Photo Evaluation show with John Simpson

Today we are joined by John Simpson, from Walnut Creek, California to take part in another evaluation show. John is recently retired from the legal profession and likes to spend his time honing his street photography skills.


John has submitted 3 photos for his evaluation. So please use the photos below to follow along with our discussion with John on this episode of the evaluation show.

Ashley’s Comments

Excellent subject choice! Everything about this man is contradictory and that makes it interesting. The cowboy hat and guitar with a suit, the celebratory set of flags with a forlorn face – I love the character selection. A little close cropped for my liking though. It’s as if the golden ratio has been interrupted. I feel like you either need to get a tad closer or a little farther out, but with the guitar detail, out would probably have been the better choice.

Bob’s Comments

This is one of my favorite photographs in your portfolio. I think the gentleman’s expression is what really makes this. When I look at him I think that he’s very tired and he wants to go home but he has a long way to go before he gets there. The seat that he sitting on gives it a sense of place because the peeling paint in the style causes me to think that he’s in an old train station.

I also was somewhat bothered by the fact that his foot was cut off above the toes, but the photo was so strong it really didn’t matter.

Bob’s Comments

I like the unusual shape created by the woman’s body and the extension of the shadow. It’s very unusual and really captures the viewers attention.

I know you captured this with a smart phone very quickly so I understand it’s very hard for all the elements come together. I would like to seen some space around the feet at the edges of the frame. Plus the people in the background make it rather busy. Perhaps you can burn in the top of the image a little if you have data to work with.

Ashley’s Comments

This one is my favorite! Again the foot is chopped off a bit. It’s a small detail, but I always notice it and find it distracting. Other than that, I love this image. The shadow “reflection” is VERY visually pleasing, the feet lined up on the side of the street add a secondary point of interest while framing your subject nicely, the pattern on the road adds a lovely texture. Really enjoyed this image.

Ashley’s Comments

I really like the stripes in this image – the socks, shirt and car grill stripes flow well and make your eyes sweep across very naturally. I’m not crazy about the subject material because I was always a little creeped out by the crying kid dolls at the car shows my dad would take me too, but that’s most definitely a personal bias. However, I will say that it does document the flavor of the car show in a way. The Route 66 plate, muscle car and kid with a ball cap give it a very American feel. I would have liked to see all of the kid’s feet and the edge of fender though. Feels a little too close for my taste.

Bob’s Comments

Your use of humor here really captures the viewer’s attention. I think it’s because this is something any parent can relate to.

To me it tells a story of a father and who has take his young child at a car show. The child became tired and wants to go home. To express that he leans against the car and refuses to move.
I like your use of leading lines to draw attention to the child and you can never go wrong by using the rule of thirds. Nicely done.

John’s Links

• John’s Website
• John’s book – Descansos of Northern New Mexico
• John on Facebook

About John

I’m a self-taught photographer who got my start at age seven with a Brownie Bullet, a Christmas gift from my parents. As I explored the medium over the years, I became fascinated by street photography and the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gary Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, Robert Frank, Bruce Gilden and others.