Is this Cecil Tugwell?

[lewdo26]

If you look back at the photo of Cecil I originally posted, you can see that there are several elements in the photo that got removed in later versions. For example, further down the thread you see a version where the overhead light, the bridge, and the jacket have been removed. As I worked on the photo, trying different approaches, I would email these edits to Mike Haines, who took the shot. Mike would email back with suggestions which became more and more insistent that the final version should be really minimalist. It finally got down to his insistence that I remove the piece of chalk and both of the cups on the little stand. I liked leaving one cup. Well, when I turned on my cell phone this morning, there was a message from Mike. I really want you to hear this message, so I created a little website with only two items; the photo (with one cup) and Mike's message to me. Please don't have him committed, I am sure it was tongue in cheek!

Here's the link to the site: http://bfanta0.tripod.com/onecup/

BTW, the audio won't play if you are using Firefox as your browser; use IE.

I tend to agree with Mike Haines... You guys are great.

 

[Mike Haines]

It is gradual but getting there....................

Now the photo is turning into something, although minimalist in nature, that attracts the eyes and keeps them in focused on either the shooter or the table. No busy work for the viewer to flutter around with.

 

[BillPorter]

Final version of Cecil Tugwell photo.....I hope!

Now the photo is turning into something, although minimalist in nature, that attracts the eyes and keeps them in focused on either the shooter or the table. No busy work for the viewer to flutter around with.

OK, Mike, I think we have pared it down about as far as we can. Unless you want just the cue stick, cue ball, and object ball?

 

[Mike Haines]

Bill - It's perfect

the eyes go straight to Cecil and then to cue ball. what a team we make. this is a great photo from a nothing photo.

Mike

 

[BillPorter]

Perfect?

the eyes go straight to Cecil and then to cue ball. what a team we make. this is a great photo from a nothing photo.

Mike

"Perfect" works for me.

 

[lewdo26]

How about taking that lamp out of the way as well?

 

[BillPorter]

I'm going to let you do it!

How about taking that lamp out of the way as well?

Not a bad idea, but after spending much of the day fiddling with that image, I'm kinda burned out. I'll email you a .jpg file and let you fiddle with it. OK?

 

[lewdo26]

Not a bad idea, but after spending much of the day fiddling with that image, I'm kinda burned out. I'll email you a .jpg file and let you fiddle with it. OK?

Thanks Bill, I don't know if I'd dare try. The idea is yours and Mike's. Either way, I really appreciate your work.

 

[sixpack]

Not a bad idea, but after spending much of the day fiddling with that image, I'm kinda burned out. I'll email you a .jpg file and let you fiddle with it. OK?

Bill,

I think what you've done with the photo is great. I wouldn't mind playing with it a little in photoshop myself if your offer is open. I like to work with old photos.

Cheers,
RC

 

[BillPorter]

send me an email address

Bill,

I think what you've done with the photo is great. I wouldn't mind playing with it a little in photoshop myself if your offer is open. I like to work with old photos.

Cheers,
RC

PM me an email address and I'll send you a file or two. Heck, I'm just using Photoshop Elements 2.0!

 

[deadstroke32]

He lives in the Los Angeles area. He is the victim of drug abuse and no longer is any threat as a player.

How good did he play. Very, very good. Definitely one of the best black players in the 70's. And could play any game. Had a problem with his temper though, prone to get into scrapes, as he called them.

drugs and anything don.t mix ..so sad..

 

[BillPorter]

OK, the consensus is that a cropped version works much better

After talking with Mike Haines and getting good suggestions from posters on this forum, I had to agree that the shot "screamed" for a crop! Here's the latest version:

 

[jay helfert]

"Perfect" works for me.

You could title this "The Moment Of Truth".

 

[watchez]

Cecil spent 3-4 years here in St Louis recently & left town probably about 2 years ago. Amazing he taught himself to play opposite handed of his natural hand.

When he came to town at first, it was quite comical. The first pool room he came to, he was trying to match up & the owner told Cecil that he looked real familiar but Cecil denied that he was a 'somebody'. Then the owner pulled out a current issue of a pool magazine & there was Cecil's picture & an article about how he just won this big one pocket tournament & defeated Efren in the finals. (I believe the tournament was in California--Jay H. is much more of a historian on these subjects & can probably remember the exact tournament.). Anyways, Cecil looks at the picture & then in a straight face says, "That is not me. That is just someone that looks like me."

The next pool room he showed up at he came in wearing a blonde wig. We didn't stop laughing for 15 minutes. He and his backer were dead serious acted as if nothing was out of ordinary.

Cecil's play was nothing to laugh about. He is nothing short of a one pocket genius & can stroke the cue ball thru a shot with great precision. Time & time again I would see him shoot some three rail bank shot, make the ball and the cue ball would go zooming around the table to exact position or to break out some other ball. I am/was never the caliber of player to match up with him but my friend Lil Ricky did many times. Ricky had played Cliff, Varner, Cooney, Encardona, etc. and said Cecil was by far 'the man' when it came to one pocket. Cecil would never make a big score. If he won one or two sets, he took the money and out the door he would run.....I suppose after those demons that got ahold of him.

 

[Mike Haines]

yet another version.................

what do you think about this crop. I like it because there is a lot of space to the right of Cecil. I am not married to it but it is a pleasing shot, I think.

Mike Haines

 

[BillPorter]

One of Mike's versions

what do you think about this crop. I like it because there is a lot of space to the right of Cecil. I am not married to it but it is a pleasing shot, I think.

Mike Haines

Here is Mike's latest version. Hey, I know this isn't a photo forum, but what the heck?

 

[frankncali]

If anything I would like more picture instead of cropping it. I dont believe there is any way to show more of the room and scene but that is what I
would like. IMO the affect of just a man and a table could be better felt.
Another small detail I would change if possible is to dull the color of the 9 ball a little bit.
Just my opinion but I dont know anything about photography.

As for Mikes other pictures in other gallerys I enjoy the shots that show more than just the players playing. I like getting a feel for the tournament or event as a whole. Of course the players are the main attraction for some but for others the event as a whole can be the draw


Edit: After looking at it again I dont think the color of the nineball is
an issue. Its amazing how many different perspectives can be gained
by changing a few things. The color of the cloth really changed the feel
of the picture when it was changed.

 

[BillPorter]

Nice comments!

If anything I would like more picture instead of cropping it. I dont believe there is any way to show more of the room and scene but that is what I
would like. IMO the affect of just a man and a table could be better felt.
Another small detail I would change if possible is to dull the color of the 9 ball a little bit.
Just my opinion but I dont know anything about photography.

As for Mikes other pictures in other gallerys I enjoy the shots that show more than just the players playing. I like getting a feel for the tournament or event as a whole. Of course the players are the main attraction for some but for others the event as a whole can be the draw


Edit: After looking at it again I dont think the color of the nineball is
an issue. Its amazing how many different perspectives can be gained
by changing a few things. The color of the cloth really changed the feel
of the picture when it was changed.

Thanks for the comments. Very perceptive!

 

[MVPCues]

A friend of mine emailed me another version of this pic he has. It is reversed, so it looks like Cecil is shooting righty. Some of the detail might be a little clearer, some of it not quite over exposed.

Kelly

 

[BillPorter]

Just looked back at this old thread and remembered...

We really had some fun with this process!