Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Creative Photography: Statue at Sunset


This statue sits in the center of the entrance to a little park that faces Raritan Bay. It was late, late afternoon and the sun and the clouds and the sky were all magnificent.

Please visit CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY to see all the wonderful photos entered this week.

55 comments:

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Wow, another haunting photograph. The second one I've seen today...

Ralph said...

The fireman is there to protect and save lives. And in this statue, the little girl will be fine!

Another great capture, Dianne!

Minnesotablue said...

A great photo Diane. Just want to comment on your previous entry. I used to collect clowns but when I noticed a few of my grandkids creeping out when they saw them I stopped. Some of them are really frightening.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

i like the vignette you used on it

good luck this week

Knight said...

That background looks painted it's so perfect. I like how the fade out looks a little like smoke.

aims said...

Wow! That's quite the statue! I almost related it to the clown pic but then saw what it was. I really should put my glasses on first thing in the morning.....

maryt/theteach said...

Dianne, that's an incredible sculpture! Good luck to you in the contest! :)

Raven said...

Stunning photo. I wish he had eyes. I keep going to that plate on his face. The body language of the statue is so tender. They sky and tree behind frame the statue beautifully.

Daryl said...

Dianne, this is so involving ... its a wonderful shot, perfectly framed!

:-Daryl

Bear Naked said...

What an awesome statue.
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

Bear((( )))

CG said...

Very impressive. I like it a lot, glad there are no more clowns!!

Dianne said...

mom2my9 - I took dozens of shots of the statue. A few were very haunting, some felt too sad. this one seemed to bridge the gap between loss and rescue.

ralph - thank you! I love the body language of the little girl, the sculptor did a fine job.

minnesota - I used to collect the Peirot Clowns - those were as far as I'd go. I've actually never met a child who liked clowns.

bond - thank you! I wanted the background to have its place but I wanted the statue to be the star.

knight - it was an incredible day! I have tons of shots of the sky. Maybe I'll do Sky Watch Friday. your observation about the smoke is so cool, thanks!

aims - you crack me up. you should see the damage I do at the gocery without my glasses!! who knew epsom salt wasn't good for pasta! ;)

thank you teach!!

raven - at first I though the 'no face' wasn't such a great idea but then I realized it's every face, I think that's what the artist wanted. the body language of the statue IS so tender and so fluid. thanks raven.

daryl - "perfectly framed" - thank you!! I had so many versions but this one is my favorite

thank you bear!! before blogging my photos didn't come to life the way they do now and that's all because of all of you.

Dianne said...

cg - I'm done with clowns - well except for the men I keep meeting ;)

Askew To You said...

Great shot! I like how you framed the fireman and child.

maryt/theteach said...

Dianne, I have an award for you at my blog - come see! :)

juliana said...

a poignant statue and a great shot!

Unknown said...

Wow. That's an amazing photo. Truly. The background looks like it's painted, giving the whole thing a sort of surreal look.

Wow.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

It almost looks as if it is painted.

Dianne said...

askew - thank you very much :)

juliana - I tried to do justice to the statue, it's a lovely piece of art. thank you.

pagan - thank you!! it was one of those rare perfect days - the sky was amazing, especially at the shore.

queen size funny bone - I was surprised myself when I first saw it. thanks.

tt said...

Amazing. Great sculpting. And I love that the child looks ok too.
those clouds look painted...wow...
You have a great eye for photography.xo

Mom Knows Everything said...

What a beautiful and meaningful statue!!

Bobkat said...

[Claps hands] I love this! I love what you have done with the vignette effect :)

I dropped by to say thanks for the well wishes and the joke. It made me laugh and then cough alot but don't feel bad, it was totally worth it :D

Patti said...

What a great photo of the statue. And the sky behind it looks like a painting for sure!
The statue really evokes the firefighter's care and concern for the child.

Nicely done, Dianne. Good luck in Roger's contest.

holly said...

that is SOOO awesome!! i totally LOVE that shot!

Jeff B said...

I had the same thought as Knight. The backdrop looks painted. Very cool!

Bob Johnson said...

Great shot! What bond said,I like the vignette effect too. :)

Dianne said...

tt - thanks sweet grape! I love how he's holding the child, the sculptor really did an amazing job with the hands.

tammy - it is! I have to post photos of the entire park, it's lovely.

bobkat - thank you! I hope that as you laughed and coughed at least some of the cruddy stuff broke up!
I swear I want to make you soup and bring you juice :)

patti - thank you so much!

holly - thank you, I'm a blushin' :)

jeff - it was one of the most amazing skies I've seen in a long, long time and the camera was just magic on Saturday. Every shot I took was a winner. It was a really nice day.

bob - thank you so much, I appreciate the compliment.

