Twilight II

Carlos, The image alone is arresting. The quotation from Blake resonates with the photograph; each informs the other. I saw earlier efforts of yours that combined text with images, and I was uncertain what to think, and had reservations about the use of another artist's material, but here it works, perhaps because of the brevity of the quote, the appropriateness of text and image together, and because the text is in the public domain. (Or at least I presume it is so.) This is a powerful combination!

Dan

agree with Dan. very good composition. compliments -koushik

This combination is too strong and... rather painful for me to watch.

I see things that are -probably- absent in the photo...

I see others...

I see ... me.

Your inclusion of the TV up above (which was rather easy to crop) adds more drama to the scene...

It is certain that I am not as strong a fellow as Mr. Blake was.

The line is so fragile between health and sickness, life and death, beauty and horror, hope and fear.

 

When those feelings lose their sense of good and bad and just seem to be raw emotion, beyond judgment or even assessment, the word I use is "awe."

There is something achingly sad, not about death itself, but in how we institutionalize those last silent days.

.

Jack says it perfectly. I know there are exceptions, but generally these institutions are so impersonal and dehumanizing. My father died at home under hospice care. And although his home was less than ideal, dirty and chaotic, it was his home.

it is a captivating photo Carlos and I sure can understand the reactions it provokes but I also think it's a matter of perspective. Yes, it is very sad that in so many cases there is a severe loss of decorum but on the other hand it's a price we have to pay for getting increasingly older due to ever improving health care. Also it's on wards like these that I got trained as a nurse and sad is it may be there is also another side to this. I'm really glad that you put Blake's quote next to it.

The older we get, the more intense we grapple with the finiteness of life...Deep going image and documentation. Thank you for sharing.

William Blake rocks this...elegantly chosen, but your photography stands so very well all by itself. Paired with Blake it is so much more poignant, excellent work and presentation. A real beauty...and a great choice of words.

I've spent quite some time in an intensive care unit recently - I was not the one taken care of - long hours beside a human being in coma.

I struggled with the idea of taking pictures of human suffering in a highly technological environment.

Will have to think about it further. I could not make out the view on the world of a human being whose body slowly - or quickly - fails to function.

a difficult subject and a respectful image...maybe it's the right distance to make me feel that but I get an impression of respect that contrasts with the intrusive nature of photography in this context...not easy to get an image like that with the right feel...

An impossible photo to comment on. It's sad and noble all at once. But mostly sad for me.

under the imperturbable eye of the screen. This is photography, this is my thank you to a man who knows poetry, both in visual and written form and had the courage to lift the veil and see what's behind. Giuseppe

a harrowing, visceral image, Carlos & a striking passage from Blake to accompany it.

Beautifully thought provoking moment and capture and presentation Carlos. 

It doesn't surprise me that Jacks words also capture me. I find the framing and scene makes me  ponder 'the setting'. I like the question your image and Blakes words ask of me Carlos. and Your processing is no small part of it.

A striking photograph, to be sure, of a subject most of us shy away from.  It's one of those photographs that we like, yet at the same time, we don't like it.  We like it for its technical aspects and documentary feel, but we dislike it because it forces us to see the end result of our lives.  Most of us fear what waits beyond the photograph.

The height of the image emphasizes the smallness (or the feeling of smallness) we all will probably experience as we age.  The human element here is in stark contrast to the sterile looking surroundings...surroundings that we do not experience in our homes and daily life.  All the whiteness, the chrome, the steel, and the television have no feelings...the human does.

Being something of a student of Blake, myself, I find the quote highly appropriate and effective.

This photograph could only work in black and white.

 

He is so small and frail, forgotten, alone, and it hurts me. Your choice to include Blake's work is brilliant. William Blake is one of my favorite poets and artists. Beautifully done yet sad portrait not only of the elderly man, but of society. Thank you for sharing. :)

Quite the photo!  I see the walker - perhaps he is just sleeping.  I fall asleep with my mouth open sometimes.   But he is probably not in the best shape.

I appreciate your taking this photo and posting it.  It is apart of life we must all come to terms with - whether in our own lives or a loved one.

Since 2010 and I have failed to see this and the words you chose to accompany it?  Shame on me.  Powerful.  "I am Stronger as this foolish Body decays..."  Indeed.