In Whitechapel today...

Today (02/10/09), in Whitechapel, London.

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[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/paulyrichard/headsmannequins1of1dodautlevbord.jpg[/IMG]

I like it, very well spotted image. The tones in those cute faces are superb.

I really like this picture. The positioning of the manikins is perfect. I must have a wander round Whitechapel (not far).

I have to agree with the above - it's a great shot. For some reason I wonder what the fourth head is looking at, different to the other three...

John, niles' and mat', thanks.

nilescrane, you should give it a look. This mornin' I saw a guy opposite the library there peein' up the wall and sayin' sorry at the same time to passersby. I was too late though, I did get a shot of him but not one with passersby in it, so I deleted it. I was so angry with myself.
Things like this goin' on on the street are important to capture with a camera. It would've made a great social statement.

This image above was taken soon afterwards.

You've convinced me paulyrichard. I'll make the trip soon. We need to record such activities (the boys and girls in blue permitting!).

Pretty amazing and looks good B&W

This is one of those pictures I hate.

I can't think of anything to say about it, other than (very) nice pic!

G

George, I recommend the word "dissonance".

The particular dissonance I see is the way the four apparently live, yet lifeless faces are looking so intently at (but not quite directly at) the left-hand mannequin, which is itself, faceless, looking in a direction at right angles. Yet the other mannequin is looking directly back at them, although its head, that clearly isn't there, is out of frame.

Dissonance upon dissonance. The ultimate in unsatisfying satisfaction. Or do I mean satisfying dissatisfaction'

Please, no Rolling Stones quotes.

Great shot, Paul. And I have to agree with Mat - what is that fourth face looking at?!

Thanks all for lookin' and commentin'.

Mat and Mhuni, I guess the fourth head lookin' away could represent the ponderance by the others not bein' worth it. After all, it is an on/ off relationship, and there are only two mannequins.

ChrisA is right, the elements in the scene are in a state of unrest and in need of completion, I guess thats dissonance for you.

Thank you for goading me into thinking (it was late when I posted, and my brain had failed).

I am not sure I agree about dissonance. It sounds impressive, but it is another word which has suffered an unnecessary accretion of new meanings in recent years.

Cutting to the chase, I am not sure that the fourth head makes a contribution to the picture. I think the picture might be stronger either without the fourth head, or with it looking the same way as the others.

For me, the picture is about the almost unbearable poignancy of the first three heads, made so life-like by the inspired draping of the headscarves. The heads are innocent, delicate, fragile, with all the vulnerability of a baby seal.

In my view, the picture succeeds so well because it has provided a reason for the expressions on their faces.

To me, their expectant look suggests that they are hoping for the moment when the stall-holder places them upon the necks of the mannequins, at which point I expect that they will come to life, and sashay off around the market.

G

With respect George, the fourth head really doesn't bother me, or change anythin' in how I view this photograph. Documentary street photography is full of discrepancies like this, and there will always be certain elements fallin' out of place within the picture. But that doesn't matter as long as the important ones do the job.

From a pictorial viewpoint though, I can accept what you say about the fourth head.

I really like your summation of the picture in the last three paragraphs, 'cos its the same as mine.

Regards.

Pauley,

You photographed what you saw, which is how it should be. I wasn't suggesting you should have moved the fourth head; I was simply responding to Chris's post concerning it.

G

Sorry George, didn't mean to go into too much detail on that then.