Padlock, Upland Santa Cruz

[pecunium]

Padlock, Upland Santa Cruz, originally uploaded by pecunium.

We were walking back from a trip up to the lava tubes in the highlands of Santa Cruz. We took a cab up, and walked back.

It's an exercise in how the camera can lie. What does the entire gate look like? What's the gate protecting? Ignoring the, apparent, condition of the wood (which is at a moderate premium on the islands) how secure is the area behind the gate?

The answers are: the gate is low (not quite four feet, as I recall), what's behind it is a yard, with some children's toys. Just down the way was an entrance to the yard, with no gate.

But it's still a nice photograph. I particularly like the way the wear from the chain is apparent

Comments

[punzel.livejournal.com]

This gets me viscerally. I continue to enjoy your photography, thank you for sharing.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'll bite, what is it about this which causes a strong reaction?

I ask because I want to know what elements are effective, to better make such images by intent.

[punzel.livejournal.com]

Impersonally, not as visceral, though it makes for a good story. It looks easy to bust down, or at least suggests that there's a key somewhere, so it implies action, a story, a question about why there is a portal and why it is locked. The palette is bright and the contrast between the metal and wood and greenery lends plenty of depth.

A while back in my journal, I drafted a character piece that included references to a yellow door. It was about letting go of heartbreak. I could see that character's hand touching the wood of this gate. That's what got me viscerally.