Seeing 2009 (#69)

Julianna and I are escaping the valley (doubtless, along with the rest of the hoards) for the Labor Day weekend, celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary a few weeks in advance.

The plan is to drive down the Pacific coast to Cambria, near San Simeon and Hearst's Castle. She's never been; I once visited long long ago, c. 1975. Very much looking forward to it.

Since it will be a few days before I can post after this, two entries to tide over any visitors. Both were originally color images, converted to BW, however the shield was essentially a monochromatic scene as the surface was gray paint.

The gathering of palms, with their light-hearted visitor, evokes for me an odd sort of convention, entities huddled together to discuss how to contend with gathering clouds. I felt the scene to be at once ominous and strangely humorous ("which one of these things doesn't belong . . ?")

Untitled, #7042

(c)2009 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 25, 2006; Canon 20D; f/13 @ 1/400 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 100; 18mm.

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The second offering suggests a number of contradictory statements about privacy, security and safety: what is being protected? Who's the protector? Is the shield simply voyeuristic? Is someone hiding behind the shield?

Peep Hole, #4261

(c)2009 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 21, 2009; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/320 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 100; 42mm.

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