The ghost of 'lectricity...
Man Asleep
Posted by Duncan Galbraith (kyoto, Japan) on 7 February 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Higashiyama Yasui, Kyoto City.
@Daniel: Cheers Daniel. Aye he doesnt look in the best condition. I'm sure he's alright though (fingers crossed).
Fred from Easton PA, United States
You have a way of finding many great subjects !
I have to agree with Daniel, I think this guy had a run in with a bottle and lost. ( There might be a chance he's out of smokes too judging by the pack to the left )
Good job on the framing and the sharp detail too !
7 Feb 2007 5:38am
@Fred: Thanks Fred. aye, the bottle won for sure.
Sidonie from Sydney, Australia
The hands and brow are beautifully highlighted. The subject - as with many of your pics - stirs sympathies.
7 Feb 2007 6:04am
@Sidonie: Thanks Sidonie!
Immersed Photography from Houston, Tx, United States
I like this moment. Very philosohpical and somewhat relaxed!
7 Feb 2007 6:05am
@Immersed Photography: Thanks Sheldon!
Mike Cash from Kiryu, Japan
The pack of cigarettes does indicate that at least once he recoverd from his stupor sufficiently to have a smoke before dropping off again. It's the only element which could keep one from not being suprised were there a chalk outline around his body. English teachers should print this and use it to teach the idiom, "dead to the world"!
7 Feb 2007 6:47am
@Mike Cash: Hey Mike! If I had some chalk I would've been tempted!
Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand
Yup, I thought 'pshht again' as soon as I saw it - not a 'natural' sleep anyway. You know, babies sleep like this - not a care in the world!
7 Feb 2007 7:04am
@Bronnie: Cheers Bronnie!
@H.O: Thanks Hiro!
Kheoh Yee Wei from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A powerful thought-provoking fine shot ! Congrats on this one mate !
7 Feb 2007 8:18am
@Kheoh Yee Wei: Cheers Kheoh Yee Wei!
Manuela Photography from Hainburg (near Frankfurt/Main), Germany
How do you find all these people just waiting for you to capture?
This looks like a "drunken" sleep to me.
Great angle and tones.
7 Feb 2007 8:31am
@Manuela Photography: I can only assume he was drunk too. He did actualy stir as I attempted some close ups, at which point I made a hasty retreat!
Wayne from Melbourne, Australia
It reminds me of an article I once read about business executives who were fired when the Japanese iron rice bowl economy collapsed after the boom years...their sense of honor and shame prevented them from ever returning home to face their families...so they became homeless. As a kid I found that extremely sad and this photo is really powerful in evoking that. Great job!
7 Feb 2007 9:05am
@Wayne: Thanks Wayne. And the above story regarding Japanese executives is sad but true.
Prashanth from Bengalooru, India
great find, Duncan! wonder how you get these kinda captures!
7 Feb 2007 10:13am
@Prashanth: Thanks Prasanth. I'd like to say it's my finely honed senses that seek out the shots but...it's pure luck!
@Stu: havent we all mate. havent we all.
Untitled from Kyoto, Japan
Never thought for a second it would come out like this...This is wonderful! In fact, for me, it's one of your best. Looks like he's smoked a few too many...
7 Feb 2007 11:54am
@Untitled: Cheers mate!
Still from Valence, France
A new great capture... It seems that you are an fine ethologist of the human specie...
7 Feb 2007 1:05pm
@Still: Thanks Still!
Angry Buddha from United States
Man, this guy doesn't care where he's at or who's around him. You can feel the tired in this shot...yes I have been speaking English my whole life. You never cease to amaze me Duncan.
7 Feb 2007 2:24pm
@Angry Buddha: Hehe! dont worry Sean, my english is much badder than yours ;)
Jen from United States
You do the most wonderful people shots! Very thought provoking shot...why is he just laying there?? Is he asleep or passed out? That's what I am saying to myself as I look at.
Great work!
