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The Runner

© Peter W. Marks

The Runner

Uploaded: January 16, 2011

Description

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, Model: Canon EOS 20D

Comments

Peter W. Marks January 16, 2011

The Runner or Shank's Pony. My entry for this month's Phello's challenge.
The earliest form of transport was one's feet and legs and a common expression in England if one was complaining about missing the bus or having no transport was to be told by Nana "Stop moaning Peter, just use Shank's Pony like we all had to when we were kids". Oh, how I can still hear her. God rest her soul'! #1344657

Dale Hardin January 16, 2011

Nice image with a very interesting story Peter. Had never heard the term of Shank's pony before. Fits the challenge very well also. I like. #9167064

Jeff E Jensen January 17, 2011

Well done, Peter. I like that you got her passing the bus stop sign. #9168215

Joan E. Hoffman January 17, 2011

We, in Canada, at those of us of a certain age, also use the expression Shank's pony! Nowadays it seems when you tell kids to walk... the reply is ON MY FEET???? ROFL

I remember this one Peter, and like it as much as the first time I saw it! #9168459

Peter W. Marks January 17, 2011

Thanks friends. It is cold and grey and it was easier to to look back through my old images than to go out and shoot something original. This one, shot in Oxford, UK was just cropped and fiddled with a bit but it was the concept of Shanks Pony that I was having fun with.
According to Google, this is usually renedered as Shank's Mare in the USA and do I take your point Joan! When I first came over here 18 years ago I couldn't believe that school buses stopped about every 100 yards in some of the more tightly housed residential streets to pick up kids. And I am not even going to talk about the obesity epidemic! lol #9168538

Beth Spencer January 17, 2011

Interesting picture, I like the solitude of the runner. I was just wondering if she is running to or from something. #9168819

Peter W. Marks January 17, 2011

Thanks Beth. She is a stranger but I would guess she was getting her morning training run in. I was there as my wife Elizabeth was at Wadham College, Oxford University giving an art presentation to an international conference. I was way across a wide street but had a telephoto on my Canon so made a couple of quick images. I like street photography much more than posed images but you just have to accept that for every one that works there are a bunch to delete. Aren't we glad we have digital! #9168866

Rita K. Connell level-classic January 18, 2011

this is a great street shot pete I like that there is plenty of room for her to run into and as jeff said the bus signs adds a little something to the scene.
congrats on the EP nice one! #9169844

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict January 18, 2011

Kudos on the EP, Peter and also a good presentation of the month's challenge!
I too like it as much as I did the first time I saw it ~ #9171185

Stephen Shoff January 18, 2011

Nice capture, Peter. Lots of space to move into and supportive leading lines.

Are you sure you weren't really commenting on the state of the bus system? #9172244

Debbie E. Payne January 19, 2011

Great shot for the theme, Peter! I like how you left her lots of space in the image to run into and as everyone has said - I think the bus stop sign lends a certain something to the story. #9174848

Peter W. Marks January 19, 2011

And a warm thank-you to reach of you.
I take your point Stephen, but in reality 'No'. Elizabeth and I were staying with a friend closer in towards London and drove the 30 miles to Oxford each day. We parked at one of the five "Park and Ride" bus terminals on the ring-road that skirts the city and the buses were about every 10minutes into the city itself and all the colleges there. It was a admirable system for keeping this ancient university city relatively free of heavy traffic. I was actually waiting at a bus stop on the opposite side of the street from where I shot this image and saw the runner approaching and while hastening to get my camera out of the bag did note that the subject passing a bus-stop might add to the image. #9174988

Carla Capra Anderson January 20, 2011

Hi Peter and congratulations on the EP.
This is an awesome candid image. I really admire your candid's. I enjoy the leading lines of the painted road line, curb, front n back of sidewalk and architectural trim create a strong feeling of movement. Also, like the way the b/g warms from grays to light shades umber. The sign is a perfect touch and without it I don't think this would be as visually strong as it is.
Love it.
;0) CC #9180039

Teresa H. Hunt January 20, 2011

Great entry for this month's challenge. I like it as much as I did the first time I saw it. :)

Now did you go ask for permission to take her photo? I like street photography, but I don't shoot street photography because I'm never sure what the legal aspects are. #9180441

Peter W. Marks January 20, 2011

You are both most kind ladies and I thank you.
The building we see is University College which is the oldest of all the 36 plus colleges within Oxford University. It was formed in the year 1249, way before old Christopher C. discovered you fine folk! The stonework you mention Carla are of two types of limestone from local quarries in Oxfordshire; beautiful but much of the facing stonework had to be replaced a couple of hundred years ago because of air pollution damage.
Apart from several English prime Ministers educated at this college, Bill Clinton is also an alumni (not that I am boasting about that.) Shelley the poet was also here and there is a statue dedicated to him laying naked on a plinth in the college grounds. This was created to memorialize Shelley's death by drowning in the Mediterranean sea when not yet 30yrs of age and represents his body being washed up on the shore. Over the years, there have been occasions when students have as a joke painted his genitalia and it is reported that all the subsequent cleaning off has had a diminishing effect on poor Shelley's manhood.
So there folks, you now know something you most likely did not know yesterday.
As for your question Teresa. I am not sure if it is serious. You didn't really think I would chase down this lovely young thing to ask her that, did you? lol
But seriously, if an image is made of someone in a public place there would only be a problem if it were somehow libelous or used for commercial gain and she would have to be recognizable even then. Furthermore if the image is journalistic then it would be fair game. Think of all the people that crowd around the reporters on Times Square every morning. No one gets release notes from them I think we can be sure.
#9180945

Ellen H. Robertson level-classic January 22, 2011

I really like this Peter. Besides what has already been said, I too like she is alone and has alot of room to run into. The fact that she is running past the bus sign, this could be used for some sort of fitness poster.

Interesting you mentioned the buses stopping every 100 feet. We have found that when we hire kids for the summer catering, we want either kids that have horses or kids that have worked on a farm. Seems they are not afraid of work.

#9185905


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