Human by Chipka
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Description
On the night that I saw ghosts and glass and reflections on coffee-house windows, I saw more substantial things as well—dogs with one rear leg hiked as they sprayed canine narratives on the legs of park benches, rubbish bins, and newspaper dispenser boxes. I saw (and heard) shiny automotive contrivances in every non-color of charcoal, buffed metal, or smoke. Very few of them were red. Fewer still bore other colors beyond the smoky-charcoal-silvery range. I saw humans, as well; in particular I saw one human, all but oblivious to me. There might be ghosts involved with this shot: digital daemons busy spewing LOLs and ROTFLMAOs at one another, implying something I was not privy to. The human focus of this shot might be little more than a fragment of something else. My unwitting model is obviously engaged in complex interactions with other human beings, elsewhere...in the datasphere. I wonder, then, just how incomplete this image might be? To whom is he conversing? Where are they standing (or sitting)? and how many of them are there?
There are times when a photographer seeks nothing more than the capture of a moment; the ephemeral nature of events in space/time is the only draw. Some moments are deceptive. I was interested in capturing a moment, a human, a collection of surfaces at play in light and shadow. Those surfaces—in the shape of a lanky, male human being—are no longer there, but given the nature of his engagement as I saw him, I wonder just how much of the full being I actually captured. At any rate, he's moved on. Somewhere else. Quite possibly, far away. No one seeks proof that a particular moment existed or that most of a human being stood on the corner of Broadway and Melrose, and yet, proof exists.
There was stillness: for a moment. There was communication—digital and driven by waves of EM radiation bouncing from satellites. Perhaps those waves of EM radiation were as much of the human that I photographed as the flesh and bone and clothing that I saw. There was a complex, and complicated stranger I’ll never see again; even if I do I’m not likely to recognize him, despite this record of his countenance. It doesn’t matter; it’s the moment that I wanted, the ephemeral thing, and so here it is, with many of its inherent questions intact.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I’m glad this is Friday! Hopefully you’re all on the verge of a nice, warm, dry weekend: in short, a weekend far better than the week Chicago has offered (at least in a flood-prone meteorological sense.)
Comments (23)
blinkings
I nice bit of MP3 'chimping'!
flavia49
fabulous prose and image!
Ilona-Krijgsman
You made a perfect capture of a moment.....such a wonderful expression....I love your words......wonderful written
Feliciti
well seen and many true words ,have a nice weekend to you too ...here it's raining again
mgtcs
Another great shot and magnificent writing chip, loved it!
billcody
Wonderful portrait of our time!
prutzworks
cool canid
beachzz
You have noticed that about 99% of the vehicles on the road are some shade of gray. Mind IS red, and I never, ever lose it in a parking lot!! I will never, ever own a car that is any shade of gray---or silver, or smoke, or whatever esoteric name they give gray to make it sound more appealing. Anyway, this young man is lost in his cyber world, oblivious to whatever is going on around him. Probably not too smart sometimes, but every bit a part of life in the city--well, everywhere now, I guess!! You always capture such great city scenes!!
RodS
For some reason, I envision this young man listening to an MP3.... Quite possibly "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress.." If you allow the leading lines of the fence to direct your eye, you'll see what I mean... Superb capture of the moment Chip - in both the photo and the words.
bobrgallegos
This Young man is quite possibly texting as his thumbs are in a texting position. these Younger people no longer talk to each other , they text. I always tease My grandchildren that thirty minutes after they fall asleep their thumbs stop moving. Very well done Chip!!
Crabbycabby
Excellent capture of human interaction in the 21st century.
durleybeachbum
Outstanding, Chip, both image and narrative.
auntietk
We have two cars ... one is midnight blue, the other is such a non-descript color we've had to make one up for it: Gunmetal Taupe. I like your subject's easy pose, the fact that he is so apparently comfortable in his surroundings. I have no clue as to the device in his hands, but I love your thought process. What IS missing from this image? Fascinating.
whaleman
There is the distinct possibility that he wasn't really there, but rather, an image holographed onto that slice of corner life. Perhaps he is about to be turned into a real person by that girl approaching, carrying what appears to be a red bag curiously the same color as that unexplained object to his left. Is he her creation just deposited by that 'thing' and waiting for her to pick him up and tell him what he is there to do? So many mysteries, so little time... Well, my Friday had me 50 miles out of the city to photograph a young girl, Mandy McMillan, performing her country music, but it was rained out. Then I realized the town had planned a fireworks display for 11 pm that night, so I hung around town for four more hours, the rain ended and I got some fantastic shots of a great fireworks show, so all is well again.
sandra46
SPLENDID COMPOSITION
helanker
Wonderful shot of your city and a young guy. I like this very much.
kgb224
Outstanding photography my friend.
Bothellite
Youth!! There, that said... I agree that the prose is toxic - it's so darn good. And for a person with pretty serious ADHD that's saying something. You glued me.
KatesFriend
Hmmm. Looks like he is selecting the music he will be listening to when he obliviously walks into you. This will be accompanied with a snide look for your intrusion upon his personal privacy bubble. You really should look where you are going after all. Or he could be preparing to carelessly walk into vehicle traffic. Thus proving yet again Darwin's hypothesis concerning natural selection. And another point against those creationists and intelligent design type - BONUS. The things some people will do for the good of science.
jac204
Your choice of humans is always interesting. For whatever reason I'm afraid myself to take pictures of humans I don't know. Interesting how the fence seems to lead from him to the woman in black off in the distance. Great capture and prose.
MagikUnicorn
Sweet idea!
MrsRatbag
That posture is becoming more and more common; seems like everyone walks around humped over their phones, more interested in that "datasphere" than the real world around them...I guess I'm getting old, it bothers me a bit. Your ruminations, though, are fascinating as always!
tennesseecowgirl
Like most teenagers not a care in the world.. well as long as that ipod or cell phone is charged up. great shot.