Hands by Chipka
Close
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
In a sense, this photo is an accident: it’s a detail of a larger capture—one of the many sneak-factor shots available (for free) on Chicago’s venerable, rusty, and crumbling el/subway system. I’d intended to immortalize an entire scene with this image, and I found that a severe crop heightened the one thing that drew me to the photograph in the first place. The sunlight. I should probably be tired of sunlight right about now: it triggers cluster headaches (when coupled with heat) and Chicago is in the midst of a drought. Chicago—at the moment—is sweltering. The air is…moist in a rather disturbing way. But the light that goes with the heat is in a playful mood.
I took this photograph on the way to Corey’s place. I was on my way from work. Sunday is a normal workday for me. Functionally, it’s similar to Friday, as Mondays and Tuesdays constitute my weekend. And so, on this Fridayish-Sunday, on my way to Corey’s I felt the promise of the impending weekend. I snapped this photo, almost without thinking about it, simply because of the sunlight. I was drawn to the tattoos on the arms (and calves and neck) of the young man in question. It would seem that tattoos have endured something of a phase shift. Since being back in the USA, I’ve noticed that people are wearing tattoos below conservative shirtlines and above necklines as well. Tattoos, it would seem, are now adamant in their refusal to be covered. In the past three months alone, I’ve seen non-gang-related finger tattoos, and the once-famous “tramp stamps” on über-suburbanite bubblegum girls. I saw cryptic tattoos competing with shadows and sunlight on an el-ride to Corey’s place. I was amazed: I like tattoos, especially when they look like mathematical equations in comic-book font. The guy in question was wearing comic-book-equation tattoos, but in retrospect, I think I was more interested in his hands, and the way the sun seemed to like them so much.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you are having a great week.
Comments (16)
Faemike55
Very cool capture of the hands in the light
KatesFriend
The sun seems like liquid fire in this shot. Portions lit over exposing as if the film (upon which it would have been developed 25 years ago) was burning up as we looked at it. Scenes like this seem to transmit the inescapable discomfort of such a muggy day. It is something to reflect upon that a generation ago, when the hypothetical film would be melting from the ravages of this sun, his hands would have been holding a newspaper or a book at most. Their motion more regular and sedate. Print would have depended upon light absorption rather than the light emission of his smart phone. Alas, random thoughts on a hot day. And we too in Toronto have been blasted by the same solar flood. The light seems to scorch everything it comes into contact. And yes the grass is brown and dry, dormant from lack of water - there has been no significant rain in over three weeks. But the weeds are still green and that's the important thing.
mbz2662
..and the sun highlights so much of what is seen these days..not only the tattoos, but the hands, holding a phone/ipod. Great shot Chip. :)
durleybeachbum
Most engaging image and musings
auntietk
I'm with you. The light and shadow on his skin is marvellous! And tattoos have become so commonplace (at least in people a generation or so younger than you and I!) that when I see them I no longer wonder how much the person had to drink or how much "time" they did. I once met a young woman who had a beautiful blue tattoo on her left ring finger. It was a tattoo of a ring, and it went from knuckle to knuckle. She wore her wedding rings over that tattoo, and it was a stunning combination. I've seen a lot of tattoos, but that remains my favorite.
blinkings
It's the tats that catch my eye.
whaleman
I like the shot Chip! Funny, just yesterday I photographed a most lovely and large tattoo on a very pretty young body. It will take a while but I should eventually be able to post a shot or two.
BessieB
I have had tattoos since the age of around 40 and am happy with them - I also had my nose pierced in 1979 and still wear a nose stud or ring until this day and am now in my 50's. Its me. I love to see people's personality in their body art, some in my humble opinion are rubbish but its not my body so why should I be concerned. I do love shots like this, we can only wonder what made this person have these done, wonderful lighting.
nikolais
photogrqphy is nothing but light and shade, however if you manage to add tones, it may look even better. love the image, Chip! wowen of light
flavia49
amazing light!! splendid image
MrsRatbag
Wonderful scene, although it makes me wonder how he can see anything on the screen in that bright sun.
Sea_Dog
Well done, Chip. To me this shot speaks of modern society - this person is totally in his own world even while traveling on the most public of means. Speaks to the self- and device-absorption that have become the new norm of our public life. Probably why I enjoy your candid Chicago shots so much - while so many Chicagans are focusing inward you seem to have the knack to look outward and capture little slices like this.
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
sandra46
excellent creation
brewgirlca
Without seeing the rest of the image I can sense you did a fine job of cropping in this. It leaves it to me to visualize the intent, lost look of the young mans face as he stares with total focus on the device at hand. Along with tatoos this intense lost look is becoming more common all over the world. I was bemused in New York to see so many people walking down the street, by themselves, engaged in animated conversation. A few scant years ago you would have thought it was another crazy lost in his own world, but now it is ..... what? Still a crazy lost in his own world but this time connected by an electronic thread to another crazy, somewhere else lost in the world.
tommorules
Like this. Where does the wire start & end? Who is controlling who here? That's the question. 99% made in China, for sure, tat's notwithstanding...