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Interlude
Interlude
Pedro


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Masters' Free Study (Advanced Editing II*)
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Location: NYC, Ground Zero on Church Street.
Date: Sep 3, 2004
Aperture: 2.8
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/500
Galleries: Urban, Candid
Date Uploaded: Sep 24, 2004

 The last of the Photos I took at Ground Zero on my trip to NY. The music that this guy was playing still haunts me. I many ways I wish I'd never heard it.

To answer the inquiries I had about this image, the instrument is called an Erhu. If you're interested, you can hear what it sounds like here.

Statistics
Place: 10 out of 69
Avg (all users): 7.5804
Avg (commenters): 8.4699
Avg (participants): 7.8036
Avg (non-participants): 7.5439
Views since voting: 11359
Views during voting: 891
Votes: 398
Comments: 106
Favorites: 47 (view)

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AuthorThread
 02/22/2011 11:09:48 AM
Great street shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2006 09:12:39 PM
While I was listening to what this instrument sounds like, someone on my buddy list asked me what time it was...

It was 9:11

How weird is THAT?
*shiver*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2006 05:41:04 AM
it looks like he has 3 arms :S
 10/12/2004 03:56:57 AM
Well P, I beat you by a smig =). Well done, stunning shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/09/2004 04:55:08 PM
I'm coming back to this photo again after thinking about it for a few more days...

This photo is a good example of where some information to go with the photo is very supportive of what the viewer sees. In my original comment on this shot, I made reference to the 'haunting' sound this instrument creates. After the challenge, when I read your description about it being taken at Ground Zero, it added an entire new level of impact to the image. The haunting sound of the music, coupled with a place on the map where thousands of people died, creates an entirely differen theme.

May I suggest that you change the title of this photo from "Interlude" to "Requiem"? It's just a thought, but you can tie this theme together even better with "Requiem" since a requiem is a musical composition in honor/memory of the deceased.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 03:34:15 PM
Congrats on your "Best of the Best" top ten finish!

Great dof and expression captured here.
This is real life and well portrayed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:48:23 PM
Peter.........get back to work and stop playing with this "photography thing"! Great placing buddy. We must celebrate. Yes.....we must.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 11:47:05 AM
This was my top pick as well. This image is beyond perfect. Great human interest study! Great work bud!

-danny
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 11:44:06 AM
My top of the challenge!! Congrats on your top 10 finish. I was hoping this woud ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 09:26:10 AM
verrrrry nice buddy *hug*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 08:10:21 AM
Even before I knew this was yours, I VOTE this for the BLUE! This is really good. It speaks volumes.

Manny
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 01:07:02 AM
Excellent placing among an excellent array of photos. This picture tells a story and there are not very many anywhere that can do so.

My hat is off to you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 01:04:53 AM
Yo P, congrats on 10th place! Well deserved :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:58:19 AM
:)

Excellent work Peter... Keep it up :) I had hopes this would ribbon...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:48:46 AM
Anything short of a blue ribbon in this challenge means this photo has been underrated...to me, this encapsules the essence of photography.

The discovery of a moment met by the technical skills required to capture it beautifully.

