Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Study of a doorway as avoidance mechanism

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Yes, there is a war on. No, my family is not in range. Yes, it's stressful anyway as I worry about those I know, and all those I don't, within rocket range or wearing a uniform and wonder how close the rockets will eventually come. I figure blogging and compulsive photoshopping is as good a way of any to not obsess about the war any more than necessary to stay informed and to avoid thinking about the fact that we the people of the world have apparently learned nothing in the past year (why should we, we haven't any other year?) and are going to screw things up just as badly in 2009 as we did in 2008. So much for the hope of a bright new year.
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So here. Look. Pictures.
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First, here's the straight out of the camera shot. Nice subject, but not spectacular. It's got character though, so let's see what it can do.
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This one really highlights the door's old and falling apart antique feel. Nice, but it still doesn't really do it for me. A lot of the story of this facade is told in its fading colors, I feel you lose too much of that by omitting them.
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Back to my lonely writer's photographer's garret (bonus points if you can identify the quote; hint: it's from a 1970's song) for another attempt.
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Bingo!
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This one I like. It's got grit. It's got color. It's got texture. And, it's still got that old and forlorn feel to it. Pay dirt.
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Which one gets your vote?
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My very best wishes to all of you for a happy, healthy, and above all PEACEFUL new year.
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Visit Sepia Scenes to see what's on everyone else's minds this week, photographically speaking.
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37 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

I prefer the bottom photo. ;-) Very nice, Robin.

All the best in 2009!

Jan said...

I, too, like the last one. It pops!

Kahshe Cottager said...

All three have a different feeling! I liked them all.

My wishes to you for a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year!

Mojo said...

Keep your chin up and your head down Robin... we may learn something yet. Hopefully before too many more have to perish on the altar of stupidity.

At the risk of being called a contrarian, I'm actually partial to the original. I agree that you lose perhaps too much of the character by leaving out the colors, but I like the faded, aged look in the first one.

That said, the final version does have power, I'm just a tiny bit ambivalent about punching up the blue in the metalwork. Now the contrast enhancement in the stone is another matter, and that may be why it's so difficult for me to choose between them.

Stay safe all of you!

kayleen said...

I guess I'm a contrarian also. I like the first better than the third. I like the middle too. Stay safe and Happy New Year!

anymommy said...

Beautiful. I like the last one too.

I have been thinking about you and hoping you're safe. I know so many are not. I wish the year would be peaceful, truly deeply peaceful, for the entire world.

Dawn Fortune said...

I liked the first one best, but that's me. I rarely "get" art anyway.

The song reference was for an Elton John song, but I can't nail which one. How 'bout a hint?

Robin said...

Nope, not Elton John. Try again ;-).

Libby's Library said...

They are all great photos, but I really prefer the first one!
I need lots of hints <:^)

Robin said...

Think fruit ;-). And it's actually the commentary within a song on a recorded album.

Janet said...

The last one, definitely...I have a thing for blue :-)

Leora said...

I keep looking at the top and bottom blues...the bottom one is richer, but the top seems more true. It's a great subject for experimenting. Love both the blue compositions.

Anonymous said...

Each is beautiful in its own way but the third photo surely stands out!!

Ralph said...

I like the middle one, the antique feeling on the beat up door looks authentic. This shot feels real.

Happy New Year and peace to you and yours. As a fan of Israel, I hope for peace over there. The shame is that only one side cares about life and makes efforts toward peace. Blessed be the peacemakers?

Phyllis Sommer said...

i like 'em all. i'm just glued to the computer/news...throwing things often at the tv, tho. all eyes on the east....happy new year.

Anonymous said...

All the 3 different shades are looking good.

Happy 2009 to you and yours :)

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I like all three, but I think the last one is the best. Happy New Year.

"Sunshine" said...

Is it that song with "yes we have no bananas"???

Happy new year :)

Annie Jeffries said...

Number three is overflowing with sparkle. I really like this. Happy New Year to you.

Libby's Library said...

I'm making a "stab in the dark" here...The Lemon Song by
Led Zeppelin?

