The Electroblog
Concerto
Posted by Damon Schreiber (Toronto, Canada) on 8 February 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
She was filling the station with beauty in the form of a Bach Concerto. I asked her for a snap and she agreed. I paid her 1$ more for the music than the portrait, though it seems to be the going rate. The yellow dots confine the area in which subway musicians are allowed to perform.
Hi-res version here.
[Spadina Station, Toronto]
Raine from Albuquerque, United States
I love this! I love that your transit system sets aside a place for musicians. I love the look of this particular musician. And I love how her purple scarf and coat pop against the golden-toned tiles.
8 Feb 2007 5:17am
@Raine: Thanks, Raine! There is a place set aside for them, but not everyone can use it.
Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand
Reminds me of that poem 'When I am old I will wear purple' - it would shock my family if I started to wear purple and busk!!
And what a beautiful piece of music to play huh?
The story really makes this picture something special. What an eye you have.
8 Feb 2007 7:06am
@Bronnie: And I shall spend my pension
on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandles...
I find photoblogging a bit like busking with comments instead of spare change.
Thanks, Bronnie!
Makoto from Sapporo, Japan
Nice again. I think the sound that sympathized with was very beautiful.
8 Feb 2007 9:20am
@Makoto: Indeed, it was a lovely sound. Thanks, Makoto!
@Still: Thanks, Still!
@Zach Siebert: Well, thanks, Zach! I wish I'd gone in a hair closer.
@Angry Buddha: And a bargain for the music too. Thanks, Sean!
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
Really a nice capture! I like the sharp quality to your work!
8 Feb 2007 3:42pm
@Craiger: Sharp? Thanks, Craiger!
Leslie from Glens Falls, United States
you're lucky she's wearing a purple coat because it looks awesome next to that yellow ochre wall! fun shot. wonder what kind of violin she's playing.. hmm bc i play as well :).
8 Feb 2007 9:56pm
@Leslie: No doubt a Stradivarius...copy. Thanks, Leslie!
William from United States
Now accepting applications. Hiring for the position of "Subway Musician."
Excellent stuff.
8 Feb 2007 11:09pm
@William: Now you've got me started, because that's no joke: Every year, the Toronto Transit Commission holds auditions for subway musicians. Many more people apply than there are spots, but the successful ones get licenses that they must display as they play in their designated spots. This limits the number of people who play - but I must say the standard is quite high. More story than you bargained for! Thanks, William!
Ee Yuing from Singapore
Wow! This is stunning stuff! An extremely clear indoor shot and an interesting subject with a very apt title to boot! Great work!
9 Feb 2007 12:39am
@Ee Yuing: Thank you, Ee Yuing!
Stu from Kyoto, Japan
Looks like an interesting character. She appears to be cordoned-off by those dots, and is making a concerted effort to ignore you! Good one!
9 Feb 2007 2:04am
@Stu: She seemed rather shy, so you're probably right. Thanks, Stu!
Mammoth in Chief from Naperville, United States
Great shot... She looks like quite the character...
9 Feb 2007 3:44am
@Mammoth in Chief: Thanks, Mammoth! I'm sure it takes guts to play in front of strangers who didn't ask for it. What really takes guts, though, is that guy who stood in the same place she's standing here every morning for two weeks playing only 'Don't Worry/Be Happy'. I'm normally quite tolerant...
Francis from Hong Kong
This is a beutiful composition. The colors and patterns of the tiles make this a really strong image.
9 Feb 2007 4:57am
@Francis: Thanks, Francis!
Untitled from Kyoto, Japan
This is just brilliant. A wonderful expression. Is she playing with gloves on?!? In the frame the dots tell a wonderful story but on the whole I am not sure how to respond to them...feelings of being boxed in...no room to move...
10 Feb 2007 4:54am
@Untitled: She is playing with gloves on - rainbow gloves with fingers exposed (I can't imagine playing the violin without at least having bare fingertips). The dots are interesting in that they both reserve a space and confine the musicians. At least they prevent two musicians from setting up near each other and trying to compete on noise. Thanks, Shadow!
Rene from Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
The whole color thing here is awesome. I tried to photograph a subway musician last year but came away empty handed and yelled at in Chinese. Nice story and explanation of the yellow dots.
10 Feb 2007 7:03am
@Rene: Hehe... I often come away empty handed too. Thanks, Rene!
Duncan Galbraith from kyoto, Japan
Love street performers. love the shot too. The colours are deep deep deep. really solid stuff and the contrast is marvellous.
12 Feb 2007 4:13am
@Duncan Galbraith: Thanks, Duncan⁄! I tried making the scene as dramatically lit as I could get away with.
our little hood from bruges, Belgium
really loving these two images of musicians! you could make a series out of them that could fit on my wall ;-)
robin
12 Jul 2007 11:06am
Canon PowerShot G3
1/25 second
F/2.2
ISO 200
10 mm