Posted by Damon Schreiber (Toronto, Canada) on 22 February 2007 in People & Portraits and Portfolio.
Hi-res here.
[St. Clair West Station, Toronto]
VFXY Photos | Cool Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org
Always a motely crew waiting for the subway.
22 Feb 2007 12:47am
@Daniel: Hey, I resemble that remark!
Public transport always brings people from different walks of life together; as the Beastie's say: "Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders We come together on the subway cars Diversity unified whoever you are". Great stuff mate, been liking your recent batch of subway shots!
22 Feb 2007 2:08am
@Chris Sullivan: Many thanks