I was nearly finished with this image when Bonnie’s comment chimed its way onto the screen. She said “Better to regret having missed the train, than to be run over by it.” She was talking about yesterday’s image.
I had gone to the train station yesterday explicitly to make some images of a missed train for part of my “Regret” series. To document small regrets that happen on a daily basis, like missing a train. But even small regrets should not be photographed with natural light as there is nothing naturalistic about them.
The adrenalin of regret should be studied as part of research into alternative energies.
And, yes, sweet Conni, this is a composite image, too. Regret takes layers of experience as well as Photoshop.
©Pat Coakley 2009
PHOTOGRAPHY CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION
Wow. That’s pretty stunning. It’s the title that makes it good for me though. When I think of regret-themed photos I think darkness and nostalgia, so I didn’t see regret in this image until reading the title, which brings makes the two connect. Nice work.
Chris, I agree…you wouldn’t know the image had to do with it’s subject without the words. Thanks.
Wowzer. A fine capture. Almost looks cross-processed. ;)
Thanks, Chris! I like the word, “capture” don’t you? As to cross processing, let’s ask your Mom’s opinion!!
Great image! There sits that train with the landscape rushing by!
Don, I like that concept of the train sitting there and the landscape rushing by…I hadn’t even thought of it that way. But, regret is like that, isn’t it? Stays fixed and unmoving regardless of what swirls around it.
Oooooooooooooooooh Pat – opening your blog and having this pop in the face – whoa! Love the shapes and colors, Love the movement, LOVE the energy (and it sure made my adrenalin level jump). Hate regrets. But they are inevitable. If only we had the “undo” button in life, like in Photoshop…
Thanks, Nava…I don’t often take an image to this extreme of values, but it seemed appropriate for my subject. And, oh, boy…that “undo” button would be a keeper, wouldn’t it? Or, would it? Very interesting to think about what would be lost besides the deed. Perhaps, wisdom, too?
Hello my friend!
Long time no see. This image you have here is spectacular! Such energy and movement…love it. I am so glad to see you still blogging away. What a fascinating topic. I have dreams of waiting for trains…losing people on them…finding myself lost in train stations. I assume I am dreaming of my life. Regrets? Sure…everyone has them. But I mostly keep these hidden away from my waking self. I must enter the land of dreams to discover my regrets.
Oh forgot to leave a good link to me. I no longer use my wordpress blog.
Here is one of the places you can find me. I like to be found!
http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/profile
This is an excellent image. There is so much to like about it but I think that it’s the blurring and the contrast that really make it sing.
I was thinking about the way how you have images of trains moving away to express regret and I presume that for you, regret may have to do with things you feel you may have missed experiencing.
Most of the regrets that I have in my life are about what I’ve done, rather than what I haven’t. As my old mate Omar Khayyam once said:
“The moving finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy piety nor wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a line,
Nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.”
Razz, I’ve thought a great deal about your comment since you posted it. At first, I thought you were right about missing things being the core of my regrets. Then, I realized…nope. I’ve got some deeds as well. And, the more I thought about it, the more deeds I came up with!! Love the quote. Thanks, as always.
Oh lord… this is one of my favorites to date. I love it!
I lurve it.
Where did you take it, if you don’t mind me asking?
Lurve it? Now, a permanent part of my vocabulary thank you. I took several images at the commuter train station, some with a zoom, some without as the train was about to leave. Other images that make it up (the sky for one but I think there is more but I forget now) were taken on another day. When I say composite image, I mean images from that day as well as any other day that I think may help me say what I want to say.
This is stunning. I actually feel this image in my heart. I swear it skipped a few beats. I do not regret being a part of SAPCC & experiencing your work. That is one thing that is certain.
Oh, Conni, that is the nicest comment. As Pomeroy would say, “I lurve it!”
Meander, girl! I’ve missed you but know you have been a busy, busy writing bee. I’m happy for you and as always you give all of us something to think about.