Umbilical Cord Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is my car, but I don't think that is a violation of the terms of service... ;-)

I took this photo as I filled my auto with petrol for no particular reason. Had it not been for the dramatic increase in the cost of gasoline in this country over the last few months I probably wouldn't have chosen to post this image, though I like the curves, shadows and reflections very much. I decided to post it with this title largely because of the dependence we have on gasoline to power our automobiles.

I've no doubt that members from around the world will chuckle to hear about Americans distress over gasoline that costs over $2.50 per gallon. You need to understand that America's love affair with the automobile and the huge investment in products and services to keep our cars operating, is at the heart of the American economy.

I recall a visit to Italy many years ago when a fine couple I visited in Verona drove me to the center of town from their hillside caravan, coasting most of the way to conserve the very dear gasoline in their car. While Europeans are accustomed to high taxes that translate into high petrol prices, we've been accustomed to gasoline that costs less than bottle water. But the growing economies of Asia are beginning to compete with the industrialized countries like the United States and the cost of petroleum products is going up and will likely only go higher.

I have no idea how this rise in price will ultimately affect the American economy. Demand for gasoline tends to be rather inelastic, meaning folks who drive to work in a society that has short-changed public transportation for generations must continue to pay the ever higher cost of filling the tank. Either that or they lose their job!

So the hose connected to my car is in a very real way an umbilical cord of the sort supporting the American way of life with the ubiquitous automobile at the center. The fact that the cars being driven are increasingly manufactured by Asian and European companies is simply a curious irony. Perhaps we'll win all the wars and eventually lose the peace...

RGatward, Rinie_Hoff, peter1892, michel_r, pamastro, maverik12 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

davido (1982) 2005-06-10 3:27

The idea is really interesting and is a strong message to those who consider their car as being part of them. In France, to say that a mother and his child must take their own way in life we use the expression 'To cut the umbilical cord'. I think we should think about it for the future of our planet...
The shot is good. The grain and the use of B&W are interesting.
David

RGatward (19737) 2005-06-10 3:29

Very nice shot Curtis, such an everyday sight, but never seen it before. Good use of B&W and grain for it too.

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2005-06-10 3:29

Hahaha, this is great, and a great title, Curtis. I already thought I recognize a AcureCL ;-)
Your note explains it all, very well written, reminds me of your series of daily life in America. I'm sorry to hear that prices have gone up so drastically, but maybe it helps a little bit to question whether you really need the car each and every moment, or should invest in a good public transport system. (I have always thought that the prices of gas were extremely low in the US and Canada) The problem is, that the country isn't built that way, it's too outstretched and too few people in a big area, far different from the Netherlands of course, but if prices keep going up, something must change, I guess.

I like the picture, Curtis, very nice feminine soft forms, even softer with the grains, all nice curves.
Your reflection is such that I can't recognize you, I see a sort of gnome ;-)

snuggleaphagus (4138) 2005-06-10 3:40

A perfect title to explain our times.
The curves are great almost seductive in a way. It leaves the eye wanting to see more. Normally grain is is not something i like but it is so very good here. Even the frame looks great and frames are another thing that I normally could do without.

The little thing on top of the trunk lid looks like a piece of leaf of twig, I find it bothersome, probably not a big deal to anyone else.

Gas prices have been so crazy but latley they have gone down slightly around this side of the bay.

In this photo you are really following the theme of TE you are teaching about our reality through beautiful photography

erdna (5346) 2005-06-10 13:06

You have a good photo Curtis but your note rings true to life that is happening not only in the Bay Area but also in the Philippines.

Andre'

rajhema (1863) 2005-06-10 18:58

that is an interesting name you gave to this picture.

peter1892 (3201) 2005-06-11 9:48

Umbilical cord indeed! Have you ever run low on gas in an awkward location? It happened me on the bay bridge, but I was OK...

We're paying about $5 per gallon here...although the cars sold in Europe tend to have smaller engines than their US counterparts (so a 2.0l engine sold in the states would be sold as 1.5l here) so the efficiency is often better. I miss my old Fiat sometimes as it used to do 450 miles on a full tank!

As for the photo - it's a good composition, I like the grain & as I'm only just getting started with B&W I find I'm looking out for more shots in that medium. Excellent note too!

SophieL (6026) 2005-06-13 6:01

I wrote a note before leaving for the week-end, apparently it got stuck somewhere in the cyberspace and didn't appear, which I didn't realise earlier...
Basically, I wanted to say that I like the picture, the note, and the path your photography is taking. Less rewarding maybe on TE than your beautiful sceneries, but more challenging, more "true-to life" and more personnal. I really enjoy that. I hope you do too.
As for my feelings on this picture, it's a mix between Rinie's and Cristina's. Well done Curtis.

michel_r (1114) 2005-06-13 14:04

love your title and your note Curtis. Interesting picture, different from your usual production. I was actually trying to imagine eyes, etc, for the car. might be interesing to work on that.
This note and your humor was a pleasure to read, as always. Thanks for that
amicalement, michel.

pamastro (7213) 2005-06-20 21:20

Nicely done Curtis. You bring a very graphic aspect to this documentary shot. Your note certainly shows how dependent we are along with the photo in relation to other parts of the world. I like the high contrast and grain in the image adding to the graphic feel of the shot.

Prices haven't reached that high here yet. I believe we are at 2.19 today since I haven't gotten gas since it was 2 dollars. And you hear people complain about the prices but say they would by a giant SUV all over again. And it certainly will start affecting our economy as more people finally do realize maybe it's better to buy more effecient vehicles which Detroit is certainly lagging in.

cobraphil8 (11650) 2005-11-21 3:05

I find your very very good idea of title, later it remains to be seen which is the mom and the baby...

Good centring, a grain of photo which does not hamper(bother) me.

Philippe

Je trouve votre idée de titre très très bonne, après reste à savoir qui est la maman et le bébé...

Bon cadrage, un grain de photo qui ne me gêne pas.

Philippe

Photo Information

Copyright: Curtis Grindahl (cgrindahl) (6109)
Genre: Places
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2005-02-28
Categories: Daily Life, Transportation
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 DI, Digital RAW, B+W 67mm UV-Haze MRC
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-06-10 2:49
Favorites: 1 [view]