I wanted the version of this image I posted to capture the total ordinariness of the scene/area. I don't know what I had expected, but when I left the conference to head to the museum/memorial a few blocks away, I didn't expect an ordinary street, a pretty fountain, and without fanfare, the familiar building surrounded by familiar street names ("the limousine made a right turn onto Main before the sharp left onto Elm"). I was 14 and leaving band practice when I heard students talking in the hall about someone being shot. But I was hurrying to take a chemistry test. During the test, I remember other teachers coming and and whispering to my teacher. At the end of class, he told us about Kennedy's death. To see the spot in person, walk through the 6th floor which is now a museum, stand and look out the window to the street below with the "sight line" now obstructed by the trees with 50 years of growth. . . I just didn't expect it to look so ordinary and be so small an area. The grassy knoll is to the left of the fountain. The upper right corner window is where the assassin stood. Main Street is to the right. Elm Street separates the park area from the building -- the first five floors actively used as a county court and administration building. Just an ordinary city scene, but yet it isn't.
Oh my...I just got a catch in my throat reading this. It does look normal and lovely. I was 17 and in an assembly when we heard...it was an out this world feeling. It is a lovely image and beautifully processed. It looks warm there!!
@eyesmile I had the same reaction just thinking about being there. it was a defining moment for our country of course, but also for our generation. It was a beautiful day, but is dropping 40 degrees tonite, and another 10 tomorrow, with major ice storms. Hoping to get home Saturday without problems, but had to cancel a one day trip Friday to San Antonio.
@maggiemae Thanks Maggiemae. Yes, I used HDR to combine 3 shots as the sun was so bright that I either blew out the sky or the fountain was too dark to see, and I wanted the full details to show.
@taffy I love San Antonio...especially at Christmas. So sorry you will miss that. One of my favorites. This cold thing is covering the whole SW. Be safe!
This is a lovely capture and narrative, Taffy! It has an air of solitude - perhaps it's the processing. I really like it.
Hope the weather holds up for you - I am flying to Kansas City tomorrow until Sunday - a bit concerned about weather!
Wow! Excellent capture and narration! You were most successful in capturing your intent! The scene certainly does look ordinary. The fascinating thing for me is that In my brain that entire horrendous event took place in b&w!
The processing gives this image more detail and character. I just watched the documentary of the events a couple weeks ago on the 50th anniversary. It was a defining moment- I was in class like you -- heard the news from the teacher. I remember my mother sitting in front of the TV crying. And I can still see the image of the motorcade. I like your softer, gentler version.
Very moving narrative Taffy it took me right back to the day and hearing the news from a passing stranger outside my house. We were talking about this yesterday and a group of five of us all remembered where we were and what we were doing - a defining moment in time. Love the shot and the clarity. A beautiful image!! It sounds like you will be getting some extreme weather - be safe!!
It does not look so ordinarily to me but I can well understand that you waited for something different, it always is so strange when the great historical places look, well so ordinarily. I remember I was absolutely stunned when I visited the Auswitch that it was so colourful, having seen only b&w pics and documents of it i kind of expected it to look like that grey and gloomy but instead it was really green and all the flowers were blooming, it was hard to remember what horrors had taken place there when you saw the spring in its glory. Of course it still was very distracting place, it will never be a nice place no mather how many flowers they´d plant there.
We were there a few years ago, and I had the same feeling. I thought it was all rather drab and ordinary. Your photo is wonderfully rich, beautiful. I was also 14 and in math class when the announcement was made. Some things you never forget.
I think we view those defining moments of history as something beyond commonplace and never really believe they happen in ordinary places. And yet they are very ordinary- until the event that changes everything happens there. I remember hearing that the assassination of President Kennedy was the defining moment for that generation just as 9-11 was the defining moment for its generation. Powerful words and great capture.
Very much enjoyed reading your narrative - and interesting to read your reaction to being there and how 'ordinary' it felt. I was 11 at the time and remember my parents reaction and the emotion and sadness which filled the house.
I've been to Dallas and we saw the Book Depository building as part of a guided tour. I was born after President Kennedy was killed but it was still very moving to see the place in person. This really does bring the history to life.
wonderful shot and narrative! Very moving and great HDR! Thanks for pointing out the spot on mine:) Dang dirty sensors. I tried to fix it up a bit with pic monkey. Good eye!
Your narrative is enthralling. Like others said, you brought history to life! What a contrast to the ordinariness of this image. Life does go on, but never the same again. Thank you for sharing. Also, beautiful image. Your HDR processing is perfect. I appreciate the details and balance without the extreme "hdr-ishness" - if you know what i mean?
@sunraye I had that same feeling about the shock of seeing the color in what had always been a b&w image. I felt the same as I saw photos of the funeral, the limo driving, etc. It all was so strange.
@pamknowler Isn't it interesting how consistently we all (who were around then) remember exactly where we were and what we were doing at this moment in time? Have fun with HDR! I can't wait to see your images!
@susale You are so right. I also visited there and was surprised at how green it was. But then, the tour through the place overshadowed any of the greenery and flowers. Thank you for visiting, commenting, and sharing your experience.
@colie I hoped you didn't mind my mentioning it! It looks fine now -- the spot is totally gone. I do like that we have pic monkey for these fixes! Thanks for your visit and comments!
Yes, it is very ordinary indeed. A regular day, a regular street. I thought so too. It seems larger than life in the media, but walking it really brings reality to the front. Welcome to my city!
I was also 14 at the time. I had a foot injury and used crutches for a while, so I got to use the elevator at school, with a close friend to carry my books. We stopped between floors to have a cigarette. When we got off we heard the news. I was dumbstruck. I felt as if a favorite uncle had been shot.
@bill_fe Thanks for sharing your memory -- isn't it interesting how ingrained those details are in our memory, yet so many other memories have faded and are now inaccessible?
December 10th, 2013
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Great shot of the fountain and book warehouse!
Hope the weather holds up for you - I am flying to Kansas City tomorrow until Sunday - a bit concerned about weather!