A man reading a book, a photo from Sodermanland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

There is not much to say about this photo. I was walking along a small park on Sцdermalm island in Stockholm when I saw this man sitting on a bench on a low hill. I liked the trees behind him and the light, so I took a photo. Seeing it on my monitor I was happy to discover he was reading a book, instead of being absorbed by a cellphone.

There are many nice areas on Sцdermalm with cobbled streets and attractive old buildings. On this particular day a month ago I had chosen, just for a change, to take a walk through one of the less interesting residential areas built about 10–40 years ago. I don't usually expect many photo opportunities in such areas, but if the weather is fine I always take my camera, just in case.

pajaran, ikeharel, Fis2, pierrefonds, jean113, Royaldevon, aliabazari, PaulVDV, jemaflor, mcmtanyel, ChrisJ, COSTANTINO, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115861) 2022-04-11 0:34

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Lepo mesto sa klupom i drvetom, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenim trenutkom sa posetiocem koji uziva u danu sa suncem.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.

Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja

ikeharel (113319) 2022-04-11 0:37

Hello Gert,
Good timing with this picture, face expression of the man deep in his reading - did not noticed you...
The big tree, still naked from leaves, animates the facade of the building behind.
Have a nice new week,
Ike

Silvio1953 (221563) 2022-04-11 0:41

Ciao Gert, lovely composition with man trading a book on bench, splendid light, wonderful colors and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Fis2 (170717) 2022-04-11 2:54

Witaj Gert!
Excellent scene from daily life, the gentleman on the bench reading the book is impressive.
Excellent shot, good framing and composition.
Like me, I don't think we part with the camera!
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

pierrefonds (114422) 2022-04-11 4:35

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the man reading a book also enjoying the sun. The point of view is showing the details of the bench of the tree and of the building. The light is giving good colors rendering. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jean113 (27853) 2022-04-11 4:54

Hello Gert, it is the light that is particularly good in this observational shot of everyday life.
I like the way that we can see through the bare branches of the tree to the building behind with its many windows.
A very good asymmetrical composition.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Jean.

Royaldevon (85932) 2022-04-11 6:29

Hello Gert,

You couldn't have ordered this any better!
You have composed this into a very effective daily life scene.
I like how the man's trolley bag matches his clothes. Together, they make a neat, blue feature off-centre, whilst the horizontals of the bench and the balconies draw us nicely from left to right!

This would be a rare thing for me to photograph! I rarely see anyone sitting outside reading; just occasionally, someone will be texting!! You often post people sitting outside, even when the weather is still chilly!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

aliabazari (22149) 2022-04-11 7:38

Hello dear Gert
I like the branches behind the man who cover the whole space of the frame. You put the man in the best spot of the picture. He is in a high position because he has a book in his hand. Beautiful and lovely shot. Well seen. Thanks for sharing

adramad (72978) 2022-04-11 9:19

Hi Gert.
A very interesting photo with this scene of daily life in the city, this man who seems to come from shopping for the trolley next to him, seems to take a break in the sun taking the opportunity to read a little on that bench, which by the way has a nice background with all those branches of the tree.
A beautiful photo, with great colors, splendid light and excellent sharpness with fine details.
Very well done, I like it
All the best for you. Have a great day.
Luis.

PaulVDV (62886) 2022-04-11 10:00

Hello Gert,
The bench with the man, the branches of the tree and the building are all at a certain distance from each other, giving the photo good depth.
Your main subject is the man who reads a book but I find the many branches, some very dark in the shade and others lit by the sun, extremely beautiful. I was going to write beautiful as a background but they're not really in the background.
The picture was taken on a very beautiful winter day and we don't need a blue sky to make the photo beautiful.
Best regards, Paul

jmdias (115128) 2022-04-11 10:40

gert

I ever find nice subjects when I am inspired. this is a nice one. reading people is becoming a rare thing, in special with young people an in countries like mine and in a rural town as mine is even worst. anyway I am launching my two books here and I am registering the third one in the national library.

take care

jorge

Tue (92328) 2022-04-11 11:26

Hej Gert,
Et godt billede med manden der sad og lжste sin bog pе bжnken. Det ser sе fint ud i det venlige forеrslys. Trжet og husene danner en god baggrund.
Lars

lousat (139236) 2022-04-11 13:18

Hi Gert,a nice anticipation of spring and therefore ideal for relaxing on the bench with a good book, although this person could be homeless looking at his large blue luggage to the side. Beautiful capture with a rich background between trees and modern buildings, I like the perspective taken from below and the usual excellent sharpness. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

ifege (48055) 2022-04-11 22:25

Hi Gert
If you don't have your camera with you, you can't take photos.
A good street photo of the man reading, and it looks like a big book. The bare tree provides good textures and masks the uninteresting apartment building behind him.
cheers
Ian

emka (158128) 2022-04-12 0:05

Hello gert, In this tree we do not observe any signs of spring, but the man is enjoying sunny weather. The book he is reading has a quite large format. Maybe an album with the photos. The tree has a strange shape, growing more horizontal. I find this blue bag rather strange, for big shopping. I prefer to do shopping in a backpack, which is usually quite heavy.
The house in the background is similar to the houses near where I live.
I rarely have a camera in Warsaw. What for?

Best regrads MAlgo

mcmtanyel (68479) 2022-04-12 19:46

Hello Gert,
This is a charming daily life photo. I like where you have placed the man in the frame, as well as your POV. The lacework of the bare tree is pleasant, too.
Regards,
MT
PS. Yes, ekmekзizade means son of a [bread] baker. Ottomans liked to have their high ranking officers from humble beginnings, that way there would not be an aristocracy challenging the sultan.

ChrisJ (171822) 2022-04-12 20:02

Hello Gert

A superb nothing special kind of daily life scene. Good sharpness and I like the dappled lighting an big leafless tree. Tfs!

COSTANTINO (116452) 2022-04-12 21:37

Hello my dearest Gert
thanks for the sharing
I like the simplicity of this photo
with the man enjoying free time
Nice timing for you
He seems alive!!!!can I talk to him????
regards
Costantino

kasianowak (17676) 2022-04-16 7:27

Hi Gert
It's a good and commendable habit to take your camera with you for walks. For me, it's a very frustrating feeling when I see someone worth photographing and, oops, I've left the camera at home (or ran out of memory card space, or haven't charge the battery, or have a wrong lens for the shot...).
I also like the fact that the man is reading a book. It often feels as if I were the only person on the plane or train fascinated with the printed words rather than a flickering screen!
I also like the pov, the raised position of the main subject. It makes for a slightly unusual image.
Best wishes
Kasia

GyurMaster (24818) 2022-04-18 3:22

Dear Gert,

This photo has a time-less feel and a universal atmosphere. By the latter I mean that it could be in Budapest or Miskolc. - There is nothing special about the environment. But what should I expect from a nothing special? :)

Best Wishes,
Gy.

macjake (98454) 2022-05-10 14:57

Hi Gert
I felt the need to click on this one because I just viewed Gy's photo of the man reading a book and you commented on it as well. Thats a very large book he has. Too bad we can't find out what it's about. and ya, that would be a huge cell phone hahaha. What would you do if you took the photo, then he looked up at you with a not-so-happy appearance? just curious.
excellent side lighting on the man's face, good that he's not in the shade. I like it
cheers
Craig