Hints of Hidden Things

[peterm1]

I like photos that are evocative - especially photos that hint at hidden things - emotions, thoughts, stuff going on below the surface, only partially revealed. I always feel they have the potential to make the viewer think and interpret. And maybe they appeal directly to emotions because they hint at something deeper going on with the subject. Of course, these need not all be about human subjects (but inevitably with me at least, often are.)

Feel free to post yours.

 

[mconnealy]

I like photos that are evocative - especially photos that hint at hidden things - emotions, thoughts, stuff going on below the surface, only partially revealed. I always feel they have the potential to make the viewer think and interpret. And maybe they appeal directly to emotions because they hint at something deeper going on with the subject. Of course, these need not all be about human subjects (but inevitably with me at least, often are.)

Feel free to post yours.

Hard to compete with that selection.

 

[peterm1]

Hard to compete with that selection.

Thank you. That's very kind. No need to compete....everyone has their own story to tell and I am interested to see them. 🙂

 

[lynnb]

Nice idea and pictures Peter.

I think this one might qualify? Girl talk, June 2023 #518, XA4. Cafe near Taylor Square, Sydney.

Cafe in Manly, Sydney, 2018. #721. IIIc.

 

[Dogman]

..................................................

 

[robert blu]

without words

 

[mconnealy]

Margaret by Mike Connealy, on Flickr

 

[Retro-Grouch]

 

[raydm6]

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

[Shac]

 

[mconnealy]

NYC - Chinatown - 1967 by Mike Connealy, on Flickr

 

[boojum]

Old memories, now as fresh as the day they were generated. For me France is an ineradicable event.

La Ferté-Alais by West Phalia, on Flickr​

 

[Out to Lunch]

 

[Ko.Fe.]

To uncover something not too obvious, this something has to resonate with viewer.
Second book from HCB trip to USSR has so many messages which screams at us, ex-ussr ones.
Does it reveal the same for people who have never been where for real...
For those who understand "1984" it should.

I can't see anything in heavily processes images in OP.
But I'm digging the bench. Maybe because it is too obvious.

Back to something murky, I experimented with 1/8 on bw film, lith printing for street photography.

It revealed parallel world under bright day light to me. But the question is if it is obvious or it is because of my imagination? To me it is obvious because I'm able to see in patterns.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

To uncover something not too obvious, this something has to resonate with viewer.
Second book from HCB trip to USSR has so many messages which screams at us, ex-ussr ones.
Does it reveal the same for people who have never been where for real...
For those who understand "1984" it should.

I can't see anything in heavily processes images in OP.
But I'm digging the bench. Maybe because it is too obvious.

Back to something murky, I experimented with 1/8 on bw film, lith printing for street photography.

It revealed parallel world under bright day light to me. But the question is if it is obvious or it is because of my imagination? To me it is obvious because I'm able to see in patterns.

View attachment 4853625

This is a strong and mysterious image. I would say, keep exploring the lith process!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

This is a strong and mysterious image. I would say, keep exploring the lith process!

Lith was just a technical aspect I explored in 2016. I have stopped for reasons.

1. It is tricky (only FB paper) and time consuming is incredible.
2. If I accept this technicality as part of the technical process opening another world,
I would become another Hoof or what was his name.
3. Making it for just a mysterious look is another, repetitive special effect like Holga, plates or digital over-processing.

The only one photographer I'm aware of who didn't fail it down to technicalities is Anna Bocharova (sush).

Anya Bocharova (sush). Portfolio. Demons

She is full time photographer with pictures like this been done after work.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Wow! Thanks for that link to Bocharova. She was completely unknown to me, but her work is very powerful!
I can understand your reluctance to dive into a time-consuming technical process. There are only so many hours in a day, and shooting is a lot more fun than being in the darkroom. And yes, there's always a high risk that using a new technique can become empty and repetitive. But it's something you know how to do, and can draw on in the future, if you choose. It's nice to have those skills in reserve.

 

[boojum]

In the theme of "something hidden" I am trying to identify why we photograph what we do. Do we mirror what we see already in our minds? If our world is murky and disturbed do we point our cameras at those scenes? Or do we find a palliative in what we shoot, some thing pleasing and calming? And when the images are really surreal, are those a reflection of what our minds see or a palliative?

OK, I'll get my Baby Brownie and shoot some vacation scenes at the beach and let it go at that.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

In the theme of "something hidden" I am trying to identify why we photograph what we do. Do we mirror what we see already in our minds? If our world is murky and disturbed do we point our cameras at those scenes? Or do we find a palliative in what we shoot, some thing pleasing and calming? And when the images are really surreal, are those a reflection of what our minds see or a palliative?

OK, I'll get my Baby Brownie and shoot some vacation scenes at the beach and let it go at that.

I would say that it's probably "yes" to all those questions, at various times and depending on our mood, intentions, and what we had for breakfast.
I think the Brownie at the beach is a good idea. We can over-think these things! BTW, my vacation snaps, as often as not, are murky and disturbed.

 

[skopar steve]

Wow! Thanks for the link to Anya Bocharove. Powerful work.