Saturday, June 07, 2008

Taking a closer look

One of the joys of digital photography in general, and photo blogging in particular, is getting the chance -- and taking the time -- to look more closely at sights that have caught my attention.

Rushing off to a professional engagement in Rodez on Thursday, I noticed this striking green gate and made a mental note to take a shot of it on the way back from the appointment. And rushing back to catch my bus, I allowed myself no more than 15 seconds to take the photo.

I had barely even looked at the object in my objective -- I was just struck by its color, which is not that common in the area's exterior decoration.

But examining it at home on my computer screen, I saw so much more: the overflowing plant that prooves what a green spring we're having; the contrast between the old stone on the right and the rather less attractive material used to cover the building; the fact that the gate doesn't seem to be attached right -- or at all.

It reminded me of Aveyron: green, full of contrasts, and a little off-kilter.

18 comments:

Tinsie said...

I couldn't agree more! It's amazing how much you notice when you look through a viewfinder :-)

It's a beautiful photo and I bet you're glad you paused to take it.

Pumpkin said...

It drives my husband nuts because I see something in things he doesn't. I will take a photo and he will get onto me that I am wasting the battery. However, we get home and that is the first photo he will want to put on his blog! He is even starting to give me credit as the photographer. :)

I think you have an eye for photography and I have adored your photos since I first started following your blog.

Anonymous said...

I do agree: blogging makes the life richer and how great of you to share this greener observation!

Wishing you a great end to your week :-)

tut-tut said...

Wonderful photo; I agree. What is behind it?

blueVicar said...

It's great to have things come into view that you might not otherwise have seen. We miss a lot by being in a hurry and by the scenery being too familiar. Glad you found this...

Meilleurs voeux!!

Jennifer said...

I love this green gate!

Your comparison of the photo to the Aveyron is very inviting.

Linda said...

Great photo. I don't know why, but some of my best photos are those I take quickly. The ones I take time with usually are more uninteresting.

Lavender Honey said...

Whenever I see beautiful architecture like this, I always wish I studied more French culture and history. I also see this exact design of front gate in my region, but have no clue which period this style emerged and the name of this particular style.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

So pretty. The color is incredible. I love old gates and doors.
Becky

spacedlaw said...

Ant the door obviously hasn't been moved - let alone closed - for a while.

Betty Carlson said...

Thanks for all the compliments on the photo and especially Pumpkin's -- that means a lot to me.

This was just the entrance to an old house on the outskirts of Rodez.

Randal Graves said...

The old gate is almost an afterthought, like so many things in a life. It's there, we rarely notice it, save for those rare occasions. Good thing some guy somewhere many years ago invented photography!

Laura in Paris said...

It's great that you take the time to have a closer look at the pictres once they're on your screen. I enjoy discovering details I had not seen - or being disappointed at things that I saw and do not come as I thought!

ashtanga en cevennes said...

Beautiful, Betty! You inspire me to take more photos.

B said...

Those are great observations and a wonderful quality of photography. So often photos really do provide an opportunity to re-examine something we initially passed rather quickly or didn't give much thought. But something in you "saw" that door, even if consciously just its color.

Marie Reed said...

I actually found you throgh b! This is such an inviting photoblog. I think I'm going to pour a glass of wine and stay for awhile:)

Betty Carlson said...

Thank you Marie! I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Yes! I would be running back to take this pic too! I love mystery within small things. And this one is vibrantly colourful too!