You Are Crazy - Ikea

Good use of the ordinary to make something extra ordinary! I like this shot very much.

I was photographing the series of Ikea posters when this friendly

woman began asking me about my camera and telling me about a camera

that she once owned. I asked her if I could take her picture, and to

my surprise she gladly allowed me to shoot 4 or 5 frames.

Wonderful juxtaposition of an advertisement and a face with emotion written all over it.

It's like the seemingly trite advertising copy has penetrated her very being and produced some profound sorrow inside of her.

Other people will probably tar and feather me, but I can't help but find this photo *political*. A trenchant comment on our economic system and way of life.

Recent discussion in Leica forum on "Photography and Politics"

i think it's great compositionally. the aggressiveness of the background, visually, is unique; i like the tension it creates. there's an interesting trick this shot plays on the viewer, which is that we make a connection between the woman's state of mind, guarded, perhaps distrustful, appearance, and the "message" in the background. i think that interplay is really successful. it reminds me a little of that depression era photograph of the bread line, or unemployment line and the billboard in the background (by walker evans, i think).

I was laughing when I saw the thumbnail, but after seeing the larger image, I'd have to agree that there's a much more serious side to this image. Perhaps it's our society that's crazy, when ikea preserves our sanity! Her anger and dispair are powerful. Because she seems unhappy, not insane, I'm left to understand that the message is directed at us, the viewers! This is a very evocative image. Regards, Jud

OK that is good. (clever) Was it possed or found?

A little bit of both. I was already photographing the sign that I found when she happened by and started talking with me. After agreeing to allow me to take her picture I asked her to stand in front of the sign as a backdrop. Just to the right and left of the Ikea sign was pretty dismal but purposefully juxtaposing the two was a bit of a set up on my part, maybe pushing the limits of street photography to be truly honest.

Cool shot Erik -- the background is tad messy and that Ikea icon on the right makes me howl but that ain't your fault. I am just allergic to them after my last trip there. Expression on her face with the 'you are crazy' lettering is just priceless. Was she aware what was behind her?

No, I don't think she really cared one way or another what was behind her.

Maybe i AM the crazy one!