Waiting, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

I was on the top of the parking garage adjacent to the Ikea store in Emeryville on a blustery winter's day when I took this shot. I'd been enjoying photographing the customers who arrived, including the mother and child eating an ice cream cone I posted in an image I called Crosswalk.

I noticed the sea of shopping carts lined up against the bright blue wall and realized that I had to take at least one photo of the collection. I came across the image yesterday when I was considering what I might post on the board. I've been practicing with my new Canon 20D, but most of the shooting I've been doing has been at social events where many of the folks whose photos I've taken have been friends. So instead of new photos you get a chance to see some old ones. Folks seemed to enjoy the blue and red containers, so I thought another graphical image might be in order.

If you look closely you'll notice one of Ikea's distinctive yellow shopping bags left in a cart. You'll also note the reflection in the standing water at the bottom of the image. Fortunately I was sheltered from the falling rain by the garage structure. It was the kind of day most photographers stay inside... ;-)

Enjoy!

Porteplume, PJE, pamastro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Porteplume (4036) 2005-07-10 2:44

I always love to see how some photographers' eyes are able to cut daily life environnement in wonderful pieces of abstract "Art in Shapes & Colours". And I suppose that the most attractive element is the way you succeeded in cleverly framing the composition.

Always fascinating... Well observed Curtis. I was just wondering if a tighter cropping of the bottom - letting the wheels "rolling" on the base - would have been better?

dom_inik_m (1717) 2005-07-10 3:08

According to who will see such an image, this might be interpreted as a representation of heaven (I buy, then I exist), a symbol of hell (both wasting the planet's ressources and an air-conditioned nightmare) or an illusory interpretation of the perfect "civilized" way of life (the pursuit of happiness?)...
Philosophy for beginners, volume 5 (I'm quite sure I'll be able to spot the previous issues, with their subliminal meanings, in your portfolio, Curtis). You'll always surprise me! ;-)
What a way to start this Sunday! I'd better go back to bed... *o)
PS I'm not so sure about the crop suggested by Viviane. But, if it were me, I would dispose of the frame you added...

gaudi-spirit (187) 2005-07-10 3:43

Interesting patern you show us with your pic.

softflower (0) 2005-07-10 5:28

Superbe photo, très graphique. Cela donne style assez particuliers mais j'aime beaucoup.
Nico.

KevRyan (22956) 2005-07-10 6:13

Great observation Curtis - I've got a shopping trolley pic waiting in the wings for somewhen - the repetitive horizontal lines are a sure fire winner - very nice image which spraks the imagination well because we know that individuals will each take one of these and convey it around a place we do not know but can imagine from our own experiences - a good 'show don't tell'.

best wishes Kev

wilkinsonsg (8662) 2005-07-10 18:54

Great graphic, the power of consumption is very well demonstrated here.

PJE (20758) 2005-07-10 20:01

Hi Curtis..Thanks for your kind comments. I see you like shopping. All you need is one cart...but a fw hundred makes an interesting pattern. Nice work. You have also cropped just right to balance all elements in this photo too.

SophieL (6042) 2005-07-11 11:31

Among my personal lists I have one for "boats and seascapes" and one for "graphim and light" (in which Dominique is, by the way, I don't know if he will like the idea of being so categorized! Nor will you, maybe...). From your latest posts, I am considering about moving your profile from the first list to the second! :^)
Both pictures are really interesting. The previous one was more easy maybe, more flattering with the bright colors. This one is almost hypnotizing through the repeat of the patterns, it makes our eyes blink... I fully support Viviane and Dominique's comments.

joseelias (0) 2005-07-15 8:09

Curtis, in this one I really miss someone passing in a hasty pace, with the legs spread and with some motion blur coming from the right…. It would be a fantastic image. Man, I believe I would even pay someone to pass there for the photo! :-)))

The amount of intricate details, excellent clarity, sharpness and tones create an appealing image. Also love that you’ve kept the ground (following the discussion) as it balances the top blue part. Without it the image could become too repetitive and boring.

Photo Information

Copyright: Curtis Grindahl (cgrindahl) (6113)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-02-15
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 DI, Digital RAW, B+W 67mm UV-Haze MRC
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-07-10 2:28