Ooh. This is quite a challenging picture really. A simple subject – the still woman and moving traffic, but made both graphic and political by her garb. I’m left wanting to know the lady inside the dress, but this could so easily be read in all sorts of ways. In France I suspect this would seem a very ‘loaded’ image.
I wonder if the lean of the dividing post and the lady contribute to a sense of tension here too?
the media have done a good job making us all a bit angst when we see an image like this, the lean helping with that feeling of tension. When I say good job I don’t mean in a good way, they play with the minds of the man on the street very well.
We should feel no different about taking a picture of a person dressed this way than if we took a picture of someone in jeans and shirt.
Yes a good picture, off kilter and unsettling.
John I have mixed feelings about this to be honest. My thoughts are along the same lines as the others who replied before me. Without knowing the message you want to convey, it is difficult to comment on the photograph. Clever? Yes. Kilter and unsettling? Yes. Thought provoking picture? Definitely.
Cem – it is more straight observation! Mostly, in this case, to do with cultural mixing but very much what one sees. It’s my form of Street Photography.
Thanks for the clarification John. I find that this works well as an observational piece of SP, let the looker to decide what to make of it. As I wrote above, it is definitely thought provoking.
Perhaps because I’ve seen many of your street images and understand that you are an “observer” — I did not take this to have a message or statement. Nor did I feel much tension as some have mentioned. The burka — and the person inside it — does interest me, and I wonder about her and her life. The very bright colors surrounding that mysterious all-black figure works very well to emphasize the uniqueness of it in that setting.
Out of curiosity I googled the word “burka” and was taken aback to find that most of the hits were for or about Halloween costumes!
Stills V3
Ooh. This is quite a challenging picture really. A simple subject – the still woman and moving traffic, but made both graphic and political by her garb. I’m left wanting to know the lady inside the dress, but this could so easily be read in all sorts of ways. In France I suspect this would seem a very ‘loaded’ image.
I wonder if the lean of the dividing post and the lady contribute to a sense of tension here too?
A clever picture. Well done.
Comment by sojournerphoto — January 17, 2012 @ 23:35
the media have done a good job making us all a bit angst when we see an image like this, the lean helping with that feeling of tension. When I say good job I don’t mean in a good way, they play with the minds of the man on the street very well.
We should feel no different about taking a picture of a person dressed this way than if we took a picture of someone in jeans and shirt.
Yes a good picture, off kilter and unsettling.
Comment by rhoehne — January 18, 2012 @ 03:33
The vehicles do add a strong feeling of the word rushing by whilst the lady calmly waits for permission to cross. I do like the lean.
It is interesting how hoodies and burkas have ended up in the same group of intimidating clothing due to our hysterical red tops.
Comment by Rex — January 22, 2012 @ 20:36
John I have mixed feelings about this to be honest. My thoughts are along the same lines as the others who replied before me. Without knowing the message you want to convey, it is difficult to comment on the photograph. Clever? Yes. Kilter and unsettling? Yes. Thought provoking picture? Definitely.
Comment by Cem — January 22, 2012 @ 22:38
Cem – it is more straight observation! Mostly, in this case, to do with cultural mixing but very much what one sees. It’s my form of Street Photography.
Comment by zavaell — January 23, 2012 @ 07:56
Thanks for the clarification John. I find that this works well as an observational piece of SP, let the looker to decide what to make of it. As I wrote above, it is definitely thought provoking.
Comment by Cem — January 23, 2012 @ 09:10
Perhaps because I’ve seen many of your street images and understand that you are an “observer” — I did not take this to have a message or statement. Nor did I feel much tension as some have mentioned. The burka — and the person inside it — does interest me, and I wonder about her and her life. The very bright colors surrounding that mysterious all-black figure works very well to emphasize the uniqueness of it in that setting.
Out of curiosity I googled the word “burka” and was taken aback to find that most of the hits were for or about Halloween costumes!
Comment by Christina — January 24, 2012 @ 04:54