Inspiring Photo: Both waiting #4712137

Both waiting

Uploaded: September 24, 2007 18:55:29

Description

A rather strange image.

Exif: F Number: 6.3, Exposure Bias Value: +1.67, Exposure Time: 1/200, Flash: flash did not fire, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 85mm, Camera Model: Canon EOS 20D

Comments

Lisa G. Putman September 24, 2007

I love it! That blue window really draws you in. The title is great. I didn't even notice the bird at first. Nice irony! #746199

Peter W. Marks September 25, 2007

Thank you Lisa! This image is a recrop of a much broader viewpoint across the harbor in Polperro, Cornwall, UK. At first I didn't notice the seagull but when I did, I saw in my mind an interesting juxtaposition of the elderly woman with an expression of resignation as she perhaps approaches the closing years of her life whilst the very young seagull which has not yet grown the pure white feathers of an adult bird stands puzzled as it wonders where the ocean went as the tide receded.
I deliberately cropped this so that it ignored "rule of thirds" which sometimes is persued to the absurd, whilst creativity is ignored. The black versus the bright, sunlit white, creates a tension which as you perceptively point out Lisa creates an irony. Dark-light, age-youth.
Thank you again.

Pete #4842785

Joan Kocak September 25, 2007

the first thing I thought of was the american painter McNeill's "whistler's mother"!!!! very intriguing to read your thoughts, and the image is a haunting one~ #4845516

Peter W. Marks September 25, 2007

You are so kind Joan; thank you! I know the painting to which you refer and I guess there is a similarity with that detached look on the old lady's face. I find myself wanting to sit and talk with her next time we are back in Cornwall.
Looking through the galleries on BP I find myself increasingly attracted to images of people where their expressions or actions demand some input from me, even if only in thought.

Regards,

Pete
#4845760

Kathleen Brennan October 01, 2007

Evocative and emotional, Peter. It brings up longing and loss for me. #4869560

Peter W. Marks October 01, 2007

Thank you so much Kathleen. I am still trying to find where I want to be with my photography. When I return to my native Cornwall each year, nostalgia is 90 percent of choice of image. They really don't have to mean too much to other folk. When I shoot a harbor with boats and fishing nets I am recapturing, sights, sounds and smells of my childhood, my youth and adult vacations. But when I manage to capture something like the old lady in the "Waiting" image or my "Girl on a Train" I am attempting to take it up a couple of notches to where someone looking at them can interpret them in their own way and apply their own emotions.
Thank you again Kathleen. #4871228

Joan Kocak October 25, 2007

CONGRATS Pete, beautiful work! #4977395

Megan p October 25, 2007

Congratulations Peter, I really do enjoy this image! Wonderful color too! #4978724

Peter W. Marks October 25, 2007

Thank you Joan and Megan. I did kind of hope this image would have some recognition although I am not to deep into trying to win contests.(if I were, I would enter dozens of imasges of flowers lol) I enter them on BP contests because that is where other members seem to browse and I would like to get the occasional feed back.
This image of the old lady is not something one could plan ahead so it is just plain luck when the opportunity presents itself.
Have a great day friends,

Pete #4979654

Gail Vitikacs October 25, 2007

Congratulations on an amazing finalist! #4980676

Peter W. Marks October 25, 2007

Thank you very much Gail and a warm hello!

Regards,
Peter #4981151

Pat Gamwell October 30, 2007

WTG, Peter! BIG CONGRATS on this fabulous finalist! #5007151

Peter W. Marks October 30, 2007

Thank you Pat! And may I say how delighted I am that your image of the young lady with Downes Syndrome has received such a huge amount of compassionate and admiring responses from so many BP members. Bravo!

Pete #5007239

Amber Kennedy December 30, 2007

VERY strange ...BUT very intriguing image....I LIKE it! #5269613

Peter W. Marks December 30, 2007

Thank you so very much Amber.
I have just retired from work this past Friday so I am hoping that I can devote more time to photography. When I look at other folks' galleries on BP I realise that I have a long way to go with the quality of my images. I have a good sense of composition and cover a vast range of subjects but am impatient, so selecting the right settings on my Canon 20D tends to be somewhat rushed. My horizons invariably lean to the right which I insist to my wife is caused by my right leg being shorter than my left. It isn't really but since I herniated a disc a couple of years back I do tend to stand with my weight on that side and don't notice the tilt until someone remarks on it!
So my New Years resolution is "try harder" and read the manual!

Regards, Pete #5270147

Penelope Pereira February 29, 2008

Hi Pete

This is remarkable, I think when your eye is drawn to a pic and it holds your attention, then you have created a masterpiece. This pic keeps your eye fascinated to it.

Penny #5575504

Peter W. Marks March 01, 2008

Thanks for dropping by Penny and your very kind comments. We are returning to Cornwall for a vacation this summer and no doubt will visit Polperro again but I kinda doubt the old lady will be sitting in the window again! The seagull certainly will not still be waiting for me!
With a whole month back there I am hoping that I can do some much more "intentional" photography rather than quickly grabbed shots-Cornwall, my birthplace has so much variety of scenery and ancient history that I could fill a dozen hrad-drives with images without repetition.
Regards, Peter #5576130

Penelope Pereira March 02, 2008

Peter

Have a blast in Cornwall, I am sure you will return with some wonderful pics. Looking forward to seeing them on your site.

Penny

#5582959

Peter W. Marks March 02, 2008

Thanks Penny! I shall buy a cheapie tripod while over there and leave it with my family for future trips. None of my images are very sharp so I need to do that as an antidote to old-age shakes! #5583098

Jeffrey D. Estacio May 14, 2008

This is priceless Peter. Nice catch. #5921649

Peter W. Marks May 15, 2008

Thank you so very much Jeffrey for dropping by and your most kind comments.
Now I am off to take a look at your gallery!
Pete #5926362

Jeff Millard September 28, 2008

Oh this is really great... love this one! (Oh..and I threw in another 'leg' pic for you on my gallery: Biker Chicks and Butterfly). Jeff #6525450

Peter W. Marks September 28, 2008

Thanks Jeff! Now I am off to your gallery to see the Biker Chicks. Cheers, Pete #6525476

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