Curves and lines
San Francisco, CA, March 2007
I was getting worried. I had been in San Francisco for over 24 hours and still hadn't seen a cable car. Not getting a tourist-cliche picture like this would be a big black mark on my photographic report card.
So to cover my bets as I walked back to my hotel, I took this picture of the tracks. (Mom, please stop reading here.) We won't discuss where I had to place myself in order to get this picture. I made sure there was no passing traffic before I, um, exposed myself. (OK, Mom, you can read again.) I took it because there was something in the simple geometries that I felt was worth remembering.
A few minutes later, I came across the penultimate cable car. We're talking kitschy central, the one from the Rice-a-Roni box. And I took the picture. But I won't be posting it here, because it's more than a little obvious. This, instead, is the picture that sticks in my mind. Not because it's the one that everyone expects. Rather, because it's the one they don't.
Your turn: Non-cliche photography. Please discuss.
One more thing: Happy new month! Please make sure to get outside at least once today so you can drink in the fact that life is good. I know it sounds silly, but I hope you'll do it anyway, and maybe even write about it.
i like the geometry of it too....i love to see the interesting games light and shadows play and capture them...u wont see them very often on my blog coz they r so abstract sometimes that i wonder if anyone else will see beauty in them like i do.....
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco- Nice city, bad baseball team.
ReplyDeletecarmi
ReplyDeletethis image reminds me of my boys scalextric - i ilke it
Nice save Carmi....you are still in good standing on your report card! What a nice way to wake up...with the lines and curves! I like this shot and how the lines are leading outward off the frame.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you didnt get hit trying to get it!
I have a picture of the Cucumber Falls in Ohiopyle that was taken with me standing fairly close to the edge of the falls. I never told mom about that.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Tuesday Carmi :)
Too funny that you asked us to go outside. We have had to have the air conditioning on for the last day and a half, but this morning I was able to open the windows. With that first breeze that I caught in my face, against my arms, and around my legs I stretched to the ceiling and smiled and really felt that God was telling me everything would always be alright. It was wonderful. --- As for "NOT your run of the mill tourist shots"... I love those! My pop was particularly good at noticing the less obvious. So, then, I also would look for the weird and different when in a new place. It is refreshing. I love the shots of the tracks.... kind of like they get the shaft and you have given them their due credit. (No tracks, no cable cars.) Nice.
ReplyDeleteGlad you covered your tracks... great pic!
ReplyDeleteLife *IS* good!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great photo. You see things that other people don't see.
I've never like geometry.
ReplyDeleteI do like this.
Please tell me you didn't lie down in that dirty street, Carmi!
ReplyDeleteI was outside at lunch time, reading a book in my car. Today is truly one of the best ever, weather-wise!
I really like your picture today, and I’m impressed by some of the other pictures you’ve posted. I admire photographs of items not typically photographed – if that makes sense. Like the outlet in b/w a couple of days ago, and the drapes, and the jar of jam. To me - it’s eye candy.
ReplyDeletequite a risky piece of photography..but surely wort it.. :) thanks for dropping by my blog..
ReplyDeleteKnow what the best part of San Fran is? That I guarantee you not ONE PERSON who walked by and saw you sprawled on the ground thought anything of it. You fit right in.
ReplyDeleteMan, I love it there.
Happy May Day, Carmi!
Hmm, I can understand why you didn't want your mom to read this. As a mom, I'd also be wondering HOW you got that shot.
ReplyDeleteAnd a great shot it is. Most unusual.
True to your photographer self....you momentarily lived on the wild side. The picture is worth everything!
Carmi: Astronaut Frank Borman told me during a magazine interview that he and Charles Lindbergh were the first to try out BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in San Francisco. This photo reminded me of his story.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot. What you have to do to get a great photograph. But you nailed it.
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