Wow! Where was this taken? In an alleyway? Interested to see the surroundings. You could definitely write a short story about this picture. Amazing timing to get this two in the same shot.
It was in Shinjuku. Too big to be an alleyway really. A gap where a building once stood I think.
But yeah, there’s plenty to speculate on. And timing wise I couldn’t have asked for more. Just after I took the photo, the man on the moved moved. Right place at just the right time.
The question that comes to mind is: Who of the two is the happiest with his situation? The dark suit/brown shoes guy being hassled by his job or the guy with the freedom of having nothing left to lose?
That’s a very interesting question. After giving it some thought, it’s a distinct possibility that neither are happy in any real sense, so I’d (sort of) answer the question with another question: Who of the two is the least unhappy?
Excellent composition. This reminds me of mid-late 20th century modernist, hyper-realist social commentary paintings. The Amazon smiley box is an awesome, serendipitous element. The recycle bins look robotic, and sad. The whole thing has a sense of surreal isolation and disconnection. You look at it and you want to know: what’s the story with these guys? Does this mean something other than what it simply appears to be? It’s not just a picture, it immediately inspires thought.
Thanks ever so much. Very rewarding to hear you got so much from it. That means a lot.
It was a genuinely odd scene. A relatively new space if my guess is correct. The fresh tarmac and new bins seem to confirm that too. And yet all the rubbish there. Plus the two, hugely contracting figures…
Coli says
Wow! Where was this taken? In an alleyway? Interested to see the surroundings. You could definitely write a short story about this picture. Amazing timing to get this two in the same shot.
Lee says
It was in Shinjuku. Too big to be an alleyway really. A gap where a building once stood I think.
But yeah, there’s plenty to speculate on. And timing wise I couldn’t have asked for more. Just after I took the photo, the man on the moved moved. Right place at just the right time.
Hans ter Horst says
The question that comes to mind is: Who of the two is the happiest with his situation? The dark suit/brown shoes guy being hassled by his job or the guy with the freedom of having nothing left to lose?
Lee says
That’s a very interesting question. After giving it some thought, it’s a distinct possibility that neither are happy in any real sense, so I’d (sort of) answer the question with another question: Who of the two is the least unhappy?
JOno says
Good point Lee, I was thinking ‘who’d be happiest’ but you’ve answered it well by speculating on levels of ‘unhappiness’ instead.
Squidpuppy says
Excellent composition. This reminds me of mid-late 20th century modernist, hyper-realist social commentary paintings. The Amazon smiley box is an awesome, serendipitous element. The recycle bins look robotic, and sad. The whole thing has a sense of surreal isolation and disconnection. You look at it and you want to know: what’s the story with these guys? Does this mean something other than what it simply appears to be? It’s not just a picture, it immediately inspires thought.
Lee says
Thanks ever so much. Very rewarding to hear you got so much from it. That means a lot.
It was a genuinely odd scene. A relatively new space if my guess is correct. The fresh tarmac and new bins seem to confirm that too. And yet all the rubbish there. Plus the two, hugely contracting figures…