contemplation

"What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action." - Meister Eckhart

walked down to the market at lunchtime as i had not been there in so many weeks! passed by this lady who held a book on her lap, her lunch bag beside her, staring intently at the fountain ahead of her. almost an hour later when i passed by again, she was still in the same position. thankfully her eyes were open and she blinked so i knew she was okay so i walked back and took a few shots.

i took more photos of bikes and wheels and motorcycles and stupid cars. i couldn't find any satisfaction in shooting them. this is the type of photographs i prefer, contemplative and interpretive, something that tells a story in my head, or recalls a great quote.

that's what i told partner. and he sulked and gave me the silent treatment, which he should know by now i actually enjoy then i am free to browse through my photos and your photos. and shit, he's here now smiling meaning there goes my short-lived peace and quiet.

night folks!

[Abhijit]

nicely composed. the lady is a bit lost but nice shot even without her

[Sally Ings]

Love the composition. I agree with Abhijit @abhijit that the lady is a tad lost but I think it really works like that. Helps with the atmosphere of the shot and your description of her.

[Chris]

There is always an urge and a bit of a worry to know what is happening in a scene like this. Let's home the subject of the photo is OK.

[June]

Maybe she was meditating! She has picked a good place to sit and enjoy the lovely fountain anyway!

[Laurie F]

very lovely shot

[Deb]

It looks like the perfect place to sit and think!

[Cheryl Sim]

Keep doing what you do so well and ignore sulking. "A day spent without the sight or sound of beauty, the contemplation of mystery, or the search of truth or perfection is a poverty-stricken day; and a succession of such days is fatal to human life" ~Lewis Mumford

[Carol W]

I love this and the story behind it. For those who say the lady is a little lost, I would suggest that we are seeing the scene through her eyes and that she is not the subject, the fountain is the subject. That is what she is contemplating. Great image.I really like it.

[Terry]

great picture for your caption

[Traci McLaughlin]

I'm so sorry! I looked at your albums last week when the pairings were first posted but never issued your challenge. It's been a crazy weekend/week.

I challenge you to photograph lines & shadows...

[Katie]

Certainly an image that tells a story - great job with the composition here, really well balanced.

[Sue]

very nice shot

[cheryl]

thanks for the chuckle.. duct tape works sometimes.... ;-) lovely shot. you could have been searching for pig snouts...

[Maggiemae]

I agree with you about the story of the picture - adds so much more to the beauty of it if that is what it has. You must remember, Vikki, males don't understand the way our minds work!

[Claire]

I just love your narrative

[Ann H. LeFevre]

There is definitely a story here and after sitting through a couple hours at the photo club, I know that it's possible to blur the background at bit and bring the light/brightness of it down, but I can't explain how they did it! But that's what you would do to make her stand out more- make her brighter and the background lighter- especially the fountain because your eye is drawn to that bright spot. But it's a really nice shot as far as the story goes.