Monday, July 10, 2006
Men At Work
Comments:
I get irony from this image, one person 'working' and at least three observers! Is the person at the 'theodolite' a lady for added irony?
It's all very clean too! There is a rather intriguing air of languor about the group; perhaps it's too early in the morning for them. But they look very professional. I like the occasional insight here such as the solid railings on top of the cones (beats red and white ticker tape). Also the collection of individuals and their poses. The theodolite operator looks as though he/she has been to the school of theodololite dance!
Dancing this surely is. I don't get the usual worksite sloth from this picture. It feels more like a frozen moment from some frenetic activity. Everybody looks poised.
Like (?) JohnJo, I don't often feel that the word 'tension' fits pictures where other people bandy the term around. But I do feel a tension here. Something is about to happen.
Another cultural observation. The theodolite dancer is bending from the hips. Most westerners would bend from the waist (and thereby store up potential chronic back problems).
The expressive face of the guy on the right does it for me. I'd be tempted to crop out the left most figure; the resulting line of helmets would lead you r eye right to that impressive mug and mustache.
This pretty much sums up the Japanese work ethic...safety in numbers. You may depend the pose of the guy at the theodolite was taught over a number of weeks at engineering school. The far right chap makes the shot work for me...wish I'd caught all of his left foot though... Many thanks for the feedback.
It certainly does look like something is about to happen here. Yes, there's the tension. In all likelyhood though, I suppose that "something" will be mundane; perhaps they will just shrug shoulders and all walk off in different directions. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. It's an interesting shot and asks to be part of a series.
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Like (?) JohnJo, I don't often feel that the word 'tension' fits pictures where other people bandy the term around. But I do feel a tension here. Something is about to happen.
Another cultural observation. The theodolite dancer is bending from the hips. Most westerners would bend from the waist (and thereby store up potential chronic back problems).