Women | Men

[Robert Watcher]

Just an interesting scene I came across this morning - interesting symmetry - - - but one could also read something into the water fountains as a hidden message or subtle statement (but I'm not going to go there), or that both sides are almost perfectly matched or that women come first. I suppose it is one of those scenes with a range of subtleties that can inflect different meanings to the image.


Rob

 

[Robert Watcher]

Just in case some were wondering why I don't have the lines coming straight down the frame, in such a symmetrical type photo? That's called "perfection" - - - something I'm not particularly always interested in.

Actually - I also took a couple of shots where I was standing right in the middle of the 2 lines that are close to each other, so that the lines come straight down the middle - - - and I found that viewpoint a little boring compared to this one that I chose to process. I like a bit of disunity with unity. A little asymmetrical with the symmetrical to make viewers think and like or not like. It sometimes adds to the subtle messages that can be taken from an image. Just personal choice.


So that you can see that my choice was deliberate - here is the "perfection" shot (although still not perfection even when perfectly aligned ) - uncropped to see a bit more of the overall scene:

​

Rob

 

[Bob Latham]

I find it bizarre that the builder took the trouble to hang one door on the left and the other on the right to maintain the symetry.

Bob

 

[Jerome Marot]

one could also read something into the water fountains as a hidden message or subtle statement

Or simply that the builders tried to accommodate the average difference in height between the sexes.

BTW: good idea to break the symmetry a little. Even if you had to side with the women to do so...

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

I understand not always wanting everything to be symmetrical and that is your choice, of course, but I think in this circumstance, personally, I would have loved to see the shot very symmetrical as that, to me, is the point of this shot isn't it? That it was built to be that way, as Bob Lathan says; even the doors are hung to mirror each other.

Showing it very symmetrical would really drive the point home and then we can really concentrate on the differences between both sides. Nothing wrong with your way of cropping it, but I think sometimes everyone seems to be trying so much not to have anything straight, not to ever be symmetrical, always to have something imperfect, that it feels unnatural and forced to make it so when the subject, to me, demands it.

 

[Robert Watcher]

I understand not always wanting everything to be symmetrical and that is your choice, of course, but I think in this circumstance, personally, I would have loved to see the shot very symmetrical as that, to me, is the point of this shot isn't it? That it was built to be that way, as Bob Lathan says; even the doors are hung to mirror each other.

Showing it very symmetrical would really drive the point home and then we can really concentrate on the differences between both sides. Nothing wrong with your way of cropping it, but I think sometimes everyone seems to be trying so much not to have anything straight, not to ever be symmetrical, always to have something imperfect, that it feels unnatural and forced to make it so when the subject, to me, demands it.

That I suppose is the difference in the way we see and interpret as individuals or as artists. My approach is generally to do what I feel is best from my perspective and not what is expected - - - it's that way with everything in my life. I guess that I am not a "documenter" but an "intrepreter" of what is in front of where I place my lens.

Some people hate what I do or don't understand it - or how I capture and process my photographic images - - - and just as many appreciate or love the way I do what I do and end up being loyal admirers or customers. At the least, I am content in causing people to think and make a choice one way or the other. All said - I'll stick with the way that I have interpretted the scene - - - and at the same time truly do respect and appreciate your viewpoint, or any others.

I am not able to change the title under my name on the side of posts on this forum - - - but on all other forums I have visited over many years, that title bears the words "Alternative Viewpoint" - and so that will maybe help you realize where I am coming from as well. Something else that may help you see how I have beenmolded over my growing up, is with the influence of my uncles and artistic family - one uncle being one of Canadas predominant artists particularly during the 60's and 70's - John Boyle. Here is some of his work - http://www.lochgallery.com/component/option,com_art/action,artist/id,141/Itemid,30/ - and also he is one of the founders of the Nihilist Spasm Band - http://www3.sympatico.ca/pratten/NSB/. I don't appreciate everything he does - but on the other hand, a similar genetic predisposition does influence me.




Rob

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

That I suppose is the difference in the way we see and interpret as individuals or as artists. My approach is generally to do what I feel is best from my perspective and not what is expected - - - it's that way with everything in my life.

Some people hate what I do or don't understand it - or how I take and interpret say my photographic images - - - and just as many love it and admire the apporach I've taken and end up being loyal customers because of that difference. At the least, I am content in causing people to think and make a choice one way or the other. All said - I'll stick with the way that I have interpretted the scene - - - and at the same time truly do respect and appreciate your viewpoint, or any others.

