Sunday, October 07, 2007
Rainy Day Still Life (04050012)
Comments:
So Autumn is here - our second rain picture this week. For the non-American, there is something of New York in this but it can't be as the buildings aren't tall enough. The car looks distinctly European so I'm not sure where you took this. The longer one looks at the picture the more dominant the car becomes and the more it seems to set the agenda for the photo by off-setting the lovely grainy blocks of the buildings. The 'still life' becomes secondary with the L surrounding it a frame for a frozen moment.
What strike me most is the odd combination between the watches and the fake flowers.
After a while I notice the photographer reflection in the window.
The background, to me is just that, not interfering with the tension between the flowers and the watches.
Stéphane, the watches and the fake flowers were my initial point of interest, but then I saw the texture in the backdrop and how it contrast with the texture in of the rain drops. It wasn't until I hung a print on the wall for a week that I really started paying attention to the background.
John, I think the car is actually one of those Mercedes Benz sport utes, but the setting is just plain, old downtown Champaign, IL.
Colin, perhaps I should re-title this "Towards a New Notion of Space and Subject: Explorations in Alternate Geometries." ;-)
I am struggling a bit with this image. I have the 3-4 L's, the almost inconspicious watches, the flower and a series of reflections but I'm lost. It is an enigmatic image.
"texture in the backdrop"
And by backdrop, I mean the texture of the drape drawn in the window (which texture doesn't really come through on the web).
So I guess there are 6 layers. Working from the outside in and then back out.
1. The rain drops on the window
2. The L
3. The flowers and watches
4. The drape
5. Me in the reflection
6. The buildings in the reflection
Huh, the explanation might be more enigmatic than the picture. It looks great hanging on the wall ;-)
It has a very layered Aget feeling to it. Only after looking at it do I suddenly find the photographer. Nice.
"Challenges our awareness of time" said the horologist stepping from his 2CV.
Wonderful composition - I'm sure those watches are expensive but it all looks very cheap and 'tacky'. The reflection is a lovely addition and adds oodles of depth and further interest to the shot. Shame that not all of the watch faces are 'blank'. I'm really intrigued by the blank centre-top though. It takes up a large portion of the surface area but greatly simplifies what could have been an otherwise busy background. Well seen!
I can see how this makes for a great print. It has a simple graphic design overall, yet is very complex with depth and layers, each of them interesting. I love the texture provided by the blind -- it adds a special look to the background buildings.
This image kind of sneaked up on me, rather than grabbing immediately -- I like that about it.
Post a Comment
After a while I notice the photographer reflection in the window.
The background, to me is just that, not interfering with the tension between the flowers and the watches.
John, I think the car is actually one of those Mercedes Benz sport utes, but the setting is just plain, old downtown Champaign, IL.
Colin, perhaps I should re-title this "Towards a New Notion of Space and Subject: Explorations in Alternate Geometries." ;-)
And by backdrop, I mean the texture of the drape drawn in the window (which texture doesn't really come through on the web).
So I guess there are 6 layers. Working from the outside in and then back out.
1. The rain drops on the window
2. The L
3. The flowers and watches
4. The drape
5. Me in the reflection
6. The buildings in the reflection
Huh, the explanation might be more enigmatic than the picture. It looks great hanging on the wall ;-)
Wonderful composition - I'm sure those watches are expensive but it all looks very cheap and 'tacky'. The reflection is a lovely addition and adds oodles of depth and further interest to the shot. Shame that not all of the watch faces are 'blank'. I'm really intrigued by the blank centre-top though. It takes up a large portion of the surface area but greatly simplifies what could have been an otherwise busy background. Well seen!
This image kind of sneaked up on me, rather than grabbing immediately -- I like that about it.