Coffee Shop

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 6 July 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture.

From the set of "Friends." Well, not really. I struggled with whether or not to post this image or a different version. I've posted the different version of this image on Flickr, for those of you who are interested. I like the other version, and it has the virtue of being sharp, if on the noisy side, but comparing it with this one it just seemed to be static and lifeless. When I look at this version I see a photo of people enjoying themselves. When I look at the other version I just see a photo of people in a coffee shop. I'm interested to hear what you think. Which version do you like better, and why?

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Comments (10)

Vincent from Montréal, Canada

I believe I'd like this one better (compared to the Flickr version) if you'd also turn it B&W, because the colour cast of this one tends to annoy me a bit. You may also try to crop the building out (either keeping just the window or then, leaving less building) just to see what happen. It might help the scene. Anyhow, I like it, but I think you can make it much better with just a few modification.

6 Jul 2008 2:19pm

@Vincent: thanks for commenting. I actually started with a B&W version, a blurry version like here, but not of this exact image. I liked it, but I also liked the color of this one, which seemed to add a certain vibrancy. At the same time, when I first looked at this image I wasn't feeling my best and the color and the blur made my head throb. At that point I figured I wouldn't use it --but it grew on me. I don't think the image works at all cropped to the window edges. It needs some framing from the dark of the surrounding building facade. However, cropping in on both sides and the bottom may improve the image some --I looked at it both ways after your suggestion and couldn't decide which way I liked better.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

I like this one the yellow does give it more life, the lack of sharpness makes your own eyes wanting to focus the image. With art I've always believed learn the rules then break them. Picasso when he was young was a beautiful portrait and landscape painter, but he knew that there was at least another hundred in Spain who could do the same.

6 Jul 2008 2:32pm

@JoeB: When I first looked at this image I wasn't feeling my best and the color and the blur made my head throb. I actually started to feel dizzy and felt my stomach turning. At that point I figured I wouldn't use it --but it grew on me. I still find something a little disconcerting about it but at the same time I also like it.

lisa v from Gawler, Australia

The other one does seem lifeless compared to this one but the lack of focus is a bit too much for me, it bothers me. I really like the warm tones in this. I agree with Vincent about cropping it closer too.

7 Jul 2008 2:13am

@lisa v: thanks for commenting. I actually started with a B&W version, a blurry version like here, but not of this exact image. I liked it, but I also liked the color of this one, which seemed to add a certain vibrancy. At the same time, when I first looked at this image I wasn't feeling my best and the color and the blur made my head throb. At that point I figured I wouldn't use it --but it grew on me. I don't think the image works at all cropped to the window edges. It needs some framing from the dark of the surrounding building facade. However, cropping in on both sides and the bottom may improve the image some --I looked at it both ways after your suggestion and couldn't decide which way I liked better.

danthro from Suburbia, United States

the blur is slightly dizzying but at the same time i understand what you mean about how it gives sort of the feeling of atmosphere to the shot and the feel of movement and activity

7 Jul 2008 2:35am

@danthro: When I first looked at this image I wasn't feeling my best and the color and the blur made my head throb. I actually started to feel dizzy and felt my stomach turning. At that point I figured I wouldn't use it --but it grew on me.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

I prefer this one because it makes me imagine that you had a reason to take this paparazzo shot (the guy to the right seems to note you!). Maybe it's not the image but the (hypothetical) story behind.

7 Jul 2008 7:04pm

@MadScientist: I just saw the scene and thought it looked interesting and stopped my car. Then I noticed that everyone kept turning around to see what I was doing. I started to wonder if one of the women was having an affair and they took me for an irate husband about to enter the place with an assault rifle --or something equally threatening. I found this scrutiny annoying enough that I pretty much HAD to take a photo --I actually took three.

gbe from kansas city, United States

i like this - like visual espresso

7 Jul 2008 9:54pm

@gbe: That's a great description --fits very well.

Persian King from Tehran, Iran

You are absolutely right, this photo is more alive than the one on Flickr, but I shall go with "lifeless" one, I love sharp images.

8 Jul 2008 5:08pm

danthro from Suburbia, United States

Hey, is this the same place as this shot?

10 Jul 2008 5:16pm

danthro from Suburbia, United States

oh, no i see it's different, similar lighting though :)

10 Jul 2008 5:17pm

@danthro: Not even in the same city. The other shot was taken at Whole Foods in Austin. You can even buy organic food --well, not much anyway-- in the town where this shot was taken.

Melissa W. from Warsaw, Indiana, United States

All right, my 2¢...when I first looked at these a couple of days ago, I would have told you it was a toss-up. Now after looking at them again today, this one has grown on me. Initially, I found the blur distracting, but there's something about that color that draws me in. Now, if you ask me tomorrow, I might have a different answer. ;)

10 Jul 2008 5:47pm

@Melissa W.: That's been my reaction. It actually made my head throb when I first looked at it, but I liked the color. The more I look, the better I like it. Sort of like the films, "Eraserhead," or "Tokyo Drifter." Hated them the first time I saw them, but after a couple of viewings, they grew on me.

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