Captivated by King's Words by Egmont
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Description
With today's post, I would like to ask a question. Take a look at the image and ask, what does it say, what does it reveal.
When we take photographs, we mostly forget all essential questions, losing purpose and meaning associated with an image or photography itself, it is also the viewer who has been inundated with a flood of images and has been desensitized. The fault with photography itself is that 'the camera records in order to forget' ('About Looking', John Berger), so our memory may forget.
Let us return to the image. We see a person sitting and reading. But look further, what is he reading, is he at the beginning of the book or its end? If it is the ending of the book, does he want to know the writers conclusion or has he been sitting there and reading the entire book?
So when you look at other posts, stop and take a few moments to study the work and see what it reveals and what emotions it may evoke. Likewise I will ask photographers when taking pictures other than snapshots, to ask what purpose or meaning we are trying to achieve. In doing so, you may discover that you just might adjust your 'point of view', alter your 'perspective' and capture something that may have otherwise been over looked. I end with this one statement, never stop questioning yourself.
There is one more image in this ongoing series entitled 'Voyeurism', it will be posted next Saturday. In March I begin a series of colour images regarding 'messages posted, lost and forgotten', challenging our senses and perception of what one can see every day but not take a second glance at. Also yesterday I discovered a concrete wall under a very unstable structure where I expect the roof to cave in at any moment, but I cannot wait to post these abstracts.
I thank you all for reviews, commentaries and voting on my images as I am also overwhelmed by the wonderful discussion 'Yes' He Asks Without Speaking a Word has generated. For those who may have missed the first image 'Yes' He Asks Without Speaking a Word in this series.
Thank you for stopping by.
Vielen dank das Sie vorbei gekommen sind.
Grazie.
Technical Information:
CAMERA: Sony DSC-V1, Aperature priority setting to f-8, ISO100, tripod
LIGHT: fluorescent, indoors
PHOTOSHOP NOTES: An adjustment in 'Levels'. The image was then converted within 'Channel Mixer' for optimum control. Final adjustments were made in 'Brightness/Contrast'. There was no retouching or any 'Artistic' filters applied.
Comments (36)
ebsmooth
nicely done! that dude is just chillin like he was at home...very cool!!! excellent capture!!!
diomedes66
My impressions are that we have a dedicated reader here - he is intently reading his book, almost at the end, he is oblivious to his surroundings, and, he has another to start as soon as he is finished with the one he is reading! - Wonderful composition by the way :-) V P.S. Please don't make me think too hard, it's rather painful :-)
DELMUR
sorry! Icannot speak engish!not enough!IT'S WHY,I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO LOOK ONLY PHOTOS.....WITHOUT A WORD
Zacko
That is one picture that speaks a thousand words. Excellent capture!!!
DeviousMoose
Damn! (oops I said it again) If I had another arm I'd give you a 3 thumbs up for this! Not only for the photo- but for what you wrote there. Looking at the photo deeply & getting ready to type my impression- I could just copy & paste what diomedes said here. Makes you think that this may be his only escape from reality. But just wondering... isnt it a little obvious taking the photos with the tripod & all? if I tried something at the local Borders, no telling what those people would do with my tripod & camera! ;-)
soulofharmony
what make these is your own personal mark of movement.. the bluring of one feature. to me that gives real atmosphere. this girl is engrossed in the something very interesting .. love the slight rising of the brow..superb b.w image vote
Egmont
To answer you Ken, AKA:DeviousMoose, I have returned several time only to fail. The tripod when only extended a little less than half way is just resting next to me as I look at books. It sits there as just another piece of personnel belonging, like a briefcase. Today I am loading he camera and tripod into the shopping cart and see what I can capture as I do my grocery shopping. I am glad to see that what I have scribbled is provoking thoughts.
ifos
This image really makes me chuckle, the guy in the chair has really made himself comfortable, he has even come to the bookshop in his slippers. He appears to have an almost manic expression as he approaches the end of the book but I see he has another book beside him ready to get started on. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't got a few cans of beer and a pack of sandwiches stashed somewhere. An excellent and really interesting image.!!
Ladyhawk
WOw I love these shots they are amazeing , there's so much to it it's stunning, BRAVO!!!!(V)!!!!;0) @-}--
jimry
lovely in depth shot of reality...my hat off to you squire :)
logiloglu
wonderful people photography. there is so much character in b/w. excellent done,Egmont. v #:O)
SoulSearcherr
for some reason I feel sorry for him...he is lonely to me..no idea why..fabulous photography..smile
L8RDAZE
To me it seems like this guy has become a fixture in this place. He looks like he's very "at home" here...totally absorbed and escaping reality thru the book he is reading. Even the chair seems to conform to his body...like it was made just for him! This man is totally oblivious to his surroundings, yet WE are aware that time is moving by the action in the background.
