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Watch the Spider


Watch the Spider
Photo Information
Copyright: Joao Paulo Rosa Salas (mcenteesalas) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 332 W: 33 N: 398] (1606)
Genre: Places
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2007-12-06
Categories: Artwork
Camera: Sony Alpha DSLR A100
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Tate Modern Gallery [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-12-08 7:15
Viewed: 616
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
As well as being a sad and a rainy day which I have to say adds the right kind of mood that I need for this shot I wanted to run over three subjects on this shot just to put you in the “picture” which I think is worth knowing, specially for those who don’t know.

Right, This is the famous view from the Tate Modern`s entrance which looks out to the river thames in the imediate distance, the first subject might be trivial but never the less I think its worth a little mention, the bench you see in first plan in middle left of the shot was designed by the Tate Modern; it is made of heavy concrete weigh about 2 tons and covered by a thick sleeve of rubber, there! I said it, now you know what it is.

Now, the giant metal spider that you see in second plan was created by the world famous Louise Bourgeois, like a creature escaped from a dream, or a larger-than-life embodiment of a secret childhood fear, the giant spider Maman casts a powerful physical and psychological shadow on anyone that approaches her, over 30 feet high, the mammoth sculpture is one of the most ambitious undertakings in the long career of Louse Bourgeois which spans over 60 years, Bourgeois has plumbed the depths of human emotion further and more passionately than perhaps any other artist of our time. Maman, (the spider name) is associated with the artist's own mother. The spider, who protects her precious eggs in a steel cage-like body, provokes awe and fear, but her massive height, improbably balanced on slender legs, conveys an almost poignant vulnerability.

And finally my third subject, Saint Paul’s Cathedral at the far end of the shot, if you look you can see the famous dome. St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral and you can find it the City of London, the present building dates from the 17th century and is generally reckoned to be London's fifth St Paul's Cathedral, although the number is higher if every major medieval reconstruction is counted as a new cathedral. The cathedral is one of London's most visited sites.

The cathedral is built of Portland stone in a late Renaissance style, the dome was inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome and it rises 365 feet (108 meters) to the cross at its summit, making it a famous London landmark. Wren achieved a pleasing appearance by building three domes: the tall outer dome is non-structural but impressive to view, the lower inner dome provides an artistically balanced interior, and between the two is a structural cone that supports the apex structure and the outer dome. Wren was said to have been hauled up to the rafters in a basket during the building of its later stages to inspect progress and that’s the end of my lecture, many thanks to all TE members it has been a good year here on this site. Merry Christmas to all,
isabela_sor, broglia, abanibi, Merline, flashpoint, TopGeo, lilimih33, adores has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Merline: Hi Michelemcenteesalas 4 12-09 11:59
To broglia: Many thanks Mr Brogliamcenteesalas 1 12-08 12:59
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Joao,

I like the silhouettes especially in b&w, on this "sad and rainy," or perhaps a day inspiring introspection and taking inventory. I remember your connection with the Tate Gallery and some of your earlier posts.

Warm regards,
Bulent

  • Great 
  • koker Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 61 W: 0 N: 27] (227)
  • [2007-12-08 7:34]

Hi Joao,
A spider in the middle of the town which is watching people! I think b&w is the best chose for the rainy atmosphere. Congratulation.
Huseyin

The spider seems to be a huge invader:)
The b&w suits perfectly here
I like it
Hugs

Very fine composition Joao Paulo, love the texture of the foreground, the little reflections in the puddles too. The threatening clouds really add to the atmosphere created by the scary spider. Excellent work. Best regards, Roberto

  •      
  • abanibi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 56 N: 258] (743)
  • [2007-12-08 8:09]

Bom dia, Joao! I think you have forgotten one other subject: the rain! The weather is as representative of some places as cathedrals and artworks IMO. Now, more seriously, I like the B&W London you present here: it suits the sad day very well. It's a good conversion, and a good work with light. Although the foreground is quite empty, I feel it's necessary for the composition.
Good work, and a very personal view.
Obrigada pelo post. Abraços,
Inés

great pic
guggenheim bilbao got the same spider
nice to see him making a tour

Hi Joao Paulo, fascinating B&W with splendid light, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

hello Joao Paulo
very impressive atmosphere
the B&W is the exact choice
why seems the invasion of the great spiders

best regards sERGIO

  • Great 
  • TopGeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2060 W: 79 N: 2766] (12665)
  • [2007-12-08 10:51]

Hi Joao+P+R+S,,Splendid note and V&W picture. Amazing the intermediate and background field, front helped in the prospect, you praise I liked, thank for the wishes,too TFS/Regards
Bravo
Georgios

I saw one of these creepy sculptures some years ago in Copenhagen. I like how you've put it into a context with your image, creating a story together with the biker. The cloudy sky and the wet ground add to the mood and b&w suits the subject very well.

Amazing ! I saw a spider just like this one in the front yard of the National Art Galery in Ottawa, Canada! And I though it was unique!

I like the composition, to let a lot of space in the front gives the impression that we are even smaller compare to the spider.

Oi João ,
Esta tua foto está fantastica , bom ponto de visão sobre a aranha gigante , o ceu bem dramatico as pessoas por debaixo dela ,os reflexos , ficou uma bela composição , parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Hello Joao Paulo!
Your black & white composition loks like a artwork!
Great perspective and perfect quality!
Nice texture!
Excellent done!
Best regards!
Lili

Lovely composition Joao, the mood you wanted to convey comes out very well...like the empty wet space in the fg and its texture, that great sculpture, have a look here : http://www.flashartonline.com/Archivio/riv_249/news_3.htm
it's on the tomb of one of the darkes Belgian painters..., the passing cycler gives the human touch...beautiful tones of the b/w!

May I ask you how you do your conversions, they are beautiful! (a few words would already be helpful...). Thank you.

Thank you
Best regards

Excellent scene, I like the b&w approach. The distant cityscape, the biker, the wet pavement, the cloudy sky and of course, the giant metal spider compose an unusual and effective scene...

  • Great 
  • adores Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2795 W: 53 N: 3953] (12619)
  • [2007-12-12 16:53]

Olá João!
Uma escultura curiosa esta! Gosto da composição com a bicicleta e a pessoa a passar junto à aranha. Um bom formato e, quanto a mim, uma boa conversão para B&W. Ficou uma foto bem bonita!

  •      
  • RSK Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 91 W: 7 N: 22] (239)
  • [2007-12-17 22:25]

Hi Joao, Merry Christmas to you to.
This takes me back to my October visit,same wet weather
& I shot from a similar angle but not with the same dramatic result.Your choice of B&W really does this location & the metal Spider a real justice,I do like the mood your image
composition gives.TFS

Ron

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