This is one image in a larger personal project entitled "Lost". The project revolves around the idea of being lost in familiar places, like the feeling of being a tourist in the hometown you grew up in. The sense of powerlessness experienced when confined within the complexities of a challenging mind.
I took this with a 28mm @ F11. I used 1 strobe with a beauty dish on a tight grid. This was taken downtown Toronto in the afternoon. It was challenging to time it right with so many people walking around. The cops also gave me a hard time for being on the street.
Really great shot.
I think the challenge in photographic storytelling is that photography is generally interpreted more literally as opposed to conceptually. So my first response is: Why is she standing dead still in the middle of the street, with a spotlight on her face, waiting to get hit by a bus? Placed center in the frame with feet slightly apart and a rigid body removes all sort of motion in the image. No cars, people, or activity of any kind on the street enhances the odd sort of look and feel of the image. She looks more like an alien from another world, planted in a place she doesn't belong. Everything goes against the grain of the realism that we are wired to expect in photography. At first glance, it's just not a natural street picture.
But then we read your comments and the story emerges. There's a concept or symbolic intention in the composition and styling of the photo. Since it's part of a personal project, I wanted to see more of the series... in fact, I'd say it's nearly imperative for grasping the message. I'm glad you included others of the series in your portfolio. I'd recommend placing them together sequentially.
From viewing the series in your portfolio, the strong sense of isolation and movement begins to emerge. It might not hit me in one picture, but the collection is definitely trying to tell me a story. Concept overpowers realism. Where it takes us is uncertain but most definitely a sad feeling of loneliness hits the viewer. The luggage makes me wonder whether she's arriving or leaving. No matter, there's a change in the air. Such as... I don't fit where I'm at so it's time to move on. Who hasn't felt that way at one time or another?
Instead of a singular static image by composition, it's a story full of movement by symbolic meaning. However, looking at a single picture like this out of a series is a little like reading a lone chapter out of the middle of a suspense novel. Viewing the series collectively is critical, in my opinion, for interpreting the image. At that point, there's no question the style is constructed intentionally and it's our task to imagine the story. And a powerful one, it is. Great work, David.
Thanks so much Edward for taking the time to look at my images and give me such a thought full response! Wasn't expecting this at all - thanks!!
Have to disagree with Edward. I had not read your comments and got the sense of a spotlight on being lost. Clearly you were going for something because of the choices you had made. Think this works as a solo peice as well as part of a larger collection.
Lovely shot
It can be a solo piece but I would be interpreted very differently by everyone. And thats okay too - sometimes when we listen to music we interpret it the way we wanted to and we make it more personal. Although it is stronger as a photo series in my opinion.