may - on the road to somewhere else Platform Melodrama

Sannomiya Station, Kobe

Jack,

An image that brings words and thoughts to mind. Theater, performance and coulis. What is happening behind the scenes and what is cumming up next. It is a real ingenious created image, it is clever. Oh I wished I could be there and wait to see what is happening next. How the scene and the story told is going to change and evolve.

Compliments, Herman

A unique, inspired conception, layered stages reveal their secrets as the photographer walks right through them.
Into my faves, thanks Jack.

On previous occasions, Jack, I've commented on your use of various techniques to give a viewer an impression of bifurcated reality - reality divided up in sections which weren't necessarily the same in shape or size.  Here, reality is presented as an onion.  As a viewer peels off the outer layer of reality, another layer makes itself knowable, and so on and so forth, until the innermost layer is revealed.  At that point, the viewer has either found the answer to many age-old questions or has discovered nothing at all.  Each of these options is equally as attractive to me.  

 

I've also commented on a fairly recent image about your use of ambient elements to frame the subject(s).  You've done quite well on this score here. It's most interesting that the frames get smaller from foreground to background.  One even can get a hint of what lies outside the train's window.

 

Definitely a favorite . . .

Thanks a lot for the comments on this picture. I was initially surprised that it got so little response, though I should know better by now. It's such a geometrically layered photo that I'm sure that some people think it was a cut and paste job but that's the way I snapped it, just with some adjustment of tones and conversion to b&w. The flanking panels on either side show reflections of the people on the platform. I love dimensionality in a photo, action on different planes, and I think this one expresses that pretty well in a cinematic way. Sometimes when you post a picture that you think is pretty good and it gets no response, you start to question your own judgement. It's fortunate to have friends who can appreciate your work, even if they may not necessarily share your particular style or view of the world. Once again, arigato.

I must admit I'm very surprised this hasn't attracted a lot more attention too!  

It's like a stage within a stage within a stage, with some actors on the sidelines as silhouettes and the main protagonist featured centre stage. A thought provoking fine capture indeed, perfectly timed and deserving much more than just a glance! .

Sincere Compliments! 

 

Alf 

Jack,

You have already received some great reviews who have done a good job in describing this exquisite photo. I will just say that I think it is the portrait of a metropolis, with all it's complexities and layers of character. It shows the self focus and fast life of a typical urban dweller, framed by usual advertisements with happy faces. Beyond that, there is the dark underground, strewn with mysterious figures and their unknown motives. When we look at the hustle-bustle of a busy city in broad daylight, we see the walking travelers and the advertisements, but we don't usually see what lies underneath, the ugly underbelly of the metropolis.

Thanks for the support and your extended comments which I found thoughtful and interesting. Judging from the number of pictures uploaded, at least from the photographers I follow (and that's quite a number) it looks like a lot of members are on hiatus or are between cameras or have tragically run afoul of some evil bewitchment and fallen deep asleep. Comments seem down across the board so I should be grateful to get as many as I do. I do wish that things were a little more lively here though, I'm ready to snooze off myself.

This is an exceptional image Jack. Your processing and presentation were an excellent choice for the content of this image. The conversation back and forth has been extremely interesting to read and educational for me as well.  I often 'see' what I like in an image but I do not have the 'knowledge' about Photography or even 'composition' to the extent that I can comment with such finesse.  I have not studied great Photographers over the years but I often learn many tidbits when I visit your images. I find that you are a wealth of information and you have a unique 'eye' on the world and it's inhabitants.  Please don't get too bored.  I have been online looking at other sites and even discovering more all the time.  I have been trying to find intelligent conversation between photographers on many of the sites but it still remains difficult to find even that - so far I have not found what I find when I visit your images.  That may not help at all - but for me it says a lot.

Grateful always for what you share, Gail

Thanks for stopping by. Glad to see you're active on pn again. I don't mean to come off as frustrated and dispirited though sometimes those darker colors show through, I'm afraid. It's just that I remember earlier days on this site where it seemed more a community of creative souls sharing both their work and opinions freely. I looked forward to visiting each day, like going to a cafe where all the characters, artists and would-be artists gathered to exchange views, knock heads and laugh together. All that was missing was the wine. Alas, halcyon days fade into present reality, family obligations, work imperatives, invisibility and general burn out. People come and go - mostly go - and sometimes it gets to me.

Wow!  The layers, the furtive figures in the shadows, the man hastily getting along before. . . I really don't know, but something is up.

 

More drama, Jack.  Love it!

 

--Lannie

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