Marking Where You've Walked by Chipka

Photography • Atmosphere/Mood • posted on Apr 15, 2008

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

This street meanders between ancient buildings, some with lights aglow behind antique windows. Brighter lights shine behind panes of newer glass, and a strange scent may guide you through this cobblestone-labyrinth. That scent is time itself. It warms you with jagged splashes of nervous (giddy?) anticipation. But you may feel dread as well as you take stock of the meandering, stone-paved way. Like life itself, this street doesn't exactly lead where you most want it to. The cobbled street makes its own wordless demands, and you walk, as others have walked. Astrologers and alchemists have called these streets their own, and they—like you—may have wandered, not lost., but simply led by the street's own demands. Now, you walk: beside your friend; the one named Pavel, and the two of you are drunk on the scent of time. It is a good walk, however; with a good friend, and because he was born here, he knows something of it, this kind of walking, something you have yet to learn. “You will come back?” he asks. “Yes,” you answer. “You will bring Victor with you?” “Of course,” you say. He nods. He knows of Victor and his artistic temperaments. He has said—of Victor, and of you—that Prague is a city kind to artists. You believe him, knowing him (this friend named Pavel) and you trust him. You turn, just once, to take stock of what lies behind you: to mark where you and Pavel have walked. You take a picture. You capture a moment; and you lie down to do it and a damp, wintery chill radiates through your coat. This chill is a strangely comfortable thing: the most familiar of companions. And as you lie on cold/damp cobblestones, capturing the night through the lens of your camera, you know that the damp, mold-friendly chill will call you back: you and the most intimate of your compatriots. You will return. To this city. To this street. *** Funny how a second-person narrative just oozed out of this picture. That's been happening to me a lot, but as always, thank you for reading and viewing!

Comments (17)

)

photostar

9:18PM | Tue, 15 April 2008

Beautiful and mysterious nighttime capture, Chip. I can just imagine the tales these old streets can tell...what they've seen, who has gone there before.

)

mbz2662

9:50PM | Tue, 15 April 2008

This is a really great atmospheric shot. I can almost smell the wet steet and feel the damp chill in the air, and your pov is awesome. Great work.

)

beachzz

10:14PM | Tue, 15 April 2008

Oh, this is stunning, simply beautiful; you've captured the night and shared it with us. And I can feel the emotions as well; that sense of leaving, for something great, but leaving things just as great behind. Isn't it always that way??

MrsLubner

11:37PM | Tue, 15 April 2008

Wonderful raw scene. Great pov.

)

GiMi53

12:04AM | Wed, 16 April 2008

Great angle, excellent night shot ! I like you presentation and story too !

)

olivier158

2:59AM | Wed, 16 April 2008

very nice picture ! great work of light .. your text add a lot to it :oD great !

)

Janiss

11:50AM | Wed, 16 April 2008

Houaaaa Chip, absolutely magic, wonderfull lighting... I adore!

)

JaneEden

12:13PM | Wed, 16 April 2008

Thanks for visiting my gallery and for your inspiring comments, meaning a lot to me dear Chip. Yes you can see I too am way behind in my comments to my fellow artists. I love this Chip the words are wonderful and intriguing, giving more interest to your excellent image and superb photography!! hugs Jane xx

)