Libby's Library said...

Strange Fruit?
Fruit Salad by the Wiggles?
Tangerine?
Okay - my hand are tired from "Googling"!
I don't have a clue, after all, I'm an "old fogie', I don't even remember the 70's.

Robin said...

Sunshine came closest with the title and I think she's actually thinking of the right song.

It's Harry Chapin's 30,000 Pounds of Bananas.

Look here for an explanation of the quote :-).

As for the photos, I was telling Jazz (Mojo) yesterday - the original shot was taken late in the afternoon after I'd already lost the light on a dreary overcast day that had already sucked all the color out of everything. The first shot is more like what I actually saw that afternoon, but to me the third shot more accurately reflects the scene's potential :). Anyway, that's the thing about art - it's all subjective and there are no wrong answers. I've enjoyed hearing all of your preferences and the reasons behind them. Thanks for playing along, and best wishes for the new year.

Tim said...

I'm with you on the third one.

My prayers are with you.

Jientje said...

We think of you, and the people in Israel, Robin, we do. It must be terrible to live in a threatening situation like that, and it must create very mixed feelings, seeing other people celebrating without a care in the world. The truth is, we do care. And I pray that peace WILL come in your part of the world, and that the hard of learning WILL realize what the hell they are doing to their people.

That said, I wish you a happy New Year, happy blogging , photo shooting and photo shopping.

As for the pictures, I prefer the natural look. I like the third one too, but to me that one looks like a picture for a glossy magazine. Where they photoshop anything and everything, you never get the real truth. That's why I like the first one. Truth.

Robin said...

Thank you Jientje, and I DO know that you care, and it does help.

Happy new year my friend.

Anonymous said...

Hey girl. I like that photo very much. I prefer the first one, though. The subdued colors do it for me.

I'm thinking of you daily and have you in what prayers I say. I was hoping that the New Year would be one filled with peace. I won't give up, yet.

Hugs to you and yours.

When I count my blessings...you are one of them.

"Sunshine" said...

Robin, I have to confess I had to do a little "research" via Google to come up with the answer. Never actually heard the song, darn it.

Onto the photos... last night (or, last year for me--however you want to look at it), I was leaning toward the 1st photo. However, in 2009, I prefer the 3rd photo. I'm generally a huge fan of sepia, but I agree with you--there's character in the colors with this subject, so my vote is going to the enhanced version.

I think blogging and compulsive photoshopping is a great means of escapism from all the horrors that are surrounding you. Have a safe and happy 2009!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year :)

I like the first and the third, but I guess I'd pick the third, because the blue is a little more vivid. :)

Maria's Space said...

I think this subject would look fab no matter how change it.

Interesting subject.

MyMaracas said...

I've wondered about you, and I'm so glad to hear you are OK.

I don't recognize the song, I'm afraid. But I love the photos. I like the third one best, though it is a great subject in sepia.

I hope you have a happier, more peaceful new year.

Tina - omme i London said...

I like the coldness of the first picture as I think it suits the subject the best.

Happy New Year to you and yours. May it be filled with happiness, good health and, above all, peace!

Dora said...

The door looks like it's going to come down. ;p

Happy New Year to u and ur loved ones. :)

SandyCarlson said...

I like 'em all. Each suggests a different mood.

I hope things are resolved soon in your land. So sad and frustrating to know human beings can stir up so much trouble at the expense of others. Saddening and maddening!

Julie said...

I like all three also, it would be nice in stark black and white also. Just an interesting door.

maryt/theteach said...

Robin, all three are exquisite! I love the sepia one (I'm prejudiced, right?) but the 3rd shot caught my eye - it's marvelous!

I'm thinking about you Robin and hoping you and family and friends (and everyone) are safe...

A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to you!

Wendelyn DeMoss said...

Will continue to keep you and your friends in my prayers. Love all three pics but have to say since the I know the first one came from your eye and straight out of camera I love it best.

RivkA with a capital A said...

Late to the vote, but I like the first one best.

Nice shot!