The Boy David - #32

In my quest to find different angles in shooting these monuments of London, this is my take on 'The Boy David'.
It's a WWI Memorial erected in memory of the Machine Gun Corps, who fell in The Great War.

Hi Paul,

Some of my ( usually meaningless ) thoughts on this image and your Crosses series. With a small reference to your previous 'Statues around London' posts.

I liked the London Statues posts immensely. Maybe because I know some of them. More so as they were the center of my focus.

Now to the Crosses. The one in Nova Scotia, sets the scene well. I like the bw rendition. The space gives it its due prominence.

The Charing Cross image, unfortunately, loses me. I have to be looking for it very hard. I want to experience what you experienced in Nova Scotia. Easier said than done, I know!!

I ( ymmv and should ) prefer close-ups, usually. Prefer to leave the viewer in doubt about what it is
I want him/her to see initially. And then wander around the frame. But always returning to the focus.

This image ( Boy David ) has a super lead-in to the Statue. Brilliant juxtaposition of the two walls. But seems, to me, to be overwhelmed by its surrounds. Not that the eye does not come to rest on it.

Mr. Capa's advice is noteworthy in this regard. But needs to be exercised with extreme caution!!

Thank you for sharing your very well executed projects with us.

Regards.

Paul Abbott said:

In my quest to find different angles in shooting these monuments of London, this is my take on 'The Boy David'.
It's a WWI Memorial erected in memory of the Machine Gun Corps, who fell in The Great War.

The Boy David, WWI Machine Gun Corps Memorial - Hyde Park Corner, London #32 - Paul Abbott​

Click to expand...

Paul,

This image is so clean and well thought out that it will end up no doubt as one of your favorite shots. I like the lines in the stone and the single figure able to balance all this massive architecture and not be crushed. so it works!

I was surprised that i like the small detail below David on the wall. At first i felt it should be removed, but then I realized that it's a minor counterpoint to David's importance.

Asher

As usual, many thanks for your thoughts on this image Asher, and in this case Fahim, yours on both of my projects. Thanks.

In regard to the Charing Cross Road image and in making you search for the cross, i'm not sure if I have failed you in it's presence. Although, having said that the church and it's crucifix are framed in the top half of the image and it is a small sized image i've used for posting on here.

I must admit I felt the same way about the amount of space, but I kind of view this one as being on the abstract side of things.
A little while ago Asher mentioned to me about my act of photographing and making these statues come alive and that's something i've tried to do with this one. The reason for the space and the statue's position was to suggest him sitting atop that wall, it's pose suggested that to me.

I would love to have photographed people sitting atop the wall alongside the statue too, but unfortunately it is far too high on the other side for them to reach.

Paul Abbott said:

A little while ago Asher mentioned to me about my act of photographing and making these statues come alive and that's something i've tried to do with this one. The reason for the space and the statue's position was to suggest him sitting atop that wall, it's pose suggested that to me.

I would love to have photographed people sitting atop the wall alongside the statue too, but unfortunately it is far too high on the other side for them to reach.

Click to expand...

Paul,

Interesting that leaving out the person made us rely on him being alive and he breathes!

Something to think about. It's the challenge to do that each time.

Asher