Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Untitled
During a recent discussion that I had with Colin, in between his invitation for me to join "Stills" and my acceptance, he invited me to keep photographing the obscure. This is one of the obscure subjects that I have been trying to photograph on and off since last year. I think I know why I keep going back but to say why would be to preempt discussion and opinion. It has a title but that too would contaminate.
Permalink / posted by and copyright of JohnJo : 6:23 PM
Comments:
Looks like I get to make the first comment then {grin}.
I don't know what this is. I mean, I can guess, but I don't know. I think that what it is, exactly, is not relevant to the picture. This isn't a documentary shot (although it has elements of documentary, like the, query, padlock chain in the lower left). It isn't about the thing at all. It is about a class of thing. A type of machinery that we once relied on but now don't need. There aren't too many of those in this laptop.
However, it isn't just about a class of thing either. Lots of photographers might have been drawn to this cog. I can imagine a colour print, probably underexposed, with the wheel complete and dead centre, and the light dull. Snap. Each one of those decisions you've made helps make this picture work. But what I'm really drawn to is the web. I want to know about that spider. This is a photograph that feeds the imagination.
I've now spent a happy fifteen minutes looking at this photo. Which is quite something for a web reproduction. (on which point, the white border and black background on the version on your website seems to change the tonal relationships - for the worse - in the picture).
If this is obscure, then keep to it.
It's an interesting photo. I find myself disagreeing with Colin re the white border; I like the reproduction better on your website.
I too am intrigued by the spider web; that's the center of interest in my mind. I also find my self wondering what the rust smells like and if you can still smell machine oil if you stick your nose right up to it.
I'm not entirely sure how this is obscure though.
I'm all for others photographing the obscure while I keep my sugar levels up by not stressing myself too much!
First off, to get it out of the way, I totally agree with the previous comment about frame and background.
What is impressive technically about this cog wheel is the way the conversion really brings the metal to you. I would also agree with everything Auspicious says about composition etc.. Yes, does one have to guess? It's an old piece of winding gear in a woodland? But again, I think Auspicious words it well about this being about an idea of machinery rather than a specific bit of equipment. Not that one doesn't want to know - I do! I suppose to put it in historical context, this symbolises the last gasp of the Industrial Revolution. The concentration on the symbol without any firm idea of context is what gives this its essential mystery.
The cobweb is both a nice echo of the circle and an indicator of age and past glories. Should make a great print.
I found that the spider's web was the thing my eye went to and, when I read the other comments noticed that most people seemed to have noticed it. A small part of the picture but, obviously, an important part. I think it (the web) says a lot about the cog wheel. It is old, unused for ages and probably abandoned. I do find that the two white dots, in the lower right, takes my eye.
I too was drawn more by the spider's web than anything else. I'd say you could get in much closer - lose the bottom half of the wheel - makes it more obscure. The bokeh (can I use that word on this site?) is silky and ethereal. I have no problems with the spots of pure white.
out of use. love those shots of disused subjects. the spider net confirms this is out of use since a while. what was is used for? also love the effectively used DOF here especially with the bokeh. could imagine a different compo with a partial cropped gear wheel on the left. after viewing it a while I get the impression the main subject turns from the wheel to the net. it holds my view longer...
Thanks for the comments all. This is in fact the machinery that controls the flow of water at Dobbs Weir in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, England. There are a whole row of these cogs all connected together which are used (I think they are intermitently used still but cannot confirm, padlock chain implies it can still move) to open and close the weir water gates.
The gray metal texture on the wheel is actually green plant life but a colour image tends to become about the green on the dull metal hence the b&w conversion. Using colour, I think, was one of the reasons I was always disapointed with previous takes.
The question of titles is one I have debated with others many times. It is interesting that some great artists ceased to title works at some point in their careers. The reasons given usually included the comment that the viewer was left freer to interpret the work if untitled. A title could prejudice the viewer.
With the benefit of the comments this image might best be titled “Cobweb” because that was the first constituent of the image that struck me. Then reading the comments I saw it had impacted upon the other commenters too. For me the cobweb said a lot about the machinery and its lack of use. It’s tracery also contrasts strongly with the comparative massiveness and solidity of the machinery.
I had failed to observe the chain and the comments made me go back and view again. The chain adds to the effect created by the cobweb.
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I don't know what this is. I mean, I can guess, but I don't know. I think that what it is, exactly, is not relevant to the picture. This isn't a documentary shot (although it has elements of documentary, like the, query, padlock chain in the lower left). It isn't about the thing at all. It is about a class of thing. A type of machinery that we once relied on but now don't need. There aren't too many of those in this laptop.
However, it isn't just about a class of thing either. Lots of photographers might have been drawn to this cog. I can imagine a colour print, probably underexposed, with the wheel complete and dead centre, and the light dull. Snap. Each one of those decisions you've made helps make this picture work. But what I'm really drawn to is the web. I want to know about that spider. This is a photograph that feeds the imagination.
I've now spent a happy fifteen minutes looking at this photo. Which is quite something for a web reproduction. (on which point, the white border and black background on the version on your website seems to change the tonal relationships - for the worse - in the picture).
If this is obscure, then keep to it.
I too am intrigued by the spider web; that's the center of interest in my mind. I also find my self wondering what the rust smells like and if you can still smell machine oil if you stick your nose right up to it.
I'm not entirely sure how this is obscure though.
First off, to get it out of the way, I totally agree with the previous comment about frame and background.
What is impressive technically about this cog wheel is the way the conversion really brings the metal to you. I would also agree with everything Auspicious says about composition etc.. Yes, does one have to guess? It's an old piece of winding gear in a woodland? But again, I think Auspicious words it well about this being about an idea of machinery rather than a specific bit of equipment. Not that one doesn't want to know - I do! I suppose to put it in historical context, this symbolises the last gasp of the Industrial Revolution. The concentration on the symbol without any firm idea of context is what gives this its essential mystery.
The cobweb is both a nice echo of the circle and an indicator of age and past glories. Should make a great print.
The gray metal texture on the wheel is actually green plant life but a colour image tends to become about the green on the dull metal hence the b&w conversion. Using colour, I think, was one of the reasons I was always disapointed with previous takes.
With the benefit of the comments this image might best be titled “Cobweb” because that was the first constituent of the image that struck me. Then reading the comments I saw it had impacted upon the other commenters too. For me the cobweb said a lot about the machinery and its lack of use. It’s tracery also contrasts strongly with the comparative massiveness and solidity of the machinery.
I had failed to observe the chain and the comments made me go back and view again. The chain adds to the effect created by the cobweb.