The Journey 3 of 3

Posted by Duncan Galbraith (kyoto, Japan) on 15 January 2007 in People & Portraits and Portfolio.

It all ends in tragedy...the series that is, thankfully not the woman's commute. I had an idea for this image but couldnt realise it. The series was based on 'narrative', not a prescribed one but a series of images which through their varying treatments and compostions would encourage the viewer to construct one anyway. The wheels fell off here and I kind of realise that. But I decided to upload, we learn from our mistakes and hey, failures are as important as sucesses. I've learned plenty through this, an image which I consider a failure when viewed in relation to the series, and that is a small sucess in itself I guess.
Anyway...hope you all had a good weekend!

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Comments (21)

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Don't me so hard on yourself. I'll agree that it's not as strong as the first two, and thus perhaps a weak "closer". But still taken as a threesome, they're quite good. And this one definitely has its own character - dark and menacing as though that tree had come to life. It seems to be trying its best to reach in past the window.

So it turns out that it's not a plotline we're following, but a series of views through your protagonist's eyes at what lies outside in the world beyond. Kind of reminds me of browsing through the "community" pages at Am3 on any given day: Some images are great, some less so (her expression in this one says "I've seen better"), but all are unique and somebody's vision. Cheers and cheer up.

15 Jan 2007 12:34am

@Damon Schreiber: Hey Damon, dont worry I'm fine! no cheering up required! It was just a bit dissapointing for me to envisage an image and not pull it off in the way I wanted. I still like the finished product but it somehow doesnt sit so well as part of the trilogy. I like your reading of the 'window', it was always meant to be as much of a subject, arguably more so, than the woman herself.

Kheoh Yee Wei from pj, Malaysia

Remembering the good old days ,huh ;)

15 Jan 2007 3:40am

@Kheoh Yee Wei: She may well be. It'll be interesting personally to see how people 'read' this one. Thanks for the visit and interest Kheoh Yee Wei. It's always appreciated.

Chris Sullivan from Melbourne, Australia

Maybe not the best ending narrative-wise for the series but it's still an excellent photo in its own right. Damon's right, the tree does look as if it has come to life, the soft sepia toning and muted colours are also stylistically very fitting for the image. The look on your subjects face is also very interesting - as if she's seen it all before.

15 Jan 2007 3:55am

@Chris Sullivan: Thanks Chris. Your visits are alwasy most welcome mate. Im glad its not going down like the led zeppelin I imagined it might. And it's still generating different ideas from people such as yourself which makes me smile no end. Thanks again Chris.

Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand

I am drawn to this one more than the others, actually. I'm not sure about the story you were telling, but what I have from this particular picture is the stoicism of both the woman as she endures her daily commute, and the tree tirelessly reaching for the sky. I love the treatment you've given this picture, it's very soft and gentle, and highlights, for me, the aging process.

15 Jan 2007 4:08am

@Bronnie: Thanks Bronnie! My 'narrative' will remain untold for now, as people are bringing their own ideas to the table which is what I was after. Yours is most appreciated. There's no right or wrong here, but as Dylan once said 'there's only up and down'.

Makoto from Sapporo, Japan

Wonderful scene. It seem to be in the dream.

15 Jan 2007 4:51am

@Makoto: Thanks Makoto! Your visits are always welcome mate, I'll talk to you soon about a few things ;) watch your email box over the next few days ;)

Zach Siebert from Bologna, Italy

for me, this is the best of the lot due to the tree in the foreground, which gives a hectic feel in contrast to the serene expression on her face. thanks for this little series because you've ostensibly given me a genius idea!!! keep up the good work, duncan.

15 Jan 2007 7:37am

@Zach Siebert: Thanks Zach. cant wait to see your idea once its ready mate. Thanks again

Suby from Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Enjoyed the series, this shot I absolutely love the capture and the way the woman has been framed, the edit is also awesome, fits the tone of the image. The tree through the window takes this from a great shot to an awesome awesome shot. Well done

Suby

15 Jan 2007 7:45am

@Suby: Thanks Suby! Im feeling a bit better about this one due to coments such as yours. Thanks again.

