Friday, April 06, 2007
Train
Comments:
Anything that plugs the Guardian must be good! I find that I end up analysing this by element and then the whole. The arch with the station name works well as does the departing (?) train. I quite like the challenge to identify the treadmill as part of the jobs ad for the paper (recommended as the best newspaper online) although the desire for all the writing to be present does nag. The motion on the train is just right but after that things turn a bit negative: the track, and tunnel, take a turn up in the left half of the picture. That may be the case for real but it is a problem visually (for me anyway). Not something I normally do (tinker with others' pictures), but I would aim to level everything off; after all, most of the underground network rises and falls a minute amount so a bit of artistic license would be permissible.
I have really enjoyed this image. It doesn't bother me at all having the copy cut off, In fact, I like that aspect -- trying to figure it out a bit. The train motion is perfect as noted, and mystery reflections always appeal to me. Then I wonder if the one on the left is a reflection, or part of the ad showing through the window. I even imagine that the shape at the very rear of the train could be the photographer reflected.
With red (again) punctuating an otherwise fairly monotone scene, and some repeating circles, this has been great viewing for me.
The context is overwhelming here for me. South Ken was my daily commute in the late 1990's.
Pushing that aside....I echo Christina's comments about the colours and the circles. You've even managed to include some authentic grime along the top edge to stop this being ad like.
The choice of background advert is important here. A high proportion of the rush hour crowd will be scanning those jobs pages.
The figure at the rear of train is the most intriguing element of this, although the use of color and sense of motion are strong as well. The curve of the treadmil mirroring the curve of the arch provides a bit of balance that might otherwise be missing.
There are two figures at the end of the train and the one more to the right almost makes the face of a cartoon - it's B&W and the bottom of the window splices through the bottom of the cartoon's eyes.
Since this first hit Stills it has grown on me with each repeat looking. Effective use of a limited number of colours. The motion blur of the train gives life to the whole. It also reminds me of my daily commute in London during the nineties.
Interesting that this is South Kensington as I only associate that station with: the District/Circle lines and the much more attractive architecture; and as a gateway to the Museums.
I believe that the train is leaving the station to the left but could also be viewed as entering. I also see a slope down on the train but the tracks are level which creates and interesting illusion.
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With red (again) punctuating an otherwise fairly monotone scene, and some repeating circles, this has been great viewing for me.
Pushing that aside....I echo Christina's comments about the colours and the circles. You've even managed to include some authentic grime along the top edge to stop this being ad like.
The choice of background advert is important here. A high proportion of the rush hour crowd will be scanning those jobs pages.
Since this first hit Stills it has grown on me with each repeat looking. Effective use of a limited number of colours. The motion blur of the train gives life to the whole. It also reminds me of my daily commute in London during the nineties.
Interesting that this is South Kensington as I only associate that station with: the District/Circle lines and the much more attractive architecture; and as a gateway to the Museums.
I believe that the train is leaving the station to the left but could also be viewed as entering. I also see a slope down on the train but the tracks are level which creates and interesting illusion.