Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Penny for Your Thoughts?

When I picked up my computer from the shop this past weekend, I turned it on and was surprised (pleasantly) that all my settings were preserved.

I'd forgotten I had this picture as my desktop background.



What do you see/think when you look at it?
I'd value your commentary.

(Picture found @ FreshPics Hat tip: The Daily Dish)

Update: Some great comments to read. I posted my thoughts down there.
Make sure you check out Don's story here.

15 comments:

RazzberryMomma said...

I see darkness keeping the man from seeing that which he may find unpleasant. Great photo!

SuzANNE said...

That has potential to be a very powerful picture. The black figure (to me) represents society and the average man turning his back on the impoverished. A relevant photo considering these economic times. This photo looks like something that we're doing during this recession.
*whew, that's all I got*

Or it could just be creepy super villain and his next victim in the next Hollywood blockbuster.

Jon and Steph said...

I agree with the others, it's like part of his soul that is turning his back on a man in need. Kind of a sad photo. But I really like it!

Thanks for the comment Chase ;)

Young Traveler said...

I second what Steph and SuzANNE said. It is a moving, photo, but at first glance I found it funny.


It's a humorous/sad picture. A satire, if you will.

Is that possible?

Sign said...

I think 'man thats fine architecture, solid stone buildings, they dont make em like that anymore! Cheap cheerful an ugly all the way'

Oh yeah, I just noticed, the trees, I like 'em, nice trees, pity no leaves. Ah well...

Don said...

I see a story waiting to show up on my blog...
"The Ghost of Horatio Alger"

Coming soon!

the girl in stiletto said...

is that a french photo? the background looks rather like a parisien-ish.

anyways, actually i don't think the black man is turning the man's face away from looking at the homeless man. it is actually that the black man is trying to turn the man's face to see the homeless man.the hand gesture of that black man seems to be pulling the face instead of pushing it away ;)

Andhari said...

its a moving picture on how people can be so ignorant to their surroundings

Rachel said...

I feel like the man in black is the walking man's excuse to look away. Sort of a conscience in reverse. The personification of "see no evil". Or maybe that is the evil, sneaking up beside him, and he is barely aware of its presence.

I have this friend who goes broke giving money to homeless folk in Portland, always convinced that, like in all the cheesy movies, one of the homeless dudes will be Jesus, or at least will turn into a Prince after I give him a quarter....did I say I? I meant my friend. Really.

Maggie May said...

cool picture. it is the shadow self.

Anonymous said...

i see shadow manipulation... id and ego. the seedy belly of your subconscious driving your conscious. ignorance is bliss.

Don said...

Okay, it's done! (Rachel might like it!) I composed a story to go with the photo entitled, The Ghost of Horatio Alger visits Frank.

;-) Too long to post here, but come visit if you'd like here:

http://musingsandmiscthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/ghost-of-horatio-alger-visits-frank.html

Anonymous said...

at first I just saw a silhouette of a person sort've being the reason for that guy in the jacket looking in the direction he was

then I noticed the homeless person in the background and thought maybe the silhouette was being the "consciousness" of that guy, who wanted to pretend the homeless man didn't exist

Jon and Steph said...

Thanks Chase ;) I do have a keeper. Hope you have a good day!

Chase said...

I love all your answers.
I love that about art, we can all look at one picture, and see so many different things. And you know what, I don't think anyone is more right than the next of us.


Here's what I saw:
I gravitated immediately to the mask of the man-in-black. Faceless. I thought of my excuses: why do I choose to live for myself?

I couldn't put a face to my excuses. There were too many to count. Faceless.


Again, I love all your replies. Don went the extra mile and wrote a whole story to accompany the picture. It's got a great twist at the ending, really put me in check. You can read it here:
http://musingsandmiscthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/ghost-of-horatio-alger-visits-frank.html