5 A Day #7 - Singular Images #1

There are times where random photos some how work together. Today my intention was to do 5 single images. The images that I shoot as I see them. They don't particularly go with any one series that I may be working on but they are good images. Images that are worthy of being seen. Some may one day end up as part of a series others will forever maintain the title "Singular Image".

It's interesting that this particular set of images was taken in two of my favorite cities, Krakow and San Francisco. These are examples of seeing the texture and patterns in things. The barber chair struck me as part of a bygone era of the mens barber shop. Simple, a gathering place which somehow seemed out of place amongst the high rises of downtown San Francisco.  The other four images are all examples of the study of patterns and texture. I love repeating patterns that lead you into or out of an image. Images when presented to the viewer, allow them to manifest their own story and stimulate their imaginations as to where the image is taking them.   The Manhole Cover is the perfect example of that. When I see that image it could be representing any era, it lets the imagination wander back in time. It was taken in Krakow in the Jewish quarter and I can't help but think how many thousands of jews walked these streets, the carriages and horses that went before. The colored patina of a metal door built between the great wars as part of a lookout post now stands in all its colorful glory that nature bestowed upon it over the years.  Then there are the repeating lines against the marble stair landing, which almost seem to transport people around the corner to the next set of stairs. These are some of the things that I sometimes think of sub-consciously while I am looking around to find an image or as I am creating a particular image.

It's interesting that all the color shots were taken in San Francisco and the Black & whites were taken in Krakow. Two vibrant cities where the old is part of the new and there is a rich history to both.

All images are for sale. They are printed to archival standards using 100% rag papers and archival pigment inks. Images are limited to editions of 25 for 13 x 19 and 15 for 17 x 22.

You can see more of my work on my website - www.ricomandel.com

	The Chair 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Mailboxes 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Landing Stair 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Manhole Cover 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Colored Patina 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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Different Perspectives

When I go shooting it is not unusual for me to pick a subject and begin to work it. What I mean by that is to find different perspectives of the same subject working my way around seeing the subject in a variety of angles or perhaps lighting conditions, the details etc... I'm cruising down the highway or a back road and come accross something that catches my eye. Of course if I did this all the time the I'd never get anywhere let alone back to my computer to process the images etc... so there are occasions where I stop to smell the roses, or in this case pastures, and take some photographs.It was a rainy day in northern California and I was on my way to do some photography in the town of Occidental when I came across this building. What caught my eye were the subtle colors, geometry and stillness of the scene. It looked like an old service station or automotive garage. My first instinct was to photograph the over all building, keeping the lines straight as possible, not to distort the geometry of the scene. I am always thinking back in time when I come across a subject like this to both the day it was built and the uses it had during its heyday. My next observation after completing the first image was the garage door, clock and light. I noticed the textures, cracks peeling paint and weathering of the building. I wanted to get in closer to show more detail. The next image was a geometric detail shot of the face of the building. I composed the image keeping my favorite elements in the shot.
Next I walked up to the building for closer observation and was attracted to the cracked peeling paint and particularly the clock, stopped in time, with it's rusty perimeter, spider webs and a multi colored patina that has taken years to come to perfection. From one angle I wanted to capture the clock and the shape of the light. From another I was attracted to the extreme weathering around the clock and decided to capture that as well.
This is what I call working your subject. It's a matter of looking at your subject from different perspectives and angles examining the details, textures light colors and shapes. Thinking to yourself, how does the light fall when I'm up close or behind? How does the scene change when I view it from above or below, near of far?


It's about playing to see what happens and what the subject reveals to you. Sometimes you get multiple images from the same subject and other times you don't even get one but if you don't play then you'll never get any.