My second theme for February could live in a plastic box labelled "The Picture Within". The idea is this: take an old negative that is so uninspiring that, the first time around, you probably never even bothered printing it. Then scan it, enlarge it, and search within it for an image that is crying out to be created.
My first submission is based on a photograph I must have taken some time back in the 1970s. It was in a Bingo Hall in, I think, Bridlington. I pointed the camera into the arcade and took a photograph in the hope that something interesting might emerge when I developed the film. Nothing must have emerged because, as far as I can remember, I never made a print from the negative. But now, when I scan it, I see a woman who has turned away from her bingo game to see what kind of person wastes good film on such a scene. And there is something about her stance, something about her look, something about her enigmatic eyes which makes me want to take her out of her context and discover her anew. It's a silly game, I know, but it keeps me amused during the cold winter months.
I think it's wonderful to take an individual and shine a light on them in a new way, maybe for the first time, and the impressionistic qualities are the perfect way to do so. It's a great idea and a great title.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fantastic shot, maybe at the time one wouldn't appreciate how much of the mood and the era is captured, so it's a real treasure to see all these years on. Scanning negatives is great, you never know what you'll find.
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea, Alan...or should that be, Leonardo?
ReplyDeleteIs nice and look amazing but I feel she is sad:) nice shot!
ReplyDeleteYou have made art from the mundane. The graininess of the photo yields an impressionistic feeling to the enlargements.
ReplyDeleteSilly? No, I find it fascinating. Great qualities in both enlargements, but the first is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to pull out creative compositions like that and recreate new artworks. Good job cropping out the two of them.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder of the strangers who pop up in a photo & steal the show! I also imagine if I am the stranger in another's ?(with no way of finding them ).
ReplyDeleteActually ...your photo prompts a memory...several years ago..I was drunk in an Istanbul Hotel.....a gaggle of equally drunk Japanese tourists wanted me in their group photo (they kind of picked me at random ) "The Token Drunken European" no doubt! I didnt have the gumption to get their contact details.....so never saw the photo............Although I imagine I can hear distant laughter from the Tokyo region.....!
Should think that photo has sociological interest. I often wish I had taken more photos of ordinary things when I was a young thing. I'd find them so interesting now.
ReplyDeleteVery fine images. The poor girl obviously doesn't enjoy Bingo much!
ReplyDeleteThe closer look certainly does more to this gal than the general photo. Neat idea er theme!
ReplyDeleteAlan....I have a surprise for you......I have nominated you for the Liebster Award......see my blog, "It's Always Something". Love, Lo
ReplyDeleteIn that close up on the bottom she looks like she begging you to save her.
ReplyDeleteIn the close-up she looks like she wishes you would save her.
ReplyDeleteWow! The result could have been painted by Vermeer! Good work, Alan.
ReplyDeleteI suspect she wasn't having much luck with the bingo balls. "Two little ducks; quackety, quack," and all that!
ReplyDeleteI wonder where she is and what she looks like now.
lovely!
ReplyDeleteI have a few photographs in slide form. I need to have them developed to digital!
Roy is right, “The girl with the faraway look”. A fascinating idea Alan.
ReplyDeleteTaken in what is now "Nobles's Pleasureland" arcade Bridlington , looking towards Prince St entrance,can just see "Burton's" tailors across road which was taken over by McDonalds when Burtons moved to bottom of Queen St.Both now shutdown... will see if anyone on Bridlington days gone by site recognises her ?
ReplyDeleteTaken in what is now "Nobles's Pleasureland" arcade Bridlington , looking towards Prince St entrance,can just see "Burton's" tailors across road which was taken over by McDonalds when Burtons moved to bottom of Queen St.Both now shutdown... will see if anyone on Bridlington days gone by site recognises her ?
ReplyDelete