Thomas More's Utopia

© Peter W. Marks

Thomas More's  Utopia

Uploaded: April 18, 2012

Description

On a disused electric company building in Norwich UK, in 2006, Rory Macbeth and a group from the art college painted all 40,000 plus words from Sir Thomas More's book Utopia, written in 1516.
The building was earmarked for demolition in 2006 but this unique work of art is still there. (2012).

Exif: F Number: 5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/200 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 70.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 50D

Comments

Peter W. Marks December 10, 2013

I have never shown this image previously as it was so badly shot but it should fit well for Dales Studium and punctum theme. Weird but truly unique,I only wish I had taken the time to make a decent job of it. #1555551

Susan Williams December 10, 2013

Wow, Peter. I so wish this were mine. I think if you straighten top by whatever method that costs the least amount of canvas, you're there. It's very, very cool. When I zoom in, it's clearly readable. I'm in awe. Truly. #10919272

Dale Hardin December 11, 2013

What was the reason for the work to be done in the first place, Peter, and why that particular book?

Susan has a good idea and a simple transform/distort adjustment of raising and moving the upper right corner is all it takes for a correction. An auto levels adjustment helps a wee bit also. #10919602

Dale Hardin December 11, 2013

What was the reason for the work to be done in the first place, Peter, and why that particular book?

Susan has a good idea and a simple transform/distort adjustment of raising and moving the upper right corner is all it takes for a correction. An auto levels adjustment helps a wee bit also. #10919603

Kalena Randall December 11, 2013

This is very cool, Peter. A book on a building! I agree with the leveling of it a bit as well. #10919607

Michael Kelly level-deluxe December 11, 2013

It fits well with the theme. I don't see that you did that bad a job in capturing this other than being slightly off axis. The straightening suggested should fix that. #10919625

Sherran Andersen level-classic December 11, 2013

I like this too... I agree, a simple skew or whatever will make it better. Cool find. #10919695

Peter W. Marks December 11, 2013

Yes I could easily straighten it but I was rather hoping you all would not look at this image for its (lack of) photographic merit but rather as a thought-provoking image. It perhaps illustrates what I usually bang on about, and that is that arguably it is what is "in' an image not how well it is done, that is more important. Thank you Dale for asking why the building was painted and why More's "Utopia". I will provide a web link that will lead you to the answers as it is too long for me to try to explain.
The book was written as a critical satire of Henry Vii's England in the 16th century projecting how he perceived a future world. One very small prediction that has become oh so true, is as follows.
"Before you get married you should see your partner naked" although this is an allegory for checking things out thoroughly before committing to any contract.


I could easily straighten it but I was rather hoping you all would not look at this image for its (lack of) photographic merit but rather as a thought-provoking image. It perhaps illustrates what I usually bang on about, and that is that arguably it is what is "in' an image not how well it is done, that is more important. Thank you Dale for asking why the building was painted and why More's "Utopia". I will provide a web link that will lead you to the answers as it is too long for me to try to explain.
The book was written as a critical satire of Henry Vii's England in the 16th century projecting how he perceived a future world. One very small prediction that has become oh so true, is as follows.
"Before you get married you should see your partner naked" although this is an allegory for checking things out thoroughly before committing to any contract.

Here are a couple of URLs that tell you a little more

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/393040289_10df9aa6eb.jpg

http://sculpturefornorwich.co.uk/NorwichSculpture.php?id=208


#10919748

Dale Hardin December 11, 2013

Peter, just as a clarification, we do care what the image is about, but this is a critique club and if an interesting image, which this is, can also be more interesting photographically, then why not?

After all, my friend, that is what the club is for and please don't take offence, but I don't chide you for taking an interesting photo so why chide me for attempting to improve the craft? #10919819

Elaine Hessler December 11, 2013

Hmmm. Bee's nest.

It is thought provoking Peter. #10919882

Susan Williams December 11, 2013

Peter, I also found this image to be very thought-provoking and was inspired to learn more based on the information you provided. I think all effective images inspire more than a lingering look - whether that involves further research or just spurs a memory that changes the course of one's day. Critiquing an image doesn't isn't the be all, end all. I am delighted you shared this one. I love it and I'll still love it whether you straighten it up or not. :)
#10919909

Jeff E Jensen December 12, 2013

Interesting image, Peter. I'd love to see it in person some day.

