Privilege and Pears

by Gary Hickin

La Belle Assemblee
being a curious collection of some very remarkable incidents which happen'd to persons of the first quality in France.
By Madame de Gomez
Chapter One - The Seventh Day.
Basically about the activities and relationships of the aristocracy and wealthy high society people in France. Published in 1749 ( Vol 2). I managed to buy this book on Ebay and thought that it was a good starting point for a still life. The image is very much about the calm before the storm – a period of time where the aristocracy and entrenched systems of privileges ruled supreme while the population was saddled with high taxes. To illustrate this a silver spoon is being used as a bookmark whilst the pear is symbolic of wealth and gluttony, especially a very large one! Politically controversial poems were circulating in Paris at this time- an interesting contrast to La Belle Assemblee. These tiny seeds of discontent may have been the very beginnings of the revolution that led to the storming of the Bastille some forty years later. I suppose the Internet and mobile phones have taken over such revolutionary duties………………………
Uploaded31/01/2011 - 19:18
CategoryStill Life
Shutter Speed3 sec
Aperturef/22
LensN/A
ISO160
Focal Length35mm

snappychappy
Posted 31/01/2011 - 19:43 Link
Love the very old antique type feel to this.
darkskies
Posted 31/01/2011 - 20:47 Link
Super construction and lighting!
This space deliberately left blank.
puma
Posted 31/01/2011 - 22:37 Link
Beautiful composition and camera work.
PPG link
szgabor
Posted 01/02/2011 - 04:49 Link
Wondeful shot. I like its lights, colours and the arrangement of objects. I almost feel the smell of the old book. Well done.
Regards,
Gαbor
My website
GIULIO57
Posted 01/02/2011 - 08:03 Link
Wonderful shot and style.
PPG
sam-joseph
Posted 01/02/2011 - 10:01 Link
This image is not just about 'the shot', but more the feeling, the story that you're trying to portray. You've told the story here, not just taken a snapshot of some hastily prepared props. I like this, and the back-story. Well done.
Regards
Sam-Joseph
Pentax K7, Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO EX, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 1.4x TC, Vivitar 2x TC. Takumar 135mm f2.5, SMC Pentax A 50mm 1:1.7, SMC Pentax -M 1:4 200mm, Pentax X70
thoughton
Posted 01/02/2011 - 10:33 Link
Annoyingly good
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
pauljay
Posted 01/02/2011 - 13:34 Link
I think S-J summed it up nicely, and I certainly agree with Tim!
Paul.

Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried! (Bill Brandt)
PPG
Trubshore
Posted 01/02/2011 - 19:07 Link
Another great image and I agree with all the above comments Regards Peter
marklj
Posted 03/02/2011 - 08:52 Link
Great light and exposure - as has been said it has a wonderful feel to it. Excellent.
Gary Hickin
Posted 08/02/2011 - 00:58 Link
Many thanks for all your generous comments, as always they are most appreciated. Cheers, Gary

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.