A photo with no name

[Ruben Alfu]

Thanks for your opinion!

Ruben Alfu : untitled

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[Asher Kelman]

Thanks for your opinion!

Ruben Alfu : untitled

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Ruben,

This is a tough great picture. tough because there's such a lot included with an even lighting. "Great" because I imagine it reworked with the differences between indoors and the outside crafted well.

Think about those great openings outside allowing in the light. Think about the shadows on the strong floor.

Asher

 

[John Angulat]

Thanks for your opinion!

Ruben Alfu : untitled​

Ruben, I absolutley love this image!
There is, to me a hint of surrealism although I'll leave that analysis to Ken!
Fine image!
Where was it taken and when? Tell us some more about this intriguing place.

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Asher, John, thanks a lot for your comments and suggestions.

This photo was taken in Panama City's old quarter. Actually I don't know what's this place, it's always closed but you can see inside from the sidewalk. What called my attention the most was that nonsense combination and distribution of all these objects. Of course, the colors, textures and that sort of urban decay look were all very attractive. It was an overcast day and the room was being illuminated by a soft cross-lighting, you can see the other source, a large gated door, on the mirror and the monitor. Still, there's something that I find unsettling in this image but can't point my finger on it.

Asher, I'll think about your suggestions, then I'll post any interesting finding...

 

[Robert Watcher]

It's strange because there is a lot going on in the shot - - - and yet it has a very stylized look to it almost as if it were set up. The composition is right with the vertical post being perfectly off center as well dynamic triangular positions of the elements. It is appealing to me.

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this Robert.

 

[doug anderson]

Thanks for your opinion!

Ruben Alfu : untitled

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I like this just as it is, but I wonder what it would be like to come back later/earlier in the day for the shadows?

What I like about it most is its mixture of cultural elements, it's ancient quality and the electric fan, etc.

 

[fahim mohammed]

A superb composition and capture.

Why do I love seeing this photo? I do not know. I just get a pleasure looking at it. For me that is all
that matters.

Excellent capture.

p.s I thought I had replied to this lovely post previously, but then again...

Regards.

 

[John Angulat]

Fahim, I agree! There's a certain "something" to this image that catches my eye and holds my attention.
In some ways it doesn't look "real"...almost as if its been meticulously hand drawn.
It is one my favorites, no doubt.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Fahim, I agree! There's a certain "something" to this image that catches my eye and holds my attention.
In some ways it doesn't look "real"...almost as if its been meticulously hand drawn.

..or arranged just for the photograph. But, as you point out, despite that, we accept it. It's something we're used to dong with models and actors and a wedding part all the time.

There's also something of an experience of "permitted voyeurism", observing intimate scenes, here, perhaps a good portion everything owned of importance, in someones private space. But there's still such a lot of ambiguity to the space itself. Is it really private? Where are the doors? Is this leading to an inner private courtyard or a public place?

Asher

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Doug, Fahim, John and Asher, I'm flattered by your positive reactions. Thanks very much for sharing your points of view and insights, I appreciate a lot the time that you take to do this, which in turn deepens my understanding of my own work.

Asher, this is an uninhabited small building, my best guess is that it is waiting to be sold and transformed into luxury condos, that's what's happening in this area of the city. I took this photo standing on the walkside looking inside through a gate, wich is the main entrance (I had to introduce the camera lens inside an oppening in the gate), you can see my reflection on the
monitor, the gates are clearly visible on the mirror. The two doors in the back lead to what looks to me like a "solar", that is, an internal patio.

P.D. I have to apologize for my late reply, I've been away from the forum (and many other things) "against my will" , I hope to be back soon.

Cheers!

 

[Asher Kelman]

So glad for you to be back, Ruben!

This picture has made a strong impression and it's for some reason gorwing on me and won't let me go!

Why it has this grip, I don't know! Could be that it has a sense of vulnerability with possessions open to being stolen or else someone who might be moving out or that someone perhaps passed away and it's the end of an era.

Asher