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The "Original Blues Guy"

© John Caruso

The "Original Blues Guy"

Uploaded: October 04, 2006 19:12:06

Description

1/50 at f/5.0; Lens 16-35; Focal Length 26; ISO 200

I was photographing a Tow Zone sign on Clark Street in Chicago when a voice startled me. "Pho-tog-raph-y!" the man bellowed, nearly making me jump into the street. I turned, and this fellow was staring at me. He pointed to the "Blues Chicago" night club just over his shoulder and proudly proclaimed he was "The Original Blues Guy." He told me he'd pose for some photos. As I shot, he said he hasn't played for a while because he lost his harmonica. I don't know if he ever played at all, but he was a great character. I gave him a few bucks, and we both went away happy.

Comments

R. M. Jenkins October 04, 2006 0

First, what a wonderful story! Second, it's amazing the people you meet when you have a camera in your hand. Just think... if you weren't photographing something you'd never would have met this interesting person... now, I wonder where his harmonica went? Third... the tones and b/w look amazing. #534196

John Caruso October 04, 2006 0

R.M.-
Thanks so much for your comments. I agree that having a camera in hand really gives us myriad opportunities. This guy was a real hoot. I got so many great shots of him, it was hard to pick just one. As an aside, his fingers were splayed like that because, at that moment, he was playing air guitar while posing. #3407536

Mitch Spence level-classic October 23, 2006 0

Oh, I really love this one too. I've truly enjoyed wandering through your gallery. #3490469

John Caruso October 23, 2006 0

Mitch--

Thanks again for taking a look. I appreciate your kind words, and am glad you like the gallery. #3490650

Melissa G. Meiselman November 01, 2006 0

Amazing portrait with awesome conversion into black and white...terrific lighting and composition, John!!! #3532811

John Caruso November 01, 2006 0

Thanks so much, Melissa. It was one of those that felt "right" the moment I pressed the release. #3533617

Sibylle Basel level-classic November 02, 2006 0

Hi John!!
Great, Great shot! And I love the story behind it. It is amazing the people you meet. I love this shot!
I hope all has been well with you.
Sibylle :o) #3533906

John Caruso November 02, 2006 0

Sibylle--

So good to hear from you again. I'm so pleased you liked it--and I think the story does add a certain something. Thanks for looking. #3537022

Vicki Hunt November 04, 2006 0

This really is wonderful! #3544893

John Caruso November 06, 2006 0

Vicki--

Thank you very much! I appreciate it. #3551820

Bob Cammarata November 20, 2006 0

Hello John,
I came across this photo on Sharon D.'s thread of October hopefulls.

I think this is a true masterpiece of urban artistry.
The personality and style of this "Blues Guy" is immediately self-evident...even without the interesting story in the caption.

I applaud you for what will most likely be recognized among the winning photo entries for October.

Bob

#3609235

John Caruso November 20, 2006 0

Bob--

You make me blush with your very kind and encouraging words. Thank you so much for taking a look and for your comments. #3609254

Brian Lobdell November 21, 2006 0

John, I agree with Bob and echo his sentiments! When I saw this there was an instant feeling of a "life" that was captured here. The black and white medium is overlooked so much of the time anymore - until we see a mesmerizing image like this. Truly a gallery exhibition piece! #3612392

John Caruso November 21, 2006 0

Brian--

I truly appreciate your comments. It certainly was one of those instances when it felt like all the planets just lined up and I was simply glad to have been there when it happened. #3612776

Colette M. Metcalf November 24, 2006 0

Congratulations, John!! #3621204

Mitch Spence level-classic November 24, 2006 0

Very well deserved. Congratulations! #3621919

John Caruso November 24, 2006 0

Thanks Colette and Mitch. I feel quite honored. #3622995

Kenneth Mucke November 27, 2006 0

Congrats John on your well deserved winner #3636093

Sylvia Rossler November 27, 2006 0

YOur favourite made it !! Big congrats on your win John :o) #3636391

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic November 27, 2006 0

Congratulations on your second place winner. #3636627

John Caruso November 27, 2006 0

Kenneth, Sylvia, and Kay--

I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much. #3636655

Donna W. Neal November 27, 2006 0

Congratulations on your well deserved Winner John #3636739

John Caruso November 27, 2006 0

Thanks, Donna. I'm still reeling. #3637326

Holly Shao November 27, 2006 0

John, this is GREAT, and congratulations on your Win!! Love the details and the B&W tones.

Holly #3637490

John Caruso November 27, 2006 0

Holly--

I appreciate your comments. #3637634

Melissa G. Meiselman November 27, 2006 0

John, this is a fantastic street portrant and a most deserved win!! Congratulations!!! #3637803

Janine Russell level-classic November 27, 2006 0

John, congratulations on your Second Place Winner! #3638157

John Caruso November 27, 2006 0

Melissa--

It's so nice to hear from you. Thanks for your well wishes! #3638516

John Caruso November 27, 2006 0

Janine--

Thank you very much. #3638518

Sibylle Basel level-classic November 27, 2006 0

Hi John!
Congratulations on your winning shot!!!

Sibylle :o) #3639257

John Caruso November 27, 2006 0

Sibylle--

It's so great to hear from you again. Thank you for your well wishes! I appreciate it very much. #3639375

Chris Budny level-deluxe November 28, 2006 0

John, congratulations on this fantastic win! Talk about story-telling in the photo! #3642183

John Caruso November 28, 2006 0

Christopher--

Thanks a lot! I appreciate your comments. #3642711

Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 29, 2006 0

Congratulations on your SECOND place win!! Excellent portrait, great story! #3644015

John Caruso November 29, 2006 0

Thank you very much, Donna. #3645691

Jimmy Bhogal December 01, 2006 0

Excellent work John ! Truly a winner in all respects ! A very strong Image!!!

Regards- jimmy #3652811

John Caruso December 01, 2006 0

Jimmy--

Thanks for your kind words. #3653617

Sherrye Nozaki December 16, 2006 0

Great story and Great photo! Very cool:) Congratulations. #3709079

John Caruso December 17, 2006 0

Sherrye--

Thanks for taking a look. I'm glad you liked it! #3710219

Debbie E. Payne January 02, 2007 0

John -- This is a great street shot! You have something that I admire - you've transformed that ability to interact with strangers into a fantastic shot! I aspire to be able to take shots of people but haven't gotten over that hump of approaching strangers to "ask for the shot". Any helpful tips? How lucky you were to have been approached.

I have enjoyed your gallery. Found your site after reading your testimonial of Brenda's class which I enrolled in yesterday. #3771848

John Caruso January 02, 2007 0

Thanks, Debbie, for your feedback. As for approaching others, I'm still a bit on the shy side myself. As you said, it was lucky that I was the one being approached! As for helpful tips, I think the best one is to just be open and to smile. A smile goes a long way toward making others feel at ease. Thanks again! #3771893

Jane M January 08, 2007 0

Apologies for the late congrats John (I missed the Oct winners). This is just so fantastic in it's originality. You have sucessfully given the viewer a real sense of his character through the whole comp and his expression. It's superb! #3793251

John Caruso January 08, 2007 0

No apologies needed, Jane! I appreciate your comments very much. Thank you. #3793340

Kate Jackson January 17, 2007 0

What a great opportunity came up for you John and you certainly didn't let it slip and came up with the goods! Belated congratulations! #3829143

John Caruso January 17, 2007 0

Thank you very much, Kate. It's always a great feeling when things all fall into place so nicely. Thanks again! #3829738

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