Goth Girl Rides the Metro, a photo from Tokyo, Kanto

Photographer's Note

I hung out at Harajuku for most of the day and didn't manage to get a single decent shot (those goth kids are surprisingly camera-shy for people who dress up in crazy clothes then go hang out in the spot where tourists go to photograph kids dressed up in crazy clothes...). But then a photo idea formed in my mind, and I headed into the metro station to try and capture some of the lolitas against a motion-blurred train. Unfortunately the few lolitas that did show up managed to stand in places where I couldn't get a clear shot! But this one girl positioned herself well for me. I'm going back there next weekend to experiment more with this concept.

No tripod, and the girl started to move as I took the shot (she was at the far end of the platform, so the train was almost coming to a stop as it reached her so she started to move towards it), hence the lack of sharpness.

Post-processing to desaturate, increase graininess and contrast. I also tried it in black and white but I quite like the green and yellow stripes. I'll post the 'normal' version of the photo as a workshop.

pablominto, everlasting, specialist, ktanska, Aedorian, miszka, xavshot, leiju ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

everlasting (19978) 2009-04-14 4:09

Hi Charlotte, I think you had a good idea and the experiment worked pretty well, I'll look forward to next weeks. A brave upload. The colour version with the destaurated stripes works better.

kinginexile (2598) 2009-04-14 4:16

The background is superb, with the over-exposure and the accent, geometry and rythm of the pastel hues. IMO, a perfect example, reading you too, not to get too obsessed with one subject (goth kids, here) and be opened to formal/abstractive possibilities that can engage our imagination, and challenge our technique too. One case where it's the foreground that recedes, and the background which gets the palm for expressiveness.

baba_flies (8829) 2009-04-14 4:29

Hello Charlotte! Wow this is really special and you managed a cool shot. This happens so many times to me too that a photo day ends with soso lala stuff, and then an idea brews together and if you are lucky THESE rare moments show up like in your picture. Love the green stripe and the movement in the train, I guess this is the key to it but also how she dresses and the way she stands there. Great photo, I like it a lot. Best regards, Barbara.

pablominto (53746) 2009-04-14 4:29

Hello Charlotte,

I like this one, it is a successful presentation that has been given an artistic form that fits and enhances the subject!
Good details, and I notice the symbolism as she turns the back to society...

Greetings,
Pablo -

swiatopelk777 (0) 2009-04-14 4:54

Hi Charlotte!
Very funny scene. Perfect composition. Wonderful effect.
Greetings from Poland!

TopGeo (38220) 2009-04-14 6:13

Hi Charlotte,...A interesting picture with movement good presence and dynamics that impresses, a good and ideal idea
Regards
Geo....

sabermonajati (11537) 2009-04-14 6:32

hi charlotte
your photo is exlectics.
regard

maglex (1980) 2009-04-14 9:43

Hi Charlotte, very charming artistic photograph. I like the seemingly BW and the horizontal colored stripes. TFS, Alex

Zbychu (0) 2009-04-14 10:23

Nice shot :^)
Good hunting next weekend !

luighi (5303) 2009-04-14 12:56

Hola Charlotte , excelente grafismo y definicion de colores , buen trabajo

Un cordial saludo.
Luis

jonathan_hart (21276) 2009-04-14 14:02

normalement un grand classique des photos de métros, mais la touche d'originalité est là : la tenue vestimentaire! et noir sur blanc, ça contraste évidemment à la perfection , très belle photo
jc

ktanska (45018) 2009-04-14 23:34

Hi Charlotte,
Good capture of a quick moment. Details on black surface well reproduced on low light. Perfect timing on the moment when she starts to move. PP fits well with the ambience.
Kari

Merline (0) 2009-04-15 2:23

Very interesting work, Charlotte, with a fine touch of originality! I like this very very much. This is the most striking version in my view, those desaturated stripes and the grain give it a special touch, still keeping the great graphics. I have heard about these amazing youngsters. I actually love that outfit, the way she seems to pose for you, the positioning of the arms, the hands so pale. I hope to see more, my compliments, a work where the mind can wander...

Regards
Michèle

Aedorian (105) 2009-04-15 18:46

Great capture...your patience paid off! I really like how the subject really stands out with the intentionally overexposed and dynamic background. Funny that the gothic lolitas were camera shy that day, because they normally pose for tourists--at least when I've been there :P

xavshot (69835) 2009-04-20 12:35

Bonsoir Charlotte
très jolie photo; J'aime beaucoup le contraste entre cette femme immobile et l'effet de vitesse du metro. Belle composition.
Xavier