Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Two Shot Tuesday



Here are two pictures taken on different days at Aaron's Beach, my favorite county beach. At first glance, they appear straightforward and simple and they are. There's nothing complicated about what's going on here except for the excruciating analysis which is about to occur. Why keep something simple when it can be analyzed to death?

Let's take a closer look. In the top photo, the grasses point in several different directions, sort of like a green hand with fingers stretched out. Now look at the clouds.Now ask yourself why you are still reading this nonsense. Those streaks mimic the shape and direction of the grass. See the white fingers?

A similar thing is going on in the photo below. The horizontal line of the branch washed ashore mirrors the board stretching across those posts in the background...and best of all? The clouds, the waves and the horizon are all linear images going left to right, marching right in step with the rest of the photo. Are you ready to march right on out of this post yet? I don't blame you.



Although who knows what was going on in my subconscious (it's an extremely dangerous terrain accessible to few), there was no conscious, deliberate effort on my part to take these pictures because of the repetitive shapes. Maybe I liked the flow of the grass in the top one. Perhaps I liked that the branch (from Nature) and the posts (man-made but exposed to the elements) were the same color in the second, but I didn't look much beyond the obvious. In fact I didn't even notice the shape of the clouds until this evening. Isn't that strange?

Now for those of you who think everything written here is strange who'd rather be stuck in the eye with a hot poker than discuss the excruciating details of some rather dull pictures, the photo analysis is now over.

The psychoanalysis, however, is liable to be a lifelong project.

In upcoming episodes of this blog, you can expect a talk about the Great Storm of 1933; about how Mobjack Bay wasn't always called Mobjack Bay; and maybe even a little something from the 1962 Mathews County Soil Survey, who knows.

Also, thanks to Pueblo Girl, I am considering a 3-part story about my move from Mathews to the City back to Mathews again, but that requires way more thought and contemplation than the 3 1/2 minutes normally devoted to these posts.

Last but not least, is it Friday yet? Monday was as long as three days, which is approximately how long it will take you to wade through this post.

The Merciful End

11 comments:

Audrey at Barking Mad! said...

The top photo appears almost tropical to me for some reason...and inviting. The second photo? Not so much - seems almost colder and less inviting.

Whereas you see lines and angles and very physical tangential things and I see a vibe...is that even possible, to see a vibe? Or perhaps that's because I have had no caffeine this morning - on the heels of having a 3 year old climb into bed with me after her daddy left for work and take my blankies!

Daryl said...

I love these shots no real reason other than they appeal to me ... maybe we can get a group rate on a shrink ...

Caution/Lisa said...

I have been hoping against all hope for a little more from the 1962 Mathews County Soil Survey.

That first picture looks like Florida. Really now, how would I know that since I haven't been there in 16 years?

Margaret Cloud said...

I think you capture things that most people overlook. If someone strolled by they would just give a quick look and would not take in all the scenery, you have a good eye. If you had not pointed out all those things, I would of commented, very nice photos. I am looking forward to more posts. Have a great week.

Pueblo girl said...

A photo with multiple directions vs one where everything points the same way? Nice. The programming sounds good too...

Mental P Mama said...

LOL @Daryl...I love both of these. And the nice analytics.

Annie said...

Well, I tried to say that I love the photos, late last night, but it wouldn't let me...

so now I am telling you that I love the photos! especially the first one...as well as the analysis!

Meg McCormick said...

Hi, Pueblo Girl? Keep working on her about the move to the city and back. I'm still living the "city" life (albeit in the suburbs, but still) and I know that our dear CBW misses some things about it, not the least of which is the easy access to fine Mexican food and to the Barns at Wolf Trap, where MY husband Harry Connick Jr makes regular appearances to serenade me. Really, we all should know more.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Audrey-Yes, it is definitely possible to see a vibe, and you're right about the different vibes - one is alive, one is almost dead. Good eye!

Daryl-I'm thinking the group rate plus a guaranteed minimum number of visits ought to get us some sort of discount...

CF-Oh, you make me laugh, but I must warn you the 1962 soil survye has just about served its purpose unless we want to get into details such as gravel pits or silt loam or sand loam or some such. Actually that may be more interesting than reading what I come up with on any given day, so maybe it hasn't outlived its usefulness after all.

Mrs. Cloud - Thank you so much, that means a great deal.

Pueblogirl- The programming is liable to change at the last minute, but that's standard fare here.

MPM-Laughter is good. Very good.

Annie-These are not great or even good photos, but putting them together caused me to stop and think about them a bit, and all that analytical gobbledygook came flooding from nowhere. You, my friend, have beautiful photos on your site and I regret not being able to get over there as often as I'd like. That flaming red tree (flame tree?) of yours is fabulous.

Meg-Dear, dear Meg. Oh, dear, sweet, misguided Meg. Harry is mine. I'll give you the Mexican restaurants and Arlington's Viet Garden, which has the very best fresh spring rolls ever, but Harry is mine. All mine.

Time for bed, have a great evening and a better tomorrow.

abb said...

Oh dear - you are always full of thoughts to ponder...and sometimes my brain just doesn't work. Period.
The pics are beautiful, words are fun to read, and the thought of VA Blogfest 2010 being repeated where it was in 2009 just superb! (MO Blogfest 2011!!!)

foolery said...

Wait, someone is GIVING AWAY Mexican restaurants?! Harry Connick is lovely but not as nice as even an average Mexican restaurant!

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