Explorer at the Museum, a photo from London, England

Photographer's Note

On a visit to the British Museum I came upon this couple. The man looked for all the world as if he was on an expedition to explore the museum's millions of artefacts. Its the headgear that caught my attention. I can't remember what this type of hat is called but for me it makes me think of old colonials, explorers in hot places such as Africa, Egypt and India. Or an Indiana Jones.And look at the lady by his side.Doesn't she look every inch a mysterious lady in her wide brimmed hat and dark glasses and gloves.Who were they I wonder? And did they find any hidden treasure?

graffer, danos, saxo042, Royaldevon has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (92852) 2010-08-15 13:09

Hello Bev,
You manage to find these special characters everywhere. Maybe it was more than 20 degrees outside so he needed his helmet from the tropics. A picture that makes me smile, although with some compassion really.
Kind regards,
Gert

graffer (1800) 2010-08-16 4:13

Hello Bev,

What an amazing couple! It must have been a very hot day to call for a pith helmet. The other remarkable thing about them is their disparity in height. Her red coat and blue skirt and top stand out in a mostly monochrome image.

The balance of the composition is excellent:

To the right: the pair - he drinking from a bottle of water, she on a mobile phone – are the embodiment of a modern couple on the move.

To the left: six figures in various attitudes, some stationary, some walking.

To be techy: The pith-helmeted figure is close to one vertical line of thirds, the walking figure with the rucksack is on the other. A horizontal thirds line passes close to the lady's sunglasses.

There are good leads into the image provided by the tiled floor and by the curving beam at the top right. The giant heads at the left look on impassively – they've seen it all before!

The whole picture hangs together marvellously.

Kind regards,

Peter.

CLODO (45094) 2010-08-16 4:54

Hi Bev

It's my technique to visit the museum: look at the visitors and try to associate them with the exhibition! Great couple, not to be missed, and you get a stunning picture, funny.
Cheers
CLODO

danos (110407) 2010-08-16 6:02

Hi ben,
rally strange the passing by couple in front of your lens with their specific hats to be all the money.Perhaps the temperature to be high but from the other hand they wear cloths of the early of Autumn.A really strange couple.

have a nice afternoon,Danos

saxo042 (38078) 2010-08-16 9:06

Hi Bev,
I believe that you also find that strong red "details" often enhances pictures and that such "eye catchers" are a kind of improvement. This photo is indeed built around the woman in her very attractive colours. All the people around here look quite bland, even if the helmet is a quite funny detail. And I can also see another red detail here, "SALE!" Could you buy artefacts at bargain prices?
Kind regards
Gunnar

Royaldevon (75378) 2010-08-21 1:00

No, Bev, they are such an inconguous couple, they have to be spies!! Actually, look at his expression- definitely shifty!
I love your ability to observe people and see the opportunities for photographs. You have them in a perfect position and, yet, they seem unaware of the camera!
Well focussed and beautifully balanced.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

wolf38 (30) 2011-08-27 8:51

Hi Bev. The art world is a paradise for photographers. People are so busy that they forget everything around you. This is the ideal time for photographers. Your photo is a good example. I like this successful social study very well. Rgds, Wolfgang.