Tags
avenue, cycling, lazy, photography, road, Romania, roof lines, Sighisoara, tranquil, Transylvania, wires
There is something about this shot that really appeals to me – but I just can’t quite put my finger on it! Is it the colours – or the tangle of wires? That ‘lazy lunchtime’ feeling? The roof lines? That magnificent building that dominates the background? ….. or is it something else?! 
It’s very easy when travelling, when going somewhere different, to get carried away with the newness of it all. I find it very inspiring and I love taking photos, both to share with others what I saw, but also to try and capture what the place means and feels to me. It can also be frustrating because chances are you won’t be in the right place, at the right time, with the right light but somehow you still have to make the best of it.
It’s also very easy when ‘stuck’ in your own locale to become immune to what’s around you and bored with the sameness of it all. I find myself thinking that there’s nothing to photograph, if only I could go somewhere else, somewhere interesting. Then I have to remind myself that where I live is new to someone else, interesting to someone else.
Our ordinary lives are only ordinary to us and in order to keep being inspired we need to see our lives through other peoples’ eyes – easier said than done! Maybe that’s the thing I like most about this image? For these two guys, this is an everyday scene of ordinary life – for me it’s magical …… even though I still can’t quite work out why!
(All images are copyright to Noeline Smith)
I like this picture very much Noeline. I love the two cyclists in their overalls. There’s a lot of going on and the more you look the more you see.
I’ve posted pictures that I thought were very ordinary and they have received more comments and likes than other photographs that for me were much more interesting. As you said, what is ordinary for us can be new and interesting to someone else.
I agree Noeline,it is an appealing and uplifting scene. My immediate response was to the quality of light and the colours – and, of course, the relationship between the two. I was also drawn into the picture by the strong sense of perspective.
I was interested in the reference to ‘your own locale’. Of necessity, I’m heavily dependent on the local scene, I’ve just counted. Since the beginning of Novemeber I’ve posted 97 images: 79 were produced in or around the home, 8 within a radius of one mile and only 10 from beyond. I think what we see depends on how we look – where our interest is focused.
Thank you Louis. Although the perspective is an obvious appeal I hadn’t actually put my finger on it – thanks for putting it so succinctly!
I’m impressed that you’re home ground is so productive – or rather, that you find so much in it. Maybe part of my ‘problem’ is that my interest lies elsewhere? I’m one of these people that HAS to know what’s around the corner, over the next hill etc. There’s always something new to see and do. Don’t get me wrong, I could while away a summer afternoon in a hammock with a good book – but it’ll be a travel book or biography!
I also think that having managed to capture some decent photographs (at least I think they are!) of the obvious things close to home I now need to stretch my imagination and creativity to find the less obvious – and your blog is great for prompting that
You might have a look at Howard Zehr’s ‘Little Book of Contemplative Photography’. It’s slim, it’s cheap but helps to free the thinking if that’s what you want.
Thanks Chillbrook – and the cyclists are great aren’t they?! If they hadn’t had their overalls on it just wouldn’t be the same.
I think maybe you and Louis are helping to explain why I like this shot – the combination of perspective and how much there is to see keeps drawing me in, keeps me looking. Maybe that’s it?!
Thanks for the recommendation Louis – it’s on order!
Lovely shot Noeline. I like the way the cyclists are bringing movement into the scene and leading the eye towards the main building the background.
Is it possible this image is also jogging a pleasant memory of your trip?
Interesting idea about the sense of movement – and you’re right, it would be very static without them. I used to try and avoid people ‘ruining’ my shots but it finally dawned on me that they often lend scale and life – and in this case, movement. I’m still learning
It jogs great memories of a fantastic trip. Our few days in Sighisoara allowed time to do nothing more strenuous than enjoy the place and soak up the atmosphere.
….. and you’re right on the second count too
I remember a few years back setting up a shot whilst out hillwalking. I was about to release the shutter when a mountain biker came into the shot. I silently cursed him but then thought, this could be quite good. I fired off some shots and managed to get him and his friend who also came into my view. The picture was later published in an ezine.
I think I saw this one didn’t I? As long as we’re talking about the same one – it was a great shot and, from memory, the cyclists helped the track lead in and gave a good sense of place and depth. Congratulations on being published!
Thanks. I think it was more luck than good judgement!
I have nominated you for the Liebster Award
http://poetrybyclaudie.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/its-fun-being-nominated/
Thank you! I’m honoured and pleased that you have nominated my blog for such an accolade ….. and the Liebster Award seems pretty appropriate
This is my second nomination for an award, and just as much a surprise, although I have yet to decide my philosophy on such things but I thank you warmly for the thought.