Mickey's Diner, faceless
I spend a fair amount of time lately trying to figure out what makes a photograph work or not work. Hell if I know. I keep coming back to this one from breakfast a couple of days ago. I’m certain that its companion doesn’t function, but this one perplexes me. I’m still not sure why, but perhaps if I put it here and look at it for awhile I’ll figure it out.
By the way, this is taken from the perspective of the Mickey’s booth that appears at the end of A Prairie Home Companion. There’s nothing there to acknowledges that this is the one, which makes it even better. It just happened to be unoccupied, so that’s where we sat.
Comments
I'd say its companion doesn't function because of the two butts.
This one? Everything's hidden, and that's a good thing. Faces. Hands. Bodies. The food on the plate. Even the bottom electrical outlet.
It's a story about what happens before the reveal. It's a single-frame striptease.
Posted by: Mike | August 11, 2007 12:12 AM
I think it works partly because of the design elements in the photo:
Everything – the chrome thermostat and pot, the ducts, the woman’s elbow, the corners of the tables/counter, the stools – all lead your eye to the man’s head. Even the white lines (and the tight verticals) all lead your eye to the man’s back, which in turn lead your eye up his back to his head. Then, his head is tilted down a bit. I have a feeling he wasn’t particularly happy at the moment. Maybe our empathy is raised? At the very least, it makes me wonder who he is and what he is thinking. (in contrast, in your other photo my eye jumps from one person to the other and back again, not really lighting anywhere, leaving me no time or reason to ponder what one of them is thinking.)
There is a lot of design present too in the ‘good’ one -- repetition/rhythm and echoes all through in the photo – the round stool tops, the pot and thermostat, the white lines, the red colors, etc., etc., etc.
Anyhow, what I am thinking is that it is an exceptional shot. You’re just getting better and better every minute. You and Jeff should have a show somewhere.
Posted by: Mom | August 11, 2007 11:35 AM