I am not able to change the title under my name on the side of posts on this forum - - - but on all other forums I have visited over many years, that title bears the words "Alternative Viewpoint" - and so that will maybe help you realize where I am coming from as well. Something else that may help you see how I have beenmolded over my growing up, is with the influence of my uncles and artistic family - one uncle being one of Canadas predominant artists particularly during the 60's and 70's - John Boyle. Here is some of his work - http://www.lochgallery.com/component/option,com_art/action,artist/id,141/Itemid,30/ - and also he is one of the founders of the Nihilist Spasm Band - http://www3.sympatico.ca/pratten/NSB/.




Rob

Rob, I do not hate what you have done at all, and you put up lots of great photographs that I often respond to and think are marvelous and interesting and I'm sure that your clients feel this way about your work too.

I, also like your version but was really responding to how I thought this particular subject could have been treated as the point of the shot was that it was symmetrical. How to scream that it is so symmetrical but to show it that way. I think that showing it as a split mirror type then the differences and the sameness scream out more. The light on the women's side. The fountain being lower, the square sewer drain or whatever it is, and then how much everything else is the so much the same.

So, I hope you know it was not a put down of your choice but a thoughtful suggestion of another viewpoint. I would never flippantly say something without a thought about it first. I have seen this image now for a few days and debated whether to say anything because I do respect your viewpoint but it kept speaking to me in this difference language of how it just wanted to be smack dab in the middle.

I would in no way tell you to change it, but I think how others perceive our images and their feedback is important even if only to reinforce that our own ideas and intentions are the best way afterall. Feedback is just that, something to look at and see if anything in it is useful and if not to be happy and confident in what we did, as you are.

I also took a quick look at your uncle's works and he's got some very interesting works. How fortunate for you to grow up under his influence.
Maggie

 

[Robert Watcher]

I apologize Maggie - - - I wasn't meaning to imply that "you" hated my work and didn't see vlaue on any of my photography. I was talking in generalizations - things that I am aware of and confident with from my years of exposing myself to others viewpoints on forums and other media. Sorry about that. Sometimes I try to be thorough with my responses and end up confusing people.


One of the reasons that I posted the second image - was so that those who wanted to see perfectly symmetrical - - - could.

I would in no way tell you to change it, but I think how others perceive our images and their feedback is important even if only to reinforce that our own ideas and intentions are the best way afterall. Feedback is just that, something to look at and see if anything in it is useful and if not to be happy and confident in what we did, as you are.

I agree totally, and hoped that I was supporting that way of thinking in my reply. Please do not hesitate to express your opinions around me. I can take it. And please do not take a rebuttal or response by me as being defensive or attacking you. It is nothing more than my need to explain - - - a serious flaw of mine. (where the heck are the SMileys?!!!)



Rob

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

I apologize Maggie - - - I wasn't meaning to imply that "you" hated my work and didn't see vlaue on any of my photography. I was talking in generalizations - things that I am aware of and confident with from my years of exposing myself to others viewpoints on forums and other media. Sorry about that. Sometimes I try to be thorough with my responses and end up confusing people.


One of the reasons that I posted the second image - was so that those who wanted to see perfectly symetrical - - - could.


Rob

Rob, I didn't take it as you saying that I hated your work, just wanted to emphasize that I really do admire the work you do.
Maggie

 

[Robert Watcher]

If you are ever in Toronto Ontario - and happen to travel by the TTC Subway - - - be sure to come across my uncle John's commisioned (over $100,000 in 1980) enamel murals at the Queen Street Station (some people love them and many are very vocal at hating them). After all of the years they have been there, I still enjoy popping down and seeing them just because I have a connection - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TTC_Queen_station_view_across_the_tracks.jpg



Rob

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

If you are ever in Toronto Ontario - and happen to travel by the TTC Subway - - - be sure to come across my uncle John's commisioned (over $100,000 in 1980) enamel murals at the Queen Street Station (some people love them and many are very vocal at hating them). After all of the years they have been there, I still enjoy popping down and seeing them just because I have a connection - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TTC_Queen_station_view_across_the_tracks.jpg



Rob

Very Cool, Rob, I will keep that in mind for the next time I'm down that way.

Maggie

 

[Ben Rubinstein]

Have to admit that I do prefer the symmetrical one, if only for the processing.