Dale is right, this is a critique club and it's what we do :o) #10920239

Peter W. Marks December 12, 2013

Well Dale and Jeff , I hope it isn't too pedantic of me to say that if I read it correctly, our club charter has three reasons for existing
1. To have fun (and I think we do!)
2. As a place to help one another by commenting and critiquing ( Yup, plenty of that.)
3. As a place to ask questions and general discussion. (Some of that too)

I think Dale you will agree I have heaped praise on your technical skills and certainly admire your willingness to spend considerable time on creating great tutorials for other's benefits and I have praised your movement towards some really interesting open- air portraiture. And I believe that it is with these portraits that you are truly looking into the soul of the subject not just calculating whether you should remove that small blemish on his skin. Now having said that, for my part I hope I can persuade folk that it would be interesting if they were to tell us why they made the shot or what emotion they feel from looking at someone else's. We have been together long enough to barely need reminding that sometimes our verticals aren't vertical although if the only object is to get some judge's approval then I guess that is fair enough. But should that be all there is to an image?
And just two other points; surely my comments re the contents of an image are equally a critique as any thoughts on straightening, so I believe I fulfill item no. 2 in our charter.
The other point is that as I thanked you for your enquiry as to who and what Thomas More and Utopia are I am at a loss to see how it could be interpreted that I had chided you.(oxford dictionary- 'to scold'.
Peace brothers.

And just to show how much I care I will attempt to down load a close up of the offending wonky wall with the brick courses so straight it will amaze you.

#10920346

Dale Hardin December 12, 2013

Thanks for the detailed comments Peter. I actually agree with most of them.

I especially like the idea of sharing the emotional reason for the shot when that is a factor. Admittedly, most of the time it is not. It's merely an artistic exercise, and if we admit it, rarely is there an emotional reason for taking most of our photos. Other than it is something we desire to record as a memory.

As far as the chiding, I was not referring to this image in particular. It's just that it's very common when we suggest removing this, or straightening that, we get a rebuff of sorts for not "seeing the story" and worrying too much about artistic details.

I contend we know that, and that "seeing the story" is enhanced by not having distractions in the shot. Distractions such as bad focus, crooked horizons, debris all over, etc.,etc.

LOL! And to all this, you crack me up and I enjoy the banter. By the way, thanks for the close-up of the writing on the wall. It's easy to read, but the first post was more interesting. And I was not "offended" by the wonky wall. It was simply a distraction that visually diminished enjoyment of a good photo. #10920382

Peter W. Marks December 12, 2013

You're my man Dale! I don't really disagree with any thing you say but now that I am retired I sometimes get bored and you are the only one who gives as good as he gets. :0)
Incidentally, after our little exchange I went to your blog site. I had forgotten where it was but Google did me proud. It took a few tries with different wording and deciding that as there appear to be 13 Dale Hardins in the US according to some sites; and 'Curmudgeonly ol' sod' didn't work; neither did 'Straight line Hardin'
In fact all that did was take me to images of someone's hospital heart monitor flat-lining and quite upset me!
But with patience I don't usually boast of, I found you buddy and may I say I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the pow-wow/re-enactment pics we have not yet seen on Phellos. I also read your 'straightening tutorial' but nothing I didn't already know there LOL. What I was also pleased to find though was your link to Teresa's blog and spent an emotional half hour there. I so admire that kid.
#10920412

Dale Hardin December 12, 2013

ROFL!!! I about split a gut reading about your attempt to find my blog. FUNNY!!!! #10920501

Rita K. Connell level-classic December 13, 2013

I learned long along not to ask you change your images. Its the story you want to tell and the stories we have loved and has added to our own images, with this no exception. I love this I can't imaging being the painter. Great find and perfect for the challenge.

cheers to both of you banters. #10920733

Beth Spencer December 13, 2013

I am glad I am late on this one! Personally I like the first one the best!! It has more character! #10921207

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