Oscar Pistorious, a photo from West Midlands, England

Photographer's Note

This is a picture of Oscar Pistorious who is making the headlines at the current Paralympics for a variety of reasons. Current news aside he has to be one of the most groundbreaking paralympians in history having competed in both the Olympics and the Paralympics.

This is a wicker "statue" of him in Birmingham. There were a number of these statues throughout the city during the Olympics with many of the iconic Olympians fashioned like this from wicker, including Usain Bolt.

However, of them all it was the inclusion of Oscar Pistorious as part of a series of Olympians that surely indicates the extent to which this man has broken down barriers for paralympic athletes.

For more info on the wicker Olympians:

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/07/30/team-of-wicker-olympians-blooming-in-birmingham-city-centre-97319-31502526/

Enjoy.

timecapturer, Tigerlily, kathryn_weir, jhm, Gigidusud, Royaldevon, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Highmountains (1834) 2012-09-04 3:31

Good composition.The wicker "statue" of Oscar Pistorious is excellently positioned and appropriately angled in the photograph.
The tall building with a glass facade shows on the lower right hand side - a reflection of a building whose colour and lines are akin to the wicker art of the olympian. The colours are clear and the images are sharp albeit a shade subdued.
Thanks for sharing.

Nicou (97727) 2012-09-04 3:58

Hello

superbe cpatage et compo fnatastique vue et cadrage très original la belle statue avec ce bâtiment moderne en fond et les reflet, sueprbe.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

timecapturer (30334) 2012-09-04 4:37

Hi Mike
topical shot and one that you have composed creatively. This man is an inspiration to us all as are all of the paralympians. Excellently controlled light here and a fitting tribute to a first class role model. Wonderful!

Enjoy your day - Brian.

Tigerlily (2343) 2012-09-04 5:58

Hi Mike,
Excellent composition, surreal.. the beautiful reflection made a wonderful background. I quite like the lights inside the building as well..

kathryn_weir (1742) 2012-09-04 12:11

Hello Michael. A great composition making effective use of the angles to provide a diagonal composition. The angle also lends a sense of movement to the sculpture leaning into the frame
Nicely seen and interpreted
Thanks for sharing
Kathryn

ACL1978 (5783) 2012-09-04 13:30

I really like your positioning of the statue in the frame Mike - it works with the lines of his forearm and leg, sure, but it also presents the angle of an uphill climb, which I'm sure is what he's had in his life. Nice clean colors and good light management help him stand out in what looks like a somewhat low-contrast lighting situation.

Andrew

Noel_Byrne (7374) 2012-09-04 13:53

Hi Michael,
This type of temporary art is fascinating, and at times covers the most amazing of subjects, as this does here so well. Thanks for the background on it, which makes the image so much more powerful, and raise a glass to Oscar Pistorious, what a man!

And the background, well, I love new modern buildings, and I love interesting angles, so you have married together many interesting elements here to create a wonderful image.
Best wishes
Noel

rbellemare (2087) 2012-09-04 21:22

Hello Michael,

This is a original picture. I like your point of view. The composition is great with the image tilt a bit sideways. The reflection of the sky give the impression that the clouds are continuing into the building.

Great job.

Réjean

dkmurphys (36819) 2012-09-05 2:03

HI Michael,
Very fine POV, I like how you've captured the buildings and the abstract urban artwork. Well taken.

Daniel

jhm (122458) 2012-09-05 3:01

Hello Mike,

I find your work innovatory, nice for look at.
Diagonal taken with the specially statue in foreground.
Excellent of composition, nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

Gigidusud (8078) 2012-09-05 14:12

Hello Michael,
Nice city composition with building reflections and the statue in FG.Great POV and excellent framing.Well done!
Thanks for sharing.
Ghislaine

Royaldevon (17791) 2012-09-06 0:34

Hello Michael,

I have loved watching the Olympic Games and the Paralympics might even be better! Oscar certainly has a lot to be proud of for helping to raise the profile of Paralympics.

Your angled composition has a symbolism of the problems faced by these athletes. Oscar is striding ahead, despite the difficulties ... or maybe because of them. A great composition with fine details.

Thank you for drawing our attention to this,
Bev :-)

delpeoples (44960) 2012-09-10 2:15

Gidday Mike

I'm not usually a fan of the diagonal POV, but I think it works really well here, emphasising the perspective even more. Beautiful reflections and graphism, all enhanced by the vertical frame. This is lovely, nice work.

Thanks for sharing, have a great day
Lisa