kellendor
Like the image and what you had to say about it. It's a good exercise. Here's my 2 cents (most of which others have noted in their comments. First of all, this is HIS chair. It's HIS little spot in the bookstore and I don't think he's lonely or even unhappy. I think he's engrossed and can't wait to turn the page. Either the person behind him is moving very rapidly or he is moving very slowly (I think it's that he's moving slowly - indicating how intent he is in his drama). He has another book to read (or has he finished it already - not sure). The slippers are classic - this guy is really at home here and doesn't care what people think (in fact from looking at him, I'd say that it's not so much he doesn't care what they think - it's more like he doesn't think about them enough to even realize they might be thinking of him. The very fact that you posted his image on Renderosity and asked everyone to think about him would probably amaze him.) Last thought I have on this is the one that makes your image as profound and sublime as it is simple. The guy reading the Stephen King novel, looks like he could be a guy FROM a Stephen King novel (I've read a few in my days). It's almost as if a character from an SK novel has come to life, stumbled into a bookstore, and is reading the novel about his life intently so as to know the end of his own story. (Perhaps that's a bit metaphysical, but then again it's late and I'm running on Mt. Dew fumes.) Great work!
Egmont
I am floored with delight as to comments that have been posted so far. The different views and insights into this image and the character depicted. It reflects the diversity and power a simple image can have and what it teaches us by reading the words of those who have commented. Even I have had to look at this image differently after reading what has been so far posted above. Thank you.
bpmac
This series has been great! I did notice he was reading toward the end of the book when I first looked. kellendor makes a good point. I could see this guy pulling out a ax from behind that chair. (And I don't mean a guitar). As Jack Torrence would say: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...." V
vodia
that even old people like horror books... the feeling is the tipical calm in library... did he recogize making him a shot???? gorgeous photo...
addiek
The incidental nature of the other person's existence is the key... he gives us the clue it is a bookshop not a private home library, (which it seems to be due to the relaxed nature of the central participant in the drama... and oi! Egmont, what are you doing in my house?!)
TwoPynts
I write this without reading any of the other comments. I agree, the more you look at this image, the more it enhance and alters your perceptions about it. As a fan of S. King, I know how you can be drawn into his world and sit engrossed while the world buzzed along around you. I think you captured that extrememly well with the way he is settled into the chair, nearing the end of the story, and with that person browsing behind him seem to move in a totally different reality. Well done, thank you for challenging our perceptions! I'm looking forward to your coming photos. :)
cynlee
also a fan of King's work... & yours!! your writing is as deep & meaningful as your images :]
Lledeline
Wonderful capture. You are right in your comment, but here the time is our ennemy. Often, I don't have the time to stop to study the picture as you have not the time for mines. But for this one I stopped and it deserves it.
Egmont
Dear Christine AKA: Lledeline, Time is truly our enemy, there is so little of it.
ana-maria
Excellent capture. My english is not good enough to write a long comment. But I agree with Zacko, this picture speaks for itself. Greatings from germany and have a nice weekend.
andre75
Love the series. Wonder what those people would say if they knew they were shown here. How did they like being shot?
NataLibera70
un' altra fantastica foto , excellent !!!
tony_br22
ha ha ... bravo .. vote
AgentMai
Steven Kings novels have that same effect on me, once you start reading, its hard to book down! He seems totally captured by what he's reading, pity I cant read the title of the book...Must be "IT" best book ever! I love the blurring of the person in the background...I would never have thought to go to a library and take pictures. Well thought out photography, and I will take what you said into account when I'm both commenting and photographing. Excellent =)
Judithone
Hi Egmont, I can not begin to tell you the thousands of scenerios I see everyday such as this one. For the past 6 years I have been working within a bookstore environment so I have become very numb to the visual images of people reading their favourite novel etc. However, what I can say about the image is (I love the fabric pattern on the chair!!) With all due respect you did have a story to share with us, although my favourite is Sammy and Anthony because of the genuine expressed love leaping out at you. The real interest in your photo for me are the many books you have captured in the background. So many authors, so many perspectives, so many viewpoints, a shelf of wisdom thats what does it for me. I see way beyond the chair and your subject and I'm always open to receive and evaluate. Thanks for sharing.
Hedepo
Hall Egmont This guy feels at home, (but also the chair must have contributed to the attitute of this man), please take a seat ......... and feel at home. This is the little story which pops-up in me looking at your photo!! Very interesting words you have added to this posting and if I look a little bit more in detail, he has already a second book under his "wings" does he want to stay much longer .... You have given me (most likely others as well ) a lot to think about. Many thanks for sharring with us Egmont. Have a nice day!
kimariehere
LOVE LOVE LOVEEeeeeeeeee IT!!!!! OH WOW!!! he is soooo into it what a fantastic personality shot... VOTE ..ExxxxCEPTIONAL WORK .. yep you r GOOD