Maoya from Rolle, Switzerland

What a tale! Been loving the evolution in this series on all aspects, As always, your character choice, stylish processing, nifty framing lets us float freely in that old lady's daydreams. Has been really teasing waiting through the third one. After the first one thought you'd end with something harsh, but yesterday's tricked me! A sour end, is an open end, now we get to carry on with the fantasies.

15 Jan 2007 8:22am

throughsilver from Leeds, United Kingdom

I have to echo the people who like this one, Dunc. It looks maybe a tad 'contrived' compared to the photos that preceded it, but I don't think that's a bad thing in itself; just different. Personally, I love the starkness of it, which really emphasises (at least in my head) the Life As Journey theme, sepia-toned, dusk-of-yer-life thing.

15 Jan 2007 8:25am

@throughsilver: Cheers man. The processing was a little forced with this one in the attempt to realise something and it didnt quite work. Time was a factor admittedly and an ineptness with PS was another.

Still from Valence, France

Wow. this one is a perfect synthesis of the two previous! Great art of portrait Duncan! I admire!

15 Jan 2007 8:51am

@Still: Thanks Still! coming from you thats made my day. Love your work mate. merci beaucoup!

Darren from Japan

Well mate. Personally this image is pretty good and it compliments the other 2 in the series. You have shown 3 very different view of this womens journey and shared that with all of us.
As for this image, I like the way you have more contast which really goes well with the expression on her face. In the other 2 images the fog/mist went really with her facial expression.
Cheer up mate.
Daz

15 Jan 2007 8:56am

@Darren: Cheers Darren. Dont worry, no cheering up required! I dont mind the image it just didnt match my 'target' in the way I wanted it to.

Sarah from Gainesville, United States

I think this one ends the series well, even though I agree that it isn't as strong as the other two. It gives a different perspective. I like the starkness of the tree combined with the softness the woman's face. You have quite an eye for people, Duncan!

15 Jan 2007 9:27am

@Sarah: Cheers Sarah! thanks for the kind words. much appreciated.

Myst from Bologna, Italy

Another beautiful photo! Like the soft light

15 Jan 2007 11:58am

@Myst: Thanks Myst!

Daniel from United States

Looks like she is frowning in this one!

15 Jan 2007 12:21pm

@Daniel: errr. yes it does. thank for the comment Daniel.

Mammoth in Chief from Naperville, United States

Aha... Dark ending... I dunno, but this is a very sad and serious shot in my eyes... Nicely done!

15 Jan 2007 1:21pm

@Mammoth in Chief: Thanks Mammoth! I think we were on the same page from image number 2 ;)

Aaron Schmidt from Auckland, New Zealand

Beautiful composition. I like the scary tree passing outside but the elderly lady is undeterred.

15 Jan 2007 3:00pm

@Aaron Schmidt: Thanks Aaron!

Angry Buddha from United States

Great shot to finish off the set. She looks weary and ready to be home.

15 Jan 2007 6:36pm

@Angry Buddha: Cheers Sean...ps...check your email!

Martine Lapointe from Québec, Canada

Beautifuls and softs pictures. Bravo!

15 Jan 2007 10:38pm

@Martine Lapointe: Thanks Martine!

H.O from Victoria, Canada

Great expression Duncan. I love first one because Obaachan's face was nice but everything well done :)

16 Jan 2007 2:26am

@H.O: Cheers H.O! Im galad she reminded you of your grandma!

Prashanth from Bengalooru, India

wonderful series!! my pick is 2nd one

16 Jan 2007 3:13am

@Prashanth: Thanks Prasanth, thats mine too ;)

Lyndsey Le from Houston, TX, United States

I like this one as much as the 2nd one, Duncan. Each one of them has its own unique character, and I enjoy the series! I don't feel you should end it here. Cheers!

16 Jan 2007 8:51am

@Lyndsey Le: Cheers Lyndsey. I may well revisit the theme if the situtation arises. Im glad you enjoyed it!