7 Feb 2007 2:33pm
@Jen: I think he was passed out. This was shot pretty much in te centre of the city, guess he'd had a big night. Thanks a lot for the kind words Jen. much appreciated.
Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium
sure he is sleeping? This could be a still from a film noir murder mystery. Nice shot Duncan. I like the gritty dark tones.
7 Feb 2007 3:23pm
@Jason Kravitz: Mmm....sleeping or maybe Damon hit the nail on the head..mwahahaha! dont call the cops (or you'll get the same Jason) ;)
Darren from Japan
Excellent shot Duncs.
Your contrast is spot on in this shot. I really like your people shots mate, they all have something special. Your the master of people shots thats all I can say.
7 Feb 2007 4:21pm
@Darren: Cheers Darren, alas Im no master yet, but I seriously appreciate the comment. that has undoubtedly made my day!
Alfredo J. Martiz J. from Tokyo, Japan
Haha, cool, at least he was not sleeping in the train when you shot the photo, Now I can see that there are lots of places that can be used for sleeping!
7 Feb 2007 4:47pm
@Alfredo J. Martiz J.: Aye, there may be a few train 'sleepers' on the way soon though. cheers Alfredo!
Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada
And after wiping the fingerprints from his gun, throwing it in the river, and ringing up the Red Cross, Duncan pulls out his trusty camera: "Finally, the perfect pose - zoned out #5: dying." Or at least that's how I imagine it.
7 Feb 2007 5:14pm
@Damon Schreiber: Imagined? saw more like! thats too close to the truth. mmmm....a witness....no matter, my reach extends globally, theres nowhere to run...
Shuva from Hyderabad, India
You can kill all those critics that say digital camera can never produce good contrast B/W pictures. I will show them your pictures when I meet any of them next time. :-)
7 Feb 2007 5:25pm
@Shuva: Thanks Shuva! Thats a wonderfully kind comment! You have my thanks mate!
Francis from Hong Kong
Yes A nice shot which asks lots of questions and leaves the answers up for interpretation.
7 Feb 2007 6:05pm
@Francis: Cheers Francis!
Aaron Schmidt from Auckland, New Zealand
Great scene. Being picky, I'd prefer it if the cigarettes were just slightly more in frame (since I do think they add to the overall story). Wonderful shot nonetheless.
7 Feb 2007 7:23pm
@Aaron Schmidt: Thanks Aaron. it's ok, I like picky! See whatcha mean regarding the ciggies. If I ever kill anyone else I'll be sure to position their smokes within frame. Thats a joke. It really is. I apologize.
Michael from Glasgow, United Kingdom
I got a bit worried there, so thanks for the title. Great composition and diagonal lines. Great tones too. Nicely done.
7 Feb 2007 9:44pm
@Michael: Thanks Michael!
@Michael Zhang: Cheers Micahel. Ive sat on this for a while as I was unsure how to use it, but since Ive been posting walkabouts from here, there and everywhere, I thought I could squeeze him in.
@MontereyJohn: Thanks John.
Chris Sullivan from Melbourne, Australia
I'd second Michael's sentiments. Looks like the opening shot of a film, really grabs your attention.
8 Feb 2007 6:43am
@Chris Sullivan: Cheers Chris! I swear I didnt kill him ;)
@Makoto: Thanks makoto!
Fred from Easton PA, United States
I know I already commented on this photo once but, while I was out running an errand I lit up a cigarette , looking at the lit match I instantly thought about the guy in your shot...What an opportunity you had to give him a hot foot !
Sure it's a childish prank , but I have to admit I laughed uncontrollably at that thought and had to pull my van off to the side of the road till I recovered .
9 Feb 2007 12:18am
@Fred: ;) drive safely mate!
Nick Passantino from Bronx, United States
Strong photo.. truly a great scene.. sad but great.
14 Feb 2007 5:50pm
@Nick Passantino: Cheers Nick. Many thanks.
Fujifilm FinePix S9000
1/340 second
F/5.6
ISO 80
17 mm