You who are hungry, reach for the book

That's the contract signed, sealed and delivered. Yep; I've sent my signed contract for my impending new job, so barring any hitches I begin on the 14th February - Valentine's Day! At least I'll always remember the day I started.

A congested day at work and a busy evening left little time for a photo. However, I did come across a poem by Bertolt Brecht today and it inspired me to try something book-related.

In post-processing I increased the clarity and contrast, de-saturated it and gave it this green hue to give the impression of age to the books.

The poem by Bertolt Brecht is called 'Praise of Learning'. It's quite powerful and inspirational, but certainly of its time (1931). I'll leave you with my favourite part - you'll realise why I chose books as today's theme.

Learn the elementary things!
For those whose time has come
it is never too late!
Learn the ABC. It won't be enough
but learn it! Don't be dismayed by it!
Begin! You must know everything.
You must take over the leadership.

Learn, man in the asylum!
Learn, man in the prison!
Learn, woman in the kitchen!
Learn, sixty year olds!
You must take over the leadership.
Seek out the school, you who are homeless.
Acquire knowledge, you who shiver!
You who are hungry, reach for the book:
it is a weapon.
You must take over the leadership.

Canon 7D, f/1.8, 1/200, ISO-100

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

Fabulous shot! Love the shallow depth :)

[Vikdaddy]

@pocketmouse You would - you're a shallow depth addict!

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

@vikdaddy ~ lol guilty as charged!!!

[Jennifer B.]

This is great. Thanks for explaining what you did in pp--it helps rookies like me!

[Michelle (chelmck)]

very nice

[FunnyFace]

Beautifully lit :-) congrats on the new job, hope you enjoy!

[Mel A]

I really like this photo :) I love the shadows, and how it looks older than it is.

Oh and that's one huge contract!

[Vikdaddy]

@missymoo84 It's not my contract (thank goodness), just some old books off the book shelf!

[ThePoochLover]

Neat shot! didn't know books good look so good.

[Mel A]

oh right haha I read that wrong :P

[Jaydee]

love the tone! nicely done! ♥

[Constance Brinkley]

Brecht, great words and it still applies to today, the need to keep learning. Nice shot to capture the poem. Good luck with your new job. What will you be doing?

[Elizabeth Newell]

Awesome shot!

[Kirsty McLaughlan]

fab

[Rudi Teruel]

wow...some contract??? would take me a looong time to tread through that before I could even sign..... nice composition, vik... and CONGRATS AGAIN!!!

[Kathleen Setier]

Excellent choice of poetry. Congratulations on the new job. I started my current job on Feb. 14th as well - you're right, it's easy to remember.

[Boozy Soozy]

Love the DOF and the way you aged the shot. Well done on the new job.

[Jeff G.]

really cool processing. congrats on the new job.

[Rose]

Fantastic shot, I love the look.. huge congrats on your new job

[Chad Kreutzer]

Beautiful shot. reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Who: "You want weapons? We're in a library! Books! The best weapons in the world! This room's the greatest arsenal we could have - arm yourselves!" Actually, looking at that poem I wonder if it, in part, inspired that line.

[Lynn M. Watson]

One HUGE contract! The product of too many lawyers . . . LOL! Good Luck!

[christiq]

LOL, i thought that was the contract, too! great shot. i also appreciate your notes on processing. thanks!

[Steve Harvey]

congrats on your new job Vik!

[HVR]

TOTALLY love this. I am a book hound myself, and believe that almost everything we need can be found in a book information-wise. Congrats on the new job!!