Lady (in) Waiting by Chipka
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Description
The el-ride from Adams and Wabash to Kimbal is a long one, a boring one. It helps to carry a book. Indeed, the best time to read, while in Chicago, is while riding the el from one end of the city to the other. If you follow the north/south axis, you’ll face the guarantee of a long, long ride. I’ve read the bulk of Neal Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon on trips to and from Corey’s place in Albany Park. Cryptonomicon is an exceptionally long novel. Over 1100 pages in paperback…and I’ve read 90% of it to the clatter of metal train wheels on tracks, occasionally spying the arc of electricity shining (for brief instances) on the faces or backsides of buildings.
I took this picture near the end of my ride up to Corey’s place. It was during one of the earlier days of his surgical recovery and I’d been at work, busily moving heavy dental equipment from a warehouse in one suburb to a dental office in another. As I’m in the habit of taking my camera with me, everywhere, it didn’t come as a surprise that I’d spy a particular quality of light on a largely empty train car. I was fascinated by the buildings beyond the grunge-stained windows, and by the quality of light shining through. I was amazed that a woman could close her eyes and appear to sleep as peacefully as the woman here seemed to sleep. It was all fake, of course; it isn’t a good habit to sleep on a Chicago el, but there are times when it’s necessary to simply close your eyes and gaze at whatever images your imagination scrawls across your closed lids. This lady, while waiting for the end of her ride, stole a moment of rest (or was it meditation?) before the train thundered and clattered into the last stop along it's northbound line.
It sometimes becomes necessary for me to record something: light, moments, shadows…and in this case, people I know I’ll never see again, while buildings blur by outside.
I’d intended to post this picture a lot earlier than this, but other pictures vied (more successfully) for my attention…and so I’m posting it now.
I hope you enjoy it. I’m posting on Thanksgiving (While Corey watches The Silence of the Lambs) and drinks tea…I’d like to wish a happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate the holiday, and wish a happy week to everyone, and as always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting.
Comments (27)
NefariousDrO
This is very intriguing, you can easily imagine all kinds of stories about this picture. She seems tense, yet is trying to relax? The light makes a disquieting mood, as if something dreadful lurks in the background for the moment of maximum tension. If you listen, the music is soft, but in a minor key and slowly building off-tempo discords that clash, but add to the sense that something bad is coming, no matter what we little humans do... Yes, this is indeed a fascinating picture that sets my imagination running!
RodS
Love the light in this - it has quite a relaxing quality to it. I like it!
kgb224
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family as well as Corey and his family. May you have a wonderful time together my friend.Stunning capture my friend.
anianiani
Great
auntietk
I like the light, the random buildings outside the window, the "you are here" sense of immediacy your pov gives this shot. I like her isolation, and I like knowing if she opened her eyes she would see an attractively intelligent, tall, thin black man reading a thick sci-fi paperback book. I like the way she sits so easily, sideways in her seat, at home in her environment. I like her comfy outfit, which she probably wears often because it suits her. This is just an all-around excellent image. Nicely seen and well shot!
Crabbycabby
Great work.
costapanos
I've always wanted to this while riding our Metro here in the city, but never have found that opportune moment as you have here. Wonderful lighting and the angle is superb.
bmac62
Nice shooting Chip. She has the look of a person able to look out for herself...but by sitting side saddle, she looks ready to defend herself if necessary...the old don't turn your back to the door idea. It has been years since I rode a subway/El and thank goodness, the seats look a lot more comfortable then they used to!
prutzworks
cool candid shot
lick.a.witch
To me she looks so very tired and work torn. What a wonderfully candid image, and yet I feel by looking at it I am intruding on her. Did you see Rent? There is a scene in it where the friends come across a lady who is homeless being moved on by police. For some reason, this reminds me of that scene and I don't really know why.... Fantastic capture Chip. ^=^ Warm regards to Corey. Keep your chin up chap! ^=^
durleybeachbum
SO good!! This scene, familiar and yet not, because of the buildings so very different from here, carries with it the seeds of so many stories. I want to know about her, why she is tired, what she has left and where she goes. EXCELLENT!
helanker
A very beautiful light in this shot and the lady looks really exhausted. Such a fine shot, Chip.
GiMi53
Excellent candid shot (and thanks for the "story"... always nice to read you !) :~)
flavia49
wonderful image and POV
makron
Wonderful image. Very well done
MagikUnicorn
LIFE LIVE FROM CHIPKA ;-) Not much people in the bus ? And how much passenger have to paid ? In Montreal 3$ each passage...it was 10 cents when I was 10 years old (1970) ____
Orinoor
Excellent shot on so many levels.
MrsRatbag
Really excellent capture; the light is marvelous! The zen of the bus ride...
LovelyPoetess
The subject, lighting, background outside and askew pov all make this for a compelling image. Very well done! : )
sandra46
AMAZING, GORGEOUS IMAGE! GREAT MOOD
marybelgium
excellent !
jac204
Very nice.
beachzz
When I'm on any kind of public transit, be in a bus or a plane or train, all I can do is stare out the window at what's out there. Train especially are good for this because they go where cars don't go and you see things differently. And then of course, as you point out here, there are the people. A whole show unto themselves, doing whatever it is they do while getting from point A to B. You caught this perfectly here and I like it very much!!
praep
You always capture the scene well my friend. I almost feel the loneliness and tedium in this train.
nikolais
she's so deep in her thoughts... great light and matching tilt, Chip!
ges
Excellent and creative work. Impressing Gallery.
myrrhluz
It always helps to carry a book. I have read "Dune" at doctor and dentist appointments, at a bank, at two auction houses, and at car dealerships. Once at one of the auctions, I was deep in the Freemen territory when from a long distance away, I heard a voice, "Autoplex, EXCUSE ME, Autoplex. Your title is ready." I hoisted myself out of the plush chair, put Arrakis back in my purse and headed out for the next stop. I buy purses based on their book carrying capacity. Wonderful POV, lighting, and composition. I like the angle and the way the lines direct the eyes to her. Great shape and color of the buildings outside and haze effect of the glass. The lady looks like she is very forcibly closing herself off from all around her. Its like little robots that you set off a switch and they pull all knobs and doohickies inside and close up tight. Excellent image!