“… This time tomorrow what will we see
Fields full of houses, endless rows of crowded streets…”
(from This Time Tomorrow, by the Kinks)
When is a photo not a photo? When is an image more a diary of memories and associations?
Normally, I listen to classical music when I review and edit my photos. No words to distract me. But when I look at this photo, I have to listen to This Time Tomorrow. Probably because the intro of the song has the sound of the jet plane and that’s also my favorite part of this picture: the tiny perfect plane. When I see a plane I often wish I was on it, going somewhere to an adventure.
However, just the words this time tomorrow are a critical part of this image in my mind. This gate in Chinatown was a favorite sight, next to the YMCA building. I took several photos of it and there was just something about it that I liked to look at. And then one day it was gone. I remember the day I walked by, not having been by there for a while, and the visceral shock of seeing the bulldozers tearing down the last pieces of the structure.
This photo is a reminder to me that this world is such a transient place. This time tomorrow, what will we see?
Interesting about photo editing habits. I can’t listen to music with words either…I tried once to listen to This American Life along with editing photos and it was like trying to pat my head and rub my stomach. Our brains are compartmentalized to do certain things…these days I prefer Eno or maybe squarepusher or something emotionless.
Regarding the photo, i like the light bleeding in above the sill. And of course the airplane, it speaks to transience. Good shot.
I’m pretty much with both of you. I can’t edit or even comment on flickr when lyrics are in music. I can identify which images catch my eye, but i can’t articulate why they do.
I actually have gotten to the point that I only listen to three CDs. They are my “official” photo editing music selections. It’s becoming Pavlovian.
Listen… edit.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
That’s great how you were able to take the photo with the plane still in view. It’s sad how quickly things can just disappear…and I suppose not just things, but people as well. People fade away from our lives quicker than we notice sometimes…and then we wake up later and realize how far removed we have all become (hope this makes sense).
Yes, it makes perfect sense. I think it’s important to take photos so that we don’t forget what is important to us.
great post and greatly appreciate knowing the story of feeling behind it.
Thanks, Meg.
I too appreciate your editing style. So much multi tasking, so little focus/connection to the visual voice of an image. Love the image and understand the gate story. enjoy pjc
Peter J. Crowley
Photographic Art
http://www.peterjcrowley.com
If you have integrity nothing else matters.
If you don’t have integrity nothing else matters.
Alan Simpson
“The visual voice of an image”… I like that. Thanks for the comment.