Monday, November 26, 2007
Neko-jyarashi
Comments:
I have a feeling of poignancy, forlornness and struggling against the urban concrete. I (again) like the simplicity and impact of this.
Technically the 'seed' heads on the left have lost detail; DoF, exposure or slow shutter speed may have caused the problem.
I probably would have corrected the vertical, but that's my problem! :-)
A plant on a chain? Waiting for its owner to return.
Without the chain, I don't think that there would be enough here to keep me interested - which is sort of a silly comment because you took the photo with the chain! But I suppose I mean that this teeters on the edge for me. If I were in a hurry it would be a weed, but if I had the time and was in the right mood, then it would be a flower arrangement.
My first reaction is that this weed would make an interesting still life and study on its own. But in the context of this (drive way, parking garage?) it becomes more of one against all odds, preservence in the face of pending doom (driven over and pulverized). Yet this wonderful and beautiful little plant has found nurishment and succeeded; flourished and regenerating itself in the face of not much hope that the seedlings will be as lucky. But yet, continuing on....
Huh. I tried a similar photo a couple of weeks back with some grasses and a fire hydrant, but I missed the focus. We could have had dueling posts. Sigh . . .
I can't get quite as 'emocianado' as others about the plant - give nature a couple of years without humans and most cities would be unrecognisable! Having said that, this grass is a perfect foil for the almost abstract shapes and form of the remainder of the picture. I almost wish that the chain weren't there. Although I hardly dare say it, this is a picture that depends on, and exists because of, tones. And the grass.
John,
You'd not be wanting to take anything I say too seriously...
Apart from anything else I think about this photo, it is a lovely example of the use of tones as a part of a composition. The white 'bit' bottom left corner and the black 'bit' mid left edge are both very necessary to the overall success, for example.
One of my first thoughts was how different this is from many of your other shots of Tokyo where things usually seem so neat, shiny, clean, and well-maintained -- unlike my driveway and walk here, where weeds and grass are usually growing out of the cracks in the pavement. (I suspect Florida would be overgrown in one summer's time without humans)
At any rate, bravo to this attractive little grass for making it to the point of having flowers.
I like the diagonal left to right flow of it all, including the chain -- and the foreground detail that emphasizes the harsh environment of the drive. Curious as to how low you needed to get for this view.
I forgot to say that the title is in a league on its own!!
Colin - in answer to the question you raised about form/content the other day, my take on this photo is that it lies close to 100% form.
neko = cat
jyarashi = plaything
I thought the title worked well with what I saw as a bird-like figure comprised of the plant and chain...
I see your bird now but have to admit that I didn't initially. It doesn't stand out for me though as the abstract forms are stronger. The title is still good!
Thanks for all your thoughts on this. I'd noticed the plant a couple of times and was wating for some light to bring it out a little further. Whilst crouching down to compose the shot I saw the bird shape appear. Shot much wider open than usual thus some 'difficulties' with DOF. don't have too get down too low with a TLR - but sometimes I do get my knees dirty.
Post a Comment
Technically the 'seed' heads on the left have lost detail; DoF, exposure or slow shutter speed may have caused the problem.
I probably would have corrected the vertical, but that's my problem! :-)
Without the chain, I don't think that there would be enough here to keep me interested - which is sort of a silly comment because you took the photo with the chain! But I suppose I mean that this teeters on the edge for me. If I were in a hurry it would be a weed, but if I had the time and was in the right mood, then it would be a flower arrangement.
You'd not be wanting to take anything I say too seriously...
Apart from anything else I think about this photo, it is a lovely example of the use of tones as a part of a composition. The white 'bit' bottom left corner and the black 'bit' mid left edge are both very necessary to the overall success, for example.
At any rate, bravo to this attractive little grass for making it to the point of having flowers.
I like the diagonal left to right flow of it all, including the chain -- and the foreground detail that emphasizes the harsh environment of the drive. Curious as to how low you needed to get for this view.
Colin - in answer to the question you raised about form/content the other day, my take on this photo is that it lies close to 100% form.
jyarashi = plaything
I thought the title worked well with what I saw as a bird-like figure comprised of the plant and chain...