Street Scene, Bangkok

There is nothing 'particularly important' about this 'midday street scene'

taken in Bangkok, Thailand, and possibly not even a particular subject --

its entire 'worth' -- if there is any -- lies in the momentary confluence of

the elements of the car, left, the street cleaner, center, and the passing

bus, right, and their relative placements in relationship to each other and

the frame. I'm interested in how you feel about this particular photo,

which has bedeviled me for some time. Your ratings and critiques are

invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly or very critically, please

submit a helpful and constructive comment; please share your superior

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography. Thanks!

Enjoy! John

This 'quirky' photo has stuck with me for a very long time -- and I never properly could analyze it - none of its elements appears 'important'. and I never could properly find a way to say why it 'appealed' to me -- that appeal was not really strong, but too strong just to ignore and put away this photo.

 

One reason I have just discovered on review is that the vehicle, left, has a vertical rear end, while the bus has a vertical front end.

 

Those then are parallel lines.

 

At the same time, and in between those parallel lines is the diagonal line of the street sweeper's crude broom and that diagonal broom handle somehow 'connects' those two parallel lines.

 

There are also three main elements in this photo, and scattered in a somewhat pleasing manner -- while at the same time this composition is completely evanescent.

 

The bus was traveling 'at speed', the sweeper was sweeping in mid-sweep and the van, distant left, also was driving along, yet somehow for the briefest instant, they formed a 'composition'.

 

I guess that is why this 'quirky' photo is posted here.

 

John (Crosley)

The lines and "placements" do not "bedeviled" me at all but the broom and basket are pretty interesting. Seems to me that these public workers have to supply their own brooms. Nice if the DOF could be greater.

John, what strikes my eye immediately are two elements. You have managed to shoot at the moment where the elements are separated. Without this the scene would not function. But what makes the photo is a small very human aspect symbolizing daily toil. The street sweeper has protected her left leg from the constant weight of the basket by a white cloth. This is a very small element, I agree but it speaks and communicates to the viewer. The rest is decor. I like it.

I am not sure at this late time just how much 'luck' played into the separation that you note, but probably I was totally aware of trying to catch 'the moment' no matter how modest, for that is and always has been my way of doing things.

 

You have incredible observational powers -- I only now have seen that small cloth and noted its significance. When I read your post I said to myself 'If it had been there, I would have noticed it . . . .. ' but of course, I did not. Kudos to you and your powers of observation.

 

John (Crosley)