SHACKLED, LONELY, BEATEN

I know the feeling!

One thing I know you're definitely not is shackled.

Okay, how about "Unhinged?" lol Thanks for the look.

I merely said shackled. Everything else in post-9/11 political parlance is "on the table".

Uh...yes...unhinged!

 

looks like shackled in traffic...!? I don't miss that...fun!

Juan

I more or less know about this organization and their activities. They are against fur, leather meat, dairy, lab experiments, and a host of other issues. They probably love V-8.

 

I have looked at this for awhile, at the larger size, and I cannot make out the graphic. I can see a chain around something? and a brick wall. The something looks to have a butt crack at the bottom but I'm sure I am reading that wrong. It doesn't look like cheese and its not a belt, I don't see any fur or a knife and fork........ maybe its a lab tech into S&M. Please illuminate me if you can. I'm still working on my first cup of coffee for the day but still, it should look like something.

 

The blackness of the road and the grey sky give this a lot of atmosphere.

Actually, I was driving along at about 80 miles an hour when I snapped this.

That is kind of scary that you are not seeing what is on the truck. I'm uploading an earlier version for you that is not as overwrought and perhaps will not only be clearer to you, but more to your taste. In no case will it be purdy.

I came to this one several times... the dark road and the"decorated" vehicle, closed with a chain. and the title.... it looks good as a composition but I need an explanation what does it mean, what is the title, it looks an inside Americana..., and I'm sure there is a good explanation behind it.... Help....!! ;-))

The less processed version ( along with another cup of coffee) made this clear. The butt crack turns out to be a set of toe nails. I wouldn't worry about the image being unclear. The lack of clarity is no doubt coming from my vacant head. My totally out to lunch interpretation should however be worrying me.... oddly it isn't :-)

Hell, I was envying you. I couldn't for the life of me get butt crack out of that pic, but you somehow transcended my limited vision for a far better one. I've stared at this for minutes on end and the only butt crack I'm aware of anywhere near this image, is mine sitting in the driver's seat! Well, I'm off to get another cup of coffee. Maybe after that I'll see butt crack. :)

You may be at a bit of a disadvantage since you are not an American. Or, I might have failed to produce an image that has meaning. Note on the bottom right of the van the logo stating "PETA.ORG." Peta is an animal rights organization that is against the unnecessary killing or use of animals and their mistreatment of any kind. They are known for being rather militant and very outspoken. The van depicts an elephant foot that is chained. Thus the words on the van and the title are, "Shackled, lonely, beaten." In this case I believe they are specifically addressing the use and alleged abuse of elephants in particular and all animals in general on the part of Ringling Brothers Circus. I've deliberately given it a rather heavy handed treatment process, because I think it fits the subject and kind of mimics PETA's approach. Hope that makes it a bit clearer. Cheers, my dear.

Do you think that shooting pics will soon be added to the "not to do" list while driving? Hey, I'm guilty of it as well, but not at 80 mph. ;)

 

Interesting and unusual pic. It's not often that you encounter something like this. This to me looks like the foot of an elephant, perhaps a baby one.

You win the prize (well, more like the non existent prize). It is indeed the shackled foot of an elephant. As far as the shooting, it's much easier with a point and shoot than with a DSLR. I did it on a freeway in Las Vegas once, and got so disoriented spatially that I almost slammed on my breaks because I thought I was going to hit the vehicle I was shooting. With the point and shoot, that is not so much an issue because you still have so much field of vision all around the camera resting on the dash. Thanks for the view amigo. Take care.

Something about the perspective from the auto and the message on the back (forget that it is a PETA ad for a second) are really kind of tongue in cheek funny. Cheers, Jay

A great find and a very fine shot, amigo. "See" you again soon. Warm regards...

Thanks for the explanation! it was necessary for me to understand what the photo is depicting.( I saw the elephant foot but did not know about Peta) interesting is the fact, that I have just finished to read a book that is called "Water for Elephants" written by Sarah Gruen, first published in the USA, and is about the life of people and animals in a circus. all the photos in the book are from the Ringling bothers circus,!! and the autor research was done using materials connected to that circus. Animals are really suffering there( as well as people in the book),! very autentic photo David, as usual I knew it has a meaning!

A while back, there were a string of stories about seemingly tame elephants going wild and suddenly turning on their handlers and the patrons who had paid for a ride. Payback is a bitch, as they say. I like your handling of the picture. Darkening it makes it makes for a more somber statement. If you are indeed happily snapping away at 80 mph, I hope you have a "God Is My Co-Pilot" sticker on your car. I have been known, on occasion, to shoot pictures while in traffic. They never turn out as good as this, so they'll never be posted. Of course, I never get to shoot pictures while driving if my wife is in the car with me. I always tell her that when God is my co-pilot, He keeps his opinions to Himself. I laugh. She stares. Silence....

Thanks. Hope your travels are fruitful and enjoyable. I'll miss you, but I guess I'll still have your photos to view.

I don't think I care to take sides on PETA, but I do think they have a valid point and that man is not always much of a steward of the planet's animals or plants. People seem to think the natural world exists for their entertainment. In the process of deriving that entertainment, they are often cruel and destructive. Personally I believe that any person that would chain a dog up in a yard should be chained up in a similar fashion for a day or so for a bit of sensitivity training. My granddaughter and I enjoy the zoo quite a bit, and it lets me teach her a little about the animal world, but a visit to the zoo always makes me a bit uneasy as I sympathize with those poor beasts who are so far removed from their natural habitat. Of course I know their natural habitat may include a bit of nastiness too.

 

That sounds like an interesting book. I've got about ten on the line right now, and spend too damn much time chasing things with a camera and then talking to all my friends on Pnet to get many books read. Currently working my way through several, amongst which is Dawkins' "The God Delusion." I think you might like that one. Take care.

I have found that using a point and shoot while driving is pretty easy, but getting decent results is not a given. I may take them, but I don't replay and blow them up to examine the detail. (hmmm, wonder if I can do that.... :) ) Not having to look through the viewfinder helps to keep a pretty good eye on what's going on. Thanks for the view.

Nice capture, David!

Thanks, we have a Peta like , here too, it is called " Sadness of animals". I think they are doing a very good work.I hate when animals are tortured. I don't go to the circus because of that. I take my grandchildren to the "safary", well it is not a real one but at least the animals are free and we are traveling in closed windows cars( we are the caged....;-)), The book I wrote you about isabout an old man telling his memories of life in the circus.

 

I wrote down your book advice and look for it... the title promises to be an interesting one.....;-))

Thanks. I'm most appreciative.

I dare say we are kindred spirits.