Critique Welcomed Half Poker Face

[Brian Moore]

Apologies in advance if I have posted this one before.

This is an image that is replete with flaws and yet that I find curiously appealing. I spotted this gentleman as I was walking through Farmer's Market in Los Angeles and I shot "from the hip." It's out of focus, has movement blur and of course I cut the top half of his head off. But I think it's the placid look on what's left of his face that is so appealing to me.

I'm wondering if anyone else finds it appealing?

Olympus XA3 with Right Aid 400 film (rebranded Fuji) that I converted to "redscale."

 

[Pete Askew]

I too find it appealing. It has a Gerhard Richter feel about it. Partly the pallet, but also the almost deliberate feel of the blurring. Without knowing the back story, it looks so deliberate as if you have decided to obscure the face of some notorious character. He is saying something to you, maybe in jest, but with a veiled threat contained and that is clear by the faint smile on the face on the lady on the left. She knows you have been teased, or warned!

 

[Brian Moore]

I too find it appealing. It has a Gerhard Richter feel about it. Partly the pallet, but also the almost deliberate feel of the blurring. Without knowing the back story, it looks so deliberate as if you have decided to obscure the face of some notorious character. He is saying something to you, maybe in jest, but with a veiled threat contained and that is clear by the faint smile on the face on the lady on the left. She knows you have been teased, or warned!

Thanks for the feedback, Pete. I'm glad it looks deliberate and I'm glad you find it appealing, too. I find the backstory you imagined appealing, too. (The true backstory is out the window now! )

 

[Pete Askew]

Well, he'll certainly be played by Robert De Niro in the film!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I have a similar one, Brian, in b&w, in profile, but my filing system is apparently not up to locating it on my hard drive.

Anyway, I do remember seeing your shot before, and it is interesting that it still has a hold on you, must be its dream-like quality. I like it very much.

 

[Brian Moore]

I have a similar one, Brian, in b&w, in profile, but my filing system is apparently not up to locating it on my hard drive.

Anyway, I do remember seeing your shot before, and it is interesting that it still has a hold on you, must be its dream-like quality. I like it very much.

Thanks Rob. "Dream-like" is a good description Rob. Thank you.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Found it...Not exactly like yours, but it has something that haunts me a little. It's called Girl Lost. She seemed to be a million miles away.

 

[Pete Askew]

Flickering between Edinburgh and LA in true quantum fashion and never properly observed due to the surreptitious way you took the photos.

 

[Brian Moore]

That looks dreamy moving toward nightmarish. I mean that in a complimentary way. Interesting image!