A game of chess
Feb, 2014Views
1168
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Awards
Action Award
Top Shot Award 22
Winner in Fun and Games Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Exceptional Contrast
Jaw Dropping
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
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Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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PRO+
adavies
September 17, 2016
Awesome capture...really well done! If you haven't done so already, please consider joining my Fun and Games challenge:)
https:// viewbug.com/challenge/fun-and-games-photo-challenge-by-adavies
https:// viewbug.com/challenge/fun-and-games-photo-challenge-by-adavies
PRO+
adavies
October 31, 2016
Congratulations! You are the Grand Winner of my Fun and Games challenge! Awesome image...kudos! :)
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Washington Square Park, New York. I was strolling city streets enjoying the city and my camera, just breathing the life on the streets of New York in, trying to be capture the mood and spirit of that truly amazing city.Time
It is my most favorite photo. It was the middle of the afternoon, busy time in the Washington Square park full of people and noises, life in every corner. In one of the corners there were a group of people playing chess. Each table having 2 opponents by the chess desk surrounded on top of that with a great deal of spectators. But just few steps away, away from the sunlight, away from all that busy noise, was this old man, and his chess board. He sat as if he is in his own wold, sunlight hitting the desk on the opponents side, but there is noone there. Was he thinking of chess sitting there? Of the next move? Of the missing partner? Of life? Of dreams? How is that that he looked so alone, so disconnected from the world as if on an island.Lighting
When i saw that scene, that face, that one sided chess match, the first thought that hit my mind was : how perfect the light was. It was hitting the opponent's side of the desk, putting the man in the shadow and stressing the fact that he is there alone even more. Has the light been on him, i am sure the image would tell completely different story and would steer different emotions. But the light left the face away from the spotlight, and in that the image becomes about the questions rather then answers.Equipment
I use my canon 70d, no tripod as i love to get images just in the moment walking the street. I prefer journalistic style, and raw emotion.Inspiration
The look on that man's face and the light stirred so many emotions. There was something so moving in that. Was it that we all get lost in dreams and hopes? Was it the fact that we all at one time or the other can find ourselves lonely even surrounded by crowds? Was it that we all dream of that special someone to share even minor thing? There was something in that image that wasnt about a game of chess but rather about the meaning of life.Editing
I always attempt to get the shot just right, at right angle, right frame. I prefer very minimal editing mostly to convert to black and white and bring out different shades of grey.In my camera bag
I typically carry my canon 70d, 18-270mm all around lens, and 50mm f1.4 lensFeedback
I would just say look with your heart. Walk the streets, try to notice extraordinary in most ordinary overlooked things. The best most brilliant moments are usually right under our noses in a most ordinary form. Dont look for shiny objects, search for hidden gems. Easier said then done, isnt it :)
