothin yet," Ben had to take what he could get. What he got was pretty dang good. Under the circumstances I don't see how it could be improved.

bfjr · November 6, 2011

RSL wrote: »

Now you're talking. This is street photography. The expression on the guy's face as he counts the money makes you wonder whether or not he's been ripped off, and the composition that put him in the left third of the picture and included the pictures -- especially the darker picture in the upper right, which draws your eye in a diagonal from the man's face, which is angled down, to the picture is excellent. Really good geometry in this one, Ben. Bravo! It's a winner.

Thanks

bfjr · November 6, 2011

lensmole wrote: »

I would have preferred to see this composed to the right third of the frame,the pictures in the upper right are distracting and take your eyes away from the main focal point, mainly the money.

The man is looking down and to his right, this would have given him some space,and would have provided a place for your eyes to come to rest and focus on the subject, because people read from left to right their eyes have a natural tendency to follow this same pattern when looking at a photograph .

Something to keep in mind .

You do realize he is Chinese

Seriously.
I have no problem approaching folks in pursuit of images, but some need a cautious approach and this is one of them. I did try from the right but he immediatly stop what he was doing. I moved on and then approached from the left and the above is the result.

richardman · November 6, 2011

Ben, I am Chinese and it's more difficult for me to get a street shot of Chinese than other people.

On the other hand, that just means that it's a great challenge (see my next post).

bfjr wrote: »

You do realize he is Chinese

Seriously.
I have no problem approaching folks in pursuit of images, but some need a cautious approach and this is one of them. I did try from the right but he immediatly stop what he was doing. I moved on and then approached from the left and the above is the result.

lensmole · November 6, 2011

bfjr wrote: »

You do realize he is Chinese

Seriously.
I have no problem approaching folks in pursuit of images, but some need a cautious approach and this is one of them. I did try from the right but he immediatly stop what he was doing. I moved on and then approached from the left and the above is the result.

Yes I agree with the previous post RSL pretty darn good ,considering the circumstance.
I would be on edge counting money anywhere,even at the Bank.

rainbow · November 6, 2011

bfjr wrote: »

You do realize he is Chinese

QUOTE]

I assume you are referring to the direction of reading. A traditional Chinese text would read from right to left...

Good knowledge, Ben.

bfjr · November 8, 2011

RSL wrote: »

You're right, Mole. Ideally the picture would have been best if the man was on the right, looking down to his left, as he is in this picture, and with the pictures on the wall to the left. It's usually best if a person looking inward in a picture has space in front of him. But that's ideally. Like the guy in that old seventies song, "You ain't seen nothin yet," Ben had to take what he could get. What he got was pretty dang good. Under the circumstances I don't see how it could be improved.

richardman wrote: »

Ben, I am Chinese and it's more difficult for me to get a street shot of Chinese than other people.

On the other hand, that just means that it's a great challenge (see my next post).

lensmole wrote: »

Yes I agree with the previous post RSL pretty darn good ,considering the circumstance.
I would be on edge counting money anywhere,even at the Bank.

I assume you are referring to the direction of reading. A traditional Chinese text would read from right to left...

Good knowledge, Ben.

Thanks Folks
Richard, this shot was taken in LA China Town. Just in ref. to your project.
Mole, he was truly on the sidewalk counting away.
Rainbow, yes direction, thanks for that.

damonff · November 8, 2011

Chinese is read from left to right, sometimes top to bottom.

richardman · November 8, 2011

damonff wrote: »

Chinese is read from left to right, sometimes top to bottom.

Horizontal phrases in Chinese are written left to right, but usually only used for store signs and banners etc.

Normal writing is up and down, and right to left. Hence books open opposite of the English language ones.

rainbow · November 8, 2011

richardman wrote: »

Horizontal phrases in Chinese are written left to right, but usually only used for store signs and banners etc.

Normal writing is up and down, and right to left. Hence books open opposite of the English language ones.

That is the source of the stereotype: when you see an Asian reading it looks like s/he is agreeing with what is written whereby the Western language reader looks like s/he is disagreeing.

richardman · January 12, 2012

Ha ha Ben, in my memory, I thought you have a full face on picture of him and I wondered how you have gotten it, as he is alone in a great wall of nothing else. So I thought either you must be right in front of him (like within 2 feet :-) ) or all the way on the other side of the street (30 feet?). I guess you can walk from the right hand side.

Still a good shot though. I thought if he has seen me taking his photo, he will for sure curse me out in Chinese :-)

torags · January 12, 2012

Nice one Ben...

Good conversion

Well done

The Money Changer

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