Ukiyo-e With a Camera

Nice moody composition with good technical quality of the photograph, Jack! Compliments! PDE

Eye catcher, the red objects draws my eyes to this composition, well done.

Jack, because the title totally stumped me, I had to investigate the meaning of "Ukiyo-e." What I found: "pictures of a floating world." Notwithstanding the scene the image captures, it clearly is abstract. The red and black objects are floating on a sea of concrete. Coupled with the fact that where the street leads is a complete mystery, I was forced to quote from Zeno of Elea: "What is, is. What is not, is not." Although Zeno was Greek, he must also have been well versed in Zen. Another favorite. - - (By the way, I appreciate the thoughtful elucidation you provided at my suggestion.)

Pierre, George, Michael - thanks for the comments. Ukiyo-e was discovered in the west by the Impressionists in the 1880's. It was not really considered a serious art form in Meiji-era Japan and was often used for kabuki advertisements and popular prints. It was kind of the peoples art of its day. In fact it was used it to wrap Japanese porcelain that was being shipped to Europe where it was in vogue. The Impressionist artists got their hands on some of these "throw-away" prints and were mightily impressed by the line, color, compositions and sense of flatness which was then being popularized in Europe by the Impressionist movement. Van Gogh often incorporated ukiyo-e prints in the backgrounds of his paintings and even copied them in his own fashion. There's no doubt that this popular Japanese art form influenced the Impressionists.

I was just scrolling down the page and quicky browsing before retiring for the night when unmistakeably I briefly glimpsed at your image and without a speck of a doubt, I saw J.M. written all over this magnificent example of your very personal photography. Your images have that indescribable​ "something" that is so hard to define, but so easy to like and enjoy. There is a hidden balance: as if a complicated equation on a blackboard filled with several hundreds of others suddenly shows one or two variables that stand out shouting at you. However here, I can see the two variables, but if I blink, I see a different one every time. I can only bow in respect and admiration. Onegaishimas. DG

Someone was very hungry :-) Regards, Mariusz

This is eye candy. Wonderful lines, shadows, and geometric positions.