RW said...

What a awesome photo! All around good stuff Di!! :D

Rambling Woods said...

That is a haunting photo...

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Dianne! A very moving picture. The sky is magnificent. It almost looks like a painting. Lisa

ETK said...

Dianne, that's stunning! Gorgeous!!! I love it.

Linda said...

That is definitely a haunting photo and very, very cool! I know a lot of firefighters that would love to have a copy of it hanging on their walls!

Very, very nice!

Anonymous said...

A sense of softness in hard material :)

Gattina said...

A beautiful picture but very scary ! (at least for me)

bobbie said...

Dianne, this is a great picture.
It's also a great statue. Never saw one like it.

CrystalChick said...

Absolutely terrific photograph!! Intense too.

Regarding clowns: I also collected those peirot ones, porcelain face, hands, feet, and nice costumes. Never could take circus clowns or hobo clowns though. *shudder*

Schmoop said...

Interesting shot. The sky and clouds look almost cartoon-like. Sweet. Cheers Di!!

Dianne said...

roger - thank you! awesome is a great compliment :)

rambling woods - I felt haunting at the beginning but the more I look at the hands cradling the child the more I felt hopeful. But I guess haunting and hopeful can go together :)

etk - stunning!! thank you kid! I love that.

linda - what a wonderful compliment to think a firefighter would be touched by my photo. thank you so much.

napaboaniya - "A sense of softness in hard material" thank you! I was hoping to convey just how touching and human the statue is.

gattina - I think the lack of a face can make it scary but as I told Raven I believe the sculptor was going for showing the stance of a firefighter - so the face is covered but the hands say so much.

bobbie - the statue is unique and remarkable. I was just driving along the bay when a giant red playground caught my eye for RT and as I got closer I saw the statue.

crystalchick - it is intense in person - glad that came through - thank you.
the peirot pieces are beautiful - gentle and graceful - not your average clown :)

matt-man - "cartoon-like" - that brings a whole new perspective. the day was starling in its perfection. I'm so glad I captured it. hugs sweetie.

Melli said...

I reallllly like this statue! At first I thought the background was ... just that! A background - like in a photography studio! The clouds sort of look like that!

I love your RED down below too - and the story about what you went through to get it! :)

Dianne said...

thanks melli!! the sky was unreal that day, haven't seen it so perfect in years.

Natalie said...

Minnesotablue said...
A great photo Diane. Just want to comment on your previous entry. I used to collect clowns but when I noticed a few of my grandkids creeping out when they saw them I stopped. Some of them are really frightening.


Okay, I was going to comment on this Tuesday, but didn't want to cause it stir. I'm glad you said it and not me, minnesota!!!

Beautiful photo, Di. Simply stunning. You are gifted!

Frank Baron said...

Very dramatic, colourful, and somehow haunting. The mask gives the firefighter a near-alien appearance. But it also serves to make him a sort of "everyman."

Bravo. :)

Hilary said...

That's just beautiful, Dianne. It looks surreal. Lovely!

Reb said...

Beautiful, Dianne.

Kimmie said...

Dianne,
You really outdid yourself with this photo. I was so moved at the sight of it, goodness it instantly gave me the goosebumps. This is by far the best I have seen so far since the contest started! It speaks the unsaid. Awesome Job!!!
Hugs,
Kimmie

Karen said...

Beautiful picture. I love that.

Dianne said...

magnetbabe - I love that you and minnesota came over to chat lol
and thanks for such nice words about the photo

frank - it was the everyman/woman aspect that touched me.
thanks!

hilary - thanks so much!!

reb - thank you lady :)

kimmie - wow!! high praise indeed since there are so many amazing photos every week. I loved your twirling slot machine!!

Jeff B said...

Hey completely different topic. I'm starting/restarting a writing challenge and would love your input when you have a chance.

fermicat said...

That's some cool work on the photo. It looks like lomo, with all the weird coloration and the heavy vignetting. Good work!

Dianne said...

fermicat - I really wanted the statue to stand out and I wanted it to look like part of a perfect, hopeful day so thanks so much!!

Carletta said...

Love this!

Dianne said...

carletta - thanks :)

Kay said...

This photo touched me. My son is a firefighter in New Mexico. It's a wonderful statue.

Dianne said...

kay - thank you! may your son always stay safe.

Tink said...

Beautiful job! The only thing I would suggest is photoshopping out the pole and the people on the right.