Brunch with Battutah
Only the flowers care
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Toronto, Canada) on 11 March 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Another London statue man. And I promise, the last.
Hats off to Wolfgang Prigge and Amy who pointed out that the apparitions in yesterday's post which resembled Aliens were, in fact, the handles from fireplace tools and there was nothing at all for me to be alarmed about. It goes to show what staring into a fire for too long can do to your mind. Perhaps they had also purchased a similar set of implements at the hectic planet of Sears Catalogue Shopping.
@Rags: Yes, there must be an interesting story as to why people do this. Thanks, Rags.
dpm from Maalé, Maldives
another silver being standing very still
London has a lot of statue men..
11 Mar 2008 6:17am
@dpm: You're right. thank you, dpm.
Jrask from Pasadena, United States
Great shot, and the B & W is very appropriate with the statue-man's expression.
11 Mar 2008 6:43am
@Jrask: Thank you, Joshua.
@Dara: Thank you, Dara.
@Saeed: Thank you, Saeed.
@Ana Lúcia: many thanks. I appreciate that.
@Rhys: I like your name for him. Thank you, Rhys.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Nice shot of this statue man. But, how long do they stand there like that? My muscles ache just looking at him.
11 Mar 2008 9:55am
@Betty: For a very long time and without moving a muscle. Thank you, Betty.
@Teresa Durães: Thank you, Teresa.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
Nice still, no pun intended, these guys are incredible with their act
11 Mar 2008 10:26am
@Peter Miller: They sure are. thank you, Peter.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
"Only the flowers care" … what an apt and, ultimately, sad title. His "interesting career choice" places his success or lack thereof at the whims of a generally disinterested public. Which is, I suppose, more prevalent than I might immediately presume. Again, you've captured a genuinely interesting slice of London life and captured it well!
11 Mar 2008 10:42am
@Ron: Such an excellent comment. Many thanks, Ron. One imagines he would be much better appreciated as an art school model.
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
Yes, great caption... and it must be a most difficult job...
11 Mar 2008 10:50am
@Earnest: I would say. thank you, Earnest.
givethemhell from Germany
The costume is beautiful. It must be hard for the man to stand in this pose without moving for a long time. I hope he gets paid for it.
11 Mar 2008 11:13am
@givethemhell: He might only get the donations passersby make. I think there is a discipline to standing like this, perhaps it's even a kind of meditation. thanks, Eva.
Ken from Cebu City, Philippines
Another statue man! They've been showing up here in your photo blog lately (not to mention some aliens too haha). Anyway, it's great that you chose to have this picture in B&W. Nice work!
11 Mar 2008 11:19am
@Ken: Thank you, Ken. I put in the aliens as a respite from statue men. This will be the last.
Tracey from White Hall, United States
Poor fellow. So down trodden and no one seems to care. Nice capture with the people in the background.
11 Mar 2008 11:45am
@Tracey: Thanks, Tracey. it really doesn't look like much fun.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Nononononono please not the last, I love those so much
11 Mar 2008 12:01pm
@Lorraine: So nice, Lorraine, thank you. You are a kind voice speaking on behalf of these mute overlooked people.
vu@granby - Wolfgang Prigge from Canada
Nice photo! This is a hard way to earn a living, I suppose. He might want to go to Fredericton, New Brunswick, they have a big street performers festival every year.
11 Mar 2008 12:19pm
@vu@granby - Wolfgang Prigge: Perhaps he knows about that. It sounds like a great festival. Thanks, Wolfgang.
alex centrella from fresno, United States
wow, the black and white works perfect here...nice crisp detail..
11 Mar 2008 12:19pm
@alex centrella: Thanks, Alex. I appreciate that.
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
Love the grey metallic feeling emphaiszed by your tone choice, wonderful!
11 Mar 2008 1:26pm
@ManuelaR: Thank you, Manuela, for your excellent comment.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
This one looks very stylish, polished and well dressed! I wonder...how many there there in London doing this job?( They must do some yoga training, for sure!)
This is very nicely shot!
11 Mar 2008 3:22pm
@Japanalia: Thank you, Gabriela. That's an excellent comment.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Quite poetic, looks like the silver man is waiting for a very long time and nobody comes to meet him. Very well captured!
11 Mar 2008 3:27pm
@MadScientist: Thank you. MS. I appreciate that.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
It alway's amazed me how they stand still for so long.
He cut's a dashing, although some what forlorn figure.
The details in this shot are wonderful Michael.
11 Mar 2008 3:41pm
@MaryB: I think it is a kind of meditation for them. Thank you, Mary.
Reza from Montreal, Canada
Wonderful shot of statue man. I like your London series. Great job.
11 Mar 2008 4:02pm
@Reza: Thank you, Reza.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
he had such a sad look!As if he tried to fight the world's prejudices with all his might but still failed.A shattered man behind the glamourous costume.Very nice!b/w works great here:)
11 Mar 2008 4:03pm
@tyan: That's an excellent comment. Thank you, Tyan.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
How unfortunate that it is your last. I actually liked these shots. But another great capture for your last one, particularly with how ornate the costume is.
11 Mar 2008 4:34pm
@Steven: Thanks, Steven. I appreciate your uplifting remark.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
This one is great. I am always amazed by the self control of those people.
11 Mar 2008 4:53pm
@Michael Rawluk: Thanks, Michael. They are like guards outside Buckingham Palace.
@Hoopand: thank you, Hoopand.
MJ from Delaware, United States
wonderful shot... i love these statue people... i can't imagine standing that still
11 Mar 2008 6:15pm
@MJ: Thank you, MJ.
yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece
I thnk that b&w is much more better than colors in these shots - nice work
11 Mar 2008 6:49pm
@yiannis krikis: Thank you very much, Yiannis.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
Another great moment in the life of a human statue, recorded here. Cool.
11 Mar 2008 7:09pm
@Viewfinder: Thank you, VF.
Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa
Just excellent! Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed the series!
11 Mar 2008 8:20pm
@Ina: Thank you, Ina.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
I have always been amazed by these guys! Great capture.
11 Mar 2008 9:50pm
@standley: Many thanks, Standley.
@alla: I think it probably is. Thanks, Alla.
drphoto from Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Ah now I recognize this guy! Finallly! I was starting to think you were in a different London lol!
I really like the b&w. it works well with this subject. So well in fact, that I didn't even realise it was black and white untill other people mentioned it!
Dan
12 Mar 2008 1:03am
@drphoto: Thanks, Dan. That's a great comment. It's interesting the statue man is known to you.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
Yes, yes I did get mine from Sears!! How'd ya know?? LOL
Great shot Michael. The b/w conversion and the dof gives this one great depth.
12 Mar 2008 1:23am
@amy: We bought our set in Sears too when we were in Canada and brought it to Slovakia. Thanks for the nice comment, Amy.
e. from New York, NY, United States
This is a wonderful black and white photo. I really like the details you captured here.
12 Mar 2008 4:46am
@e.: Thanks, e. I appreciate that.
pLusOne from Cheonan, South Korea
Another silver statue person.
Just thought how about stepping back a little in order not to be cut out of his left foot.
But Cool b/w tone shot.
12 Mar 2008 4:59am
@pLusOne: I agree about the foot. Thanks, P1.
@Eduarda: Many thanks.
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
Here only humility suits us, following the living statue's example...
15 Mar 2008 8:35pm
@Illuci: I like that. Many thanks.
Pentax Optio A30
1/125 second
F/4.8
ISO 200
92 mm (35mm equiv.)