10. Nothing short of it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:34:32 AM
Hey Pedro: Yes, I have seen this gentlemen perform on this Erhu in the R/N train station by ground zero. Congratulations on this wonderful character study. A memorable and lovingly captured image. Congratulations on your top 10 finish in this hot, hot contest.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:18:28 AM
i don't care what the front page shows...this is the best photo on DPC and beyond. truly a shot worthy of a Master.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/08/2004 12:10:59 AM
Hmmmmmm, top 10 in the masters challenge. Maybe you're not as underrated as I thought. ;-) Congrats Pedro, awesome shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/07/2004 11:49:09 PM
great shot... i can almost hear the music myself...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 11:38:55 PM
I think compositionally you could have done away with the darker area of the right and gotten away with it. It just seems in the way of my view of the great subject that you shot so well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 11:07:19 PM
One of the best I've seen on DPC.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 11:06:15 PM
very stirring image and an excellent capture of this street performer...i can almost hear the music. this is my choice for the blue ribbon. outstanding!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 10:38:57 PM
I like your choice of toning -- lets the shapes and patterns carry the photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 10:34:08 PM
My preferances in photos kept this excellent picture from beng voted higher even though it is done very well and is evocative. I hope it does well as it is quite good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 09:39:02 PM
Unfortunately, this guy has the look of, why did I agree to let you take my picture? oh yeah...money.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 08:54:19 PM
This is just amazing. I keep coming back to look at it over and over again. I can't find one thing I would change to improve it. It's perfect. :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 07:16:10 PM
This is one of my favorites on this challenge. Hope it does well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 05:54:50 PM
great shot! i love his expression. great composition. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 05:34:19 PM
is this the strange Thai instrument? what is it called?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 12:02:31 PM
Good shot, I really like it. One of the best in this challenge imo, I would like to see it in top 10. The sharpness, clarity, composition, the choise of motive, and the choise of b/w and the brown color tone all makes this photo outstanding. Well seen.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 07:20:27 AM
One of my favourites. The musician is really isolated from the background, it really helps having the guy in the black shirt right behind the hand. Nice tonal range. Perhaps a bit over sharpened, I can se white halos around the instrument and on the left side of the face. Anyway ,very good work. -10 (I just gave two 10s)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 12:44:50 AM
what a capture. you really managed to nail this one. one of my top picks for the challenge. good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/07/2004 12:00:14 AM
Very interesting. This photo is very sharp and has great detail. Composition is great to me. Good Luck and think this might get a ribbon. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 10:45:32 PM
This is a very nice candid shot! I really really like it... This is my 3rd time looking at this image you get a 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 08:44:00 PM
Definitely one of my favorites, I love everything about this shot, especially the sepia/black and white tones 10!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 01:09:49 PM
The model looks straight into the camera. It looks as if he was posing, not playing actually. I would've wait for him to look at the instrument or notes. Great idea with blurring the background - it fits perfectly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 08:13:43 AM
Good contrast and framing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2004 04:42:14 AM
This is wonderful, my first 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 11:52:47 PM
7. 1st off, I love this instrument. You caught a great expression and moment. On the other hand, this shot feels too sharp and I really miss the edge of the case. Great work, nonetheless.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 05:13:26 PM
Absolutely incredible - this photo took my breath away.... I only wish I could capture someones life like this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 10:39:13 AM
I like this the most of all the portraits for its spontaneity. The capture of the street musician's expression and form is very revealing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 03:10:57 AM
Great intesity and clarity .. great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 02:06:42 AM
This is an amazing display of light control. Every detail is clearly visible only on the subject and the natural background elements add to the candid feel of this without distraction. The composition is appealing even though this is a stranger (A difficult task for most of us to be able to do successfully). This is one of my two highest rated shots in the Masters challenge. An excellent work of art!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2004 12:00:52 AM
Very good sepia. Nice tones. composition is good, with a very well blured BG. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 11:51:48 PM
He's charming! What is that he's playing?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 08:23:43 PM
Well done... the moment, the player, the surroundings... great lighting, exposure, composition and focus. Makes me wonder what he's looking at.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 05:38:19 PM
This is a great street photgraph. The only problem, which of course you didn't have control over, is the background. The guy and the car is a bit distracting if you're easily distracted. If it was just a building, it might have been better. Great shot! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 02:35:11 PM
I think this is a great shot. Well framed by using the pillar on the RHS. His expression is great, must not have seen you playing, he seems to be off in his own little worls whilst playing away! 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 01:17:54 PM
wonderful use of natural lighting and candid photography i gave you an 9 because to me the picture is almost flawless
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 01:15:44 PM
Very emotive picture. I like the cepia tones. Great subject on the focus. I wish you could just see him sitting in the chair without the obstacle on the far right. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 05:41:03 AM
I love candids so much - we need to see more like this on DPC. Wish it was a bit clearer to see what he was up to.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2004 04:22:48 AM
the first thing that I said was WOW !! One of the best b/w photos I have seen. I relaly like the darker black and white with sharp focus on the subject. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 08:52:47 PM
Bumpiing this to a 10. I just don't know how you great photographers use all the ranges in your b/w photography, but you've done it masterfully. Excellent photo!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 08:07:57 PM
Strong Points: You've captured what appears to be a very candid image and made it into an emotional work of art. The printing is flawless with strong blacks and whites - and plenty of grays in the pallette as well. The aperture chosen blurred the background just enough to get a hint of what's back there without causing distractions. Suggestions for improvement.: The composition could be a bit better if you had taken a step or so to the left. Then you could remove the vertical metal area behind the musicians back and perhaps get more of his back. I'd also like to see his tip case all in the frame. Overall - an exceptional shot - thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 04:54:12 PM
Excellent candid...the tones, contrast, capture is just spectacular. Only suggestion would've been to get more of the case and less of the lightpost...but that's it! It's a great shot, thanks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 03:10:35 PM
I love this candid. The look on his face is perfect. what he is playing i do not know, but that adds to the interest. Perfect black and white and dof.10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 02:34:34 PM
This photo is gorgeous...and a great resting place for my only 10 (so far) to sit and enjoy some weekend music on the street.

Beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 02:05:54 PM
Wonderful candid shot. Very crisp in details and excellent color treatment. Makes me wonder what he's thinking about.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 01:31:51 PM
A strong study. I have seen this gentleman perform in the NY subways. Bur, this capture is excellent and yes, I can hear the haunting music from this exotic instrument. A great character study in a very natural environment. great dof. Bumping up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 01:15:39 PM
Very cool street shot. I have no idea what that instrument is, but that doesn't matter. The musician's expression is what makes this shot. -9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 12:04:11 PM
Great snapshot (I suppose it is). Tells a story. Expressive. Good DOF,contrast and sharpness.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 11:52:30 AM
very nice street scene. good use of depth of field. great tones and sharpness. I can't really decide if the musician is looking at you or if you just caught him in a moment where he looked away from his instrument. I would have preferred seeing him concentrating on his music.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 11:08:46 AM
This is so much a candid shot, his direct look at the camera really spoils it for me. I visualize him kacing the left, head tilted back, and eyes closed in completeconcentration of his music. Still a super shot. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 08:36:51 AM
Unique and well composed. I like the B&W application also. The background might be a little busy, but maybe you were trying to express a spot of of calm in a chaotic environment.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 08:29:52 AM
This is a great "candid" shot. The B&W choice is perfect here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 06:46:26 AM
Nice street candid, shot looks way oversharpened though, there's bad haloing around the instrument. B&W a good choice here. Not quite sure about your crop. I'd have him right against the right hand edge of the frame without the wall, and include more of the case. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 03:53:59 AM
Great use of B&W and good candid shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2004 12:46:38 AM
I think this subject matter called for *less* clarity and/or neatimage. I would have loved to have seen a grittier, moodier look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 07:18:32 PM
This is a great piece of street photography - and I love the B&W conversion. Works perfectly with all of the contrast, especially the shirt and the subject's hair. Outstanding.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 07:04:06 PM
A fine candid, IMO, and a shot, perhaps, some may have passed up for the less than ideal givens of the locale (the background is quite busy, the foreground quite partial, on the right, and poorly lit; there is fair evidence of harsh highlights as well).

Considerable editing skills appear to have been devoted to overcome these obstacles and render a final image worthy of study and pleasure. It is as if the manner and treatment of the photo reflected the manner and treatment the player afforded his music and instrument. The position of his left hand and fingers below the ornate vertical neck of the erhu is especially delicious.

The player's clear eyes, his clearly focused features, the attentive glance, the listening tilt of his head speak of consiousness to me, a being awake in the moment. This photograph, I believe, has captured this, quite purely and, appropiately, quietly. There is no embellishment, no dilution of its essence.

The shabby lining of the case, the player's dollar-store attire, the cardboard and tape aesthetics of the street only help to accentuate the exquisite humanity of a combination of sounds which may come from a tranquility of mind.

Oddly, the crop is as tight as could be. Personally, I would welcome a little 'aura', especially to accommodate the strong vertical of the erhu neck. Given his culture and heritage, the player too, I imagine would benefit from a little air or piece of heaven to send his music...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 06:53:15 PM
a very nice candid - the blur in the BG lets the viewer know it was urban.
moving from 8 to 9

good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 03:18:21 PM
I love candid shots and this is awesome!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 02:54:46 PM
A good candid. One of the situations where I think Black and White works better than color. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 02:51:52 PM
Good framing and lovely tones make this image stand out for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 01:12:41 PM
I wanted to critique this photo and point out anything that I dont like, but I cant. I simply cant find anything wrong with it, I love the look on his face, I am wonedring what he is looking at. The clarity is great and the choice of B & W was a good one. Well Done. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 09:25:10 AM
this is one of those shots that b/w makes the shot work, if it was in color it would not have as much impact on me, very nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 06:24:39 AM
This is one of my favorites. I love the spontaneity of your shot, the position of the subject and the expression on his face. The backround is perfectly out of focus and there are no distracting elements. Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 06:04:24 AM
nice shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 04:01:59 AM
Subject matter is very interesting and along with the wonderfully rich sepia tones make for a very compelling street/candid portrait. Focus is very crisp and DOF really isolates well the subject from background. The busyness of the background, though still discernable, is offset very nicely by the brightly captured jacket of the musician. The jacket almost becomes the "centerpiece" for this image as it symbolizes the weaving of music he must be playing. The lines of the jacket, along with the parallel lines of the traffic cone, instrument, R-leg and pillar muscian is seated against also give a subtly obtained rhythm. The details, down to the positioning of the hands, look on the muscians face and position of his head all add to an exceptional photograph! Very well done. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 01:49:01 AM
Composition is excellent. Black and white jumps off the page. Subject is interesting. You really want to know what he is thinking when you look at this photo. Excellent 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 01:44:12 AM
Reminds me of the guy who's always on the Jackson stop on the Blue or Red Line in Chicago. I like the fact that he's playing oblivious to the camera. Contrast/saturation is wonderful. Nine.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 12:38:56 AM
This is interesting and different which I like.
Its a shame the money box case is cut off
I like how he stands out and the background is blurred
focus great and tones excellent A great image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 12:23:58 AM
Wonderful clarity and contrast. I'm not exactly sure what he is playing but I really like the way he is looking around the corner. Nice candid.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 12:20:45 AM
What a candid shot... 10 for me!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2004 12:03:59 AM
Wow!!!! This is the best...Great colors, composition and colors. My pick for the BLUE!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 07:54:25 PM
Good one!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 07:15:23 PM
Great Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:29:13 PM
Very nice candid and nice shallow DOF. It may have a little too much USM applied but other than that not bad (7).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:12:47 PM
Fantastic. The dof works well and I love the candid fel to this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 06:06:44 PM
Excellent capture. Some people feel that street photography is easy, you just walk around and take pictures. I understand how difficult it is and I applaud you for this amazing capture. the DOF is fabulous. I also like the sepia tone.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 05:31:33 PM
interesting composition with nice tones and candid facial expression
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 05:07:05 PM
Very nice street candid, I really like the tone. I've never seen that type of instrument. Great job (8)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 04:09:53 PM
Absolutly wonderful. DOF, subject everything perfect imo. - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:23:17 PM
This is a stunning candid shot! from a 9 to a 10! The tonal rage is impressive and the choice of B&W is idealfor this shot. I don't know how I could improve this! great job!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:57:07 PM
Excellent duotone! Great contrast and focus especially on the jacket which looks like a nightmare to expose correctly. I'd crop this shot a bit differently, however. Starting with the upper left corner. Maybe crop the left side a small amount to eliminate that dark triangle. I'm suggesting this since you already cropped part of the case so a little bit more would not hurt the composition. Now for the right side. The dark part of the post needs to go as I feel it draws too much attention away from the man's jacket. If you cropped right up to the gray portion of that post would be perfect. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:50:42 PM
Nice and clear, lovely toning. I like the way he's holding his left hand, and how he looks at you as if he's saying, "What do you want? I'm working."
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:37:14 PM
They say that successful portraits should have direct eye contact. Well, this one doesn't and I think it's still great! It's hard to know whether it would be improved even further by direct eye contact or whether that would change the mood too much. I really like the crispness of the foreground subject against the blurred background. I like the high contrast black and white. I like the strong vertical of his instrument and the way it's echoed by that metal girder to the right. I like the detail of the open instrument case. This image makes me want to be able to hear him and that means it's definitely communicated to me. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 07:58:00 AM
nicely captured ... i love street stuff
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 07:46:32 AM
I really like the toning and the contrast. The DoF is used to great effect too. We can see he is still on the street but it isn't distracting us :) 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 03:06:39 AM
A great image, a fine capture of the moment with a great expression of concentration. It reminds me of the streetwork of Henri Cartier Bresson, although this one is maybe a bit too clean. I would not have disliked a bit of grain or noise to add to the atmosphere. All other technical aspects are just perfect to me, good background blur to bring the subject forward. Great natural light to give depth to the person.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 02:30:16 AM
Fabulous lighting and contrast; perfect street study. Amazing work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 02:29:48 AM
Wonderful pic, although out of sheer jealousy, as I did not take this pic I have to give you a 1 - j/k fantastic capture, one of the best in the challenge - naturally a 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:52:44 AM
I love the focus on this photo, great capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 01:35:33 AM
Congrats on the best image in the challenge. My choice for the blue ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:41:20 AM
This is a perfect example of how a candid shot can be artistic. Your depth of field, the tones you found, and the interesting subject all serve to make this a great shot! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/01/2004 12:38:00 AM
This is incredible... simply beautiful and candid... I'm a sucker for great street photography because its a new area i'm starting to explore myself. I'm just unfortunatley bound by an uninteresting hometown to do it effectively. The culture here is a bit bland. I think I'm gonna need to travel a little more to capture images that stir me like this one does.

I can actually hear the haunting sound of this instrument in my head as I look at this photo. I don't know what it's called but I know what it sounds like.

If I had to guess at the owner of this photo, I would say that Mr. Marlin has been spending just the right amount of time wandering the streets with his camera. If its not Peter's photo, whoever owns it deserves a ribbon for some excellent work.

+FAVORITE

= Best of show, in my humble opinion.....

  Photographer found comment helpful.


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