Saturday, December 01, 2007

The clock strikes...

Timeless
London, ON, August 2007
[Click to enlarge]

This clock tower in the middle of London's University of Western Ontario campus sits up on a hill, standing guard like some kind of ancient sentinel. I see it often because it's not far from the television studio where I often do interviews.

On this August evening, I had just finished one such interview and was feeling pretty good about the outcome. The last bits of sunlight were fading into memory as I walked back to my car, slowly running the just-completed interview through my head. No one else was around as I looked around and tried to remember visuals that would cement this particular day in my mind.

The clock tower struck me as particularly appropriate to photograph. Not only was it perfectly bathed in the very soft light of late evening. It also reflected the importance of time to some folks, and the fact that my last deadline of the day had been met, and now I could take a few quiet moments to reflect and record.

I took a few pictures from the parking lot, lingering for a bit because I didn't want to forget what it felt like to have had a really successful, fulfilling day. Then it was time to head home and add to my memories of the day by sharing it with the folks who mattered most.

Your turn: How do you use your camera to capture how you feel?

One more thing: Speaking of TV, I was at it again yesterday. I did a live interview with BNN's Kim Parlee about the departure of Motorola CEO Ed Zander. Click here to see it. I'd love to hear what you think.

8 comments:

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Yeah, I can see how that would symbolize things nicely. It's speaking to me this morning, too.

utenzi said...

Michele sent me over today, Carmi.

That's a lovely clock tower. It reminds me of the one on the Duke University campus near here in Durham, NC. They have a gothic theme going on there.

I generally don't use my camera to express how I feel. I suspect my mood changes more in relation to what I photograph than vice versa. I think that makes me more a voyeur than an artist.

The Turmanators said...

Lovely photo in what must be a lovely location.And congrats on the interview. Glad Michele sent me to visit you again; it's been a while.

I suppose other than the obvious "Capture the Short People/Friends/Life in Permanent Memory" function of the camera, I often use it to record funny things for posterity. My favorites...Every year someone erases the "Y" on a sign in the Outer Banks of NC so it advertises the play "The Lost Colon(y)" and a hotel billboard that encourages folk to "have your affair with us!".

Anonymous said...

Hi Carmi!
Michele didn't send me, but I am playing for the first time in months, can you believe it?

I use my camera to capture other's emotions that I identify with. When I look at the photo, I imagine what they are feeling, how they processed their surroundings, and then see if I can understand and recognize the same emotions in myself. I almost always can. I'm not sure if this is empathy or narcissism....

Andi said...

I suppose the fact that I take a LOT of pictures of loved ones reflects how I feel. I especially love photographing birthday parties and the expressions of happiness. I love the spontaneity that comes when a person is truly happy.

Michele sent me. :-)

Snaggle Tooth said...

At that hour, I wasn't awake yet! (I hate working nights, because I enjoy daylight photography- don't get much).
I use my cam to record the familiar things near home I enjoy about being here, so I can go back to see it anytime-

My latest post actually shows a section of beach my Mom used to sit on during visits, I can picture her sitting there. It was taken this week on her expiration anniversary, because I want to remember how she lived, not how she left- but that Info isin't explained on my post...feelings...

Unknown said...

Hey Carmi ;)

I watched your TV interview, It was good I enjoyed it and if I was the kind of person I'm not I would have anon dod'd Boy Genius 's site for just being an ass but I'm not,

Very interesting but I did have to sit through til they got to you and I learnt things I don't think I will ever need to know ;)

I have well and truly fell for my 'crackberry' and I cant see how I surevived so long lets hope the 9000 appears

Shephard said...

I love the clock and gothic arch!

I use my camera to capture things that make me feel. :)
Michele says hello!
~S