Queen Street, a photo from Ontario, Central

Photographer's Note

A typical scene from Queen Street, everyone goes about their own business doing their own thing, someone walks a dog (alot of dogs on Queen Street, one one hand it became a trendy place, on the other hand quite a few homeless and kids staying at youth hostels, they all need friend and none are better than four legged once), guy painting his art. His name is Mike, painting some weird stuff but I really liked it. Mike got pissed off because the dog actually stepped on his work, I would be too. Then there is a photographer sitting with his camera hanging over his neck, he says he lives for photography, he doesn't like digital cameras so I am bit of a lower human being for him, that's ok, liked him anyway. Would love to see his image but he isn't showing anywhere, too bad. Every time I go to Queen Street he is there, says he is there every day and loves all the street kids.
Then the girl on the phone, didn't talk to her, sure she wasn't interested in talking to me.

avis2avis has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snuggleaphagus (4146) 2005-05-30 23:40

A wonderful slice of life on queen street. The photographer is great. Nice composition and even the dogs rear end is great as it exits the photo. I could make a whole story about these characters. The guy sitting in the middle of the prints almost looks like a troll.
Black and white is great it shows some grit but ot also has a classy touch to it.

gringofil (0) 2005-05-30 23:42

Man, this is cool. And if you tell me you're not happy with this one as well, I'm gonna be on the next flight to TO with a hammer and a shovel! ;-) The dog is very important to the image as it acts as an anchor and keeps the shot from spilling to the left side. My reading begins with the dog, moves to the painter guy, than the photographer and finally ends up looking at the girl on the cell...a triangle (minus the dog) of everyday life happening on a street somewhere in Toronto. Beautiful B&W as well. Good work, mate!

thpfister (240) 2005-05-30 23:49

Hey Peter,

good urban street photography. The dog makes the pic somehow interesting, a bit more sharpness would be nice though.

Cheers thomas

AnimeshRay (9089) 2005-05-31 2:19

Oh my!! This is really superb! Love the depth and the mood here. I just wish the hooded fellow was not there, or if there was looking to his right, but what can you do...inclusion of the dog's rear end is a stroke of genius (no pun intended). Peter, this is a fascinating photo. Complex, urbane, thought-provoking...yes, I know I am gushing but I really like this one. Seems very spontaneous...but was it?

Loved your note too.

michalu (810) 2005-05-31 5:45

Hi Piotrek!!
Super ujecie. To zdjecie jest reporterskie:)jak z gazety. Jak na nie patsze to mam takie wrazenie jak bym sam na tej ulicy stal!!
Pozdrawiam
Michu

avis2avis (4264) 2005-05-31 6:28

A photographer, a faceless artist, a woman on the phone and half a dog. Very interesting work Peter. I like the placement of the four elements here as well. Good choice of BW.

Sine (13) 2005-05-31 10:59

Hi Peter,
It's very good frame. Very impressive photograph. I like very much.
Sine

babul (612) 2005-06-07 9:40

podobaja mi sie twoje zdjecia z ulicy codziennosc w ciekawych odcieniach dobrze dopracowany kadr tez calej tej seri

ElSato (824) 2005-06-14 15:19

Peter,

I like this one a lot for many reasons.

First: because it's an overall good shot of my hometown. Second: it's Queen West, which I love, and I'm tired of so many pictures of Toronto either featuring the CN Tower or the big glass towers downtown. Third: his hidden face. Lovely lovely mystery (although I may de-mystify it in a moment, as you'll see). Fourth: the rump of the dog totally makes the image. Fifth: your notes enhance the picture -- very personal and at the same time observant, with a little humour thrown in.

Last: I think you and I took photos of the same guy on different days! I can't tell for sure, but the artwork looks similar, as does his black outfit. My guy was more under-dressed, but it was damned hot the day I took my picture. Check it out and tell me what you think: B&W in Colour. This was on Queen just east of Spadina, near the Horseshoe. I posted my photo today, started browsing, and found yours!

Cheers,

Lee

P.S. This image, with its motley crew of characters, reminds me a little of the cover of the Doors album Strange Days

joseelias (0) 2005-07-15 9:04

Superb image Peter. I love the stress that the cropped dog brings to the scene. Not only the front part but also its right foot at the bottom.
It becomes like a surreal element, and stresses the 婫gocentric� feeling of the characters in this image. Everybody here is on their own and don㦙 interact with no one. The cut off front part of the dog seems to accentuate this by 𦽳aying�: I𠍿 just passing and don㦙 care about you!
The fact that it𠏋𦽳aid� by the dog enhances even more this kind of despise message. Great tomes and use of BW.

Photo Information

Copyright: Peter Kozikowski (Homerhomer) (4080)
Genre: 人物
Medium: 黑白
Date Taken: 2005-05-00
Categories: 日常生活
Camera: Canon G3
Exposure：f/3.5, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version：Original Version
Theme(s)：Pictures with dogs in them., Sato: Toronto is a Trip!, Sato: Dogtown [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-05-30 23:31
Favorites：1 [view]