In the Athens flea market, I found this stall with a pile of junk. There were probably lots of treasures in this pile, but it was treated as junk. I photographed it for a while, until it seemed I annoyed the owners. They were trying to pack up and close for the night. It was a fascinating subject, because it was full of so many compositional opportunities. So many contrasts.
As I was looking for images with contrast for the Visual Contrast topic we are studying right now, this one popped out at me. There is a light/dark contrast of the image and the items around it, but there is another contrast that struck me at a deeper level. The religious icon dumped amongst everything else gave me a contrast of revered/abandoned. As if someone had lost their faith, and thrown it in with all of the other junk they were sending away. Kind of sad.
Amazing, isn't it, what you might take away from the contrasts in one image. As I've been studying contrasts, I've been seeing how they can show a deeper meaning or message in our photos. I've also discovered that I'm studying the balance of contrasts in other ways. Today I'm on Elizabeth Gonzalez's blog, with a guest post on balancing my artistic and technical pursuits. Elizabeth pointed out to me that the balance of contrasting forces I've found in my own life is just like the balance of contrasts we're studying with Visual Contrast. I didn't realize it until she pointed it out: You can have opposing forces work together in balance, whether it's in life or in art.
Please stop by Elizabeth's blog to read my thoughts on balance. Elizabeth is a talented ceramics and mixed media artist, along with being an engineer like me. When you visit, I hope you will stay around a while and look at the beautiful art she creates.
And oh my gosh - I published and then forgot - it's the giveaway day! Here are the two winners:
The Favorite Flowers set goes to Wendy of not caught up.
The Superhero set goes to Patty of Nomadic Notebook.
Wendy and Patty, I'll be contacting you for your address, so we can get these in the mail. Thanks to everyone for particpating!
What a lovely jumble of finds. How on earth did you keep your hands out of it? Or didn't you :-)
ReplyDeleteI think many people would have various kind of feelings. How big it is!.
ReplyDeleteAh, balance is a very precarious thing! In yoga I find balance the most difficult, in life balance is something I aim for but as I once read maintaining this balanced state is not an easy task, if at all possible! Makes you think!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the fascinating thoughts and pics.
Sue x
I would have been digging through that pile to find some treasures, for sure. Very interesting capture and I agree, there are many deep contrasts present. Well done!
ReplyDeleteWow, just wrote in my journal about balancing the demands of work and my life at home... work over takes sometimes like last week and I need to focus on my art when I get home instead of letting my fatigue from work get the best of me! I was so sad I missed your give away... never got a chance to get on-line.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I like the unique imagery in this photo! Art can always be viewed on so many different levels, sometimes it all depends upon who is viewing the piece and what life experiences they bring to the mix.
ReplyDeleteGreat post... contrast, a very interesting topic.
ReplyDeletelooks like there were some interesting treasures in that box. great post.
ReplyDeleteI just read your post on Elizabeth's blog -- wonderful how you've integrated left and right brain! I know you are a wonderful teacher, which does require both sides of the brain. Loved the photos too!
ReplyDeleteThat pile of junk reminds me of my first school year when I learned to play the recorder on exactly such an instrument as we can see in your picture! Wow, I never dared to throw mine away, and I can still play it!
ReplyDeleteI think contrast is so important, especially in photography where it can really make or break a photograph. Probably similar things can be said about life :) Off to read about your views on balance now.
ReplyDeletebalance - that is where my left brain nature totally kicks in and takes charger. I have learned what it says, I do. Haven't been disappointed yet. Great lesson Miss K!
ReplyDeleteWould love to rummage through all that stuff! Great post and a thoughtful topic.
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