Ed Ford, APSA
October 2025 - WAshday in Cologne
About the Image(s)
Why I chose this: I saw this scene in Cologne, Germany during a river cruise.A couple of men iwere doing their laundry in the Rhine River. Simply an interesting side of life that I saw from the river boat, the laundromat price is right.
The focus was not crystal clear, but the movement of one man’s foot and having more of their faces in the image made my choice. This is more of a PJ shot (F8 and be there).
Processed with PS2025 and SilverEfex Pro 7. Camera Nikon D500 with Tamron 18-400 lens
7 comments posted
I really enjoy photos like this: regular people doing everyday things. You've really captured a great story-telling image. Adding to the impact to me, is that what is likely an everyday activity to the subjects, is a bit unusual, given where we live. Great shot! Posted: 10/08/2025 19:06:49
Thanks Jeff. Frankly seeing the activity caught me by surprise. It is a slice of life which, as you said, we do not see everyday. Posted: 10/13/2025 19:32:49
With the possible exceptions of the one man's shirt and the shoes on the step the photo could have been taken anytime in the last century. I really like that it's not overly sharp and the gray tones add a really nice filter.
Makes me want to know more about them and their living situation. Posted: 10/13/2025 21:00:10
Makes me want to know more about them and their living situation. Posted: 10/13/2025 21:00:10
I am so used to having judges complain the image "is not sharp" it is difficult sometimes to think outside of that box. Thanks for the comments Douglas. We will have to get together to shoot some as you (I think I read) live in Wilmington, DE as do I. I kind of miss DPS. I was in the club for years handling equipment both for club meetings and for Wilmington International Exposition of Photography (WIEP). Posted: 10/14/2025 21:03:03
Hi Ed, I think that Doug´s comment was spot on. The first thing that came to my mind was the classic Cartier-Bresson image of people on picnic by the riverside. This is a similar gentle peek into everyday life, at the decisive moment. It is a fine composition with the action filling the frame, and I love the expressions of the men and the movement of the foot. To think that you were able to capture it from a moving boat! Posted: 10/15/2025 17:19:38
Thank you Kirsti. I took several of these men. The others were in better focus, but this was the best at telling the story. The more I look at it the more I like the softer focus. Posted: 10/18/2025 01:49:01
Hi Ed. Technical excellence is always important to me in a photo, but in photojournalism, emotion and storytelling come first with technical quality coming second. I think you captured the storytelling perfectly in this shot. Great capture. Posted: 10/23/2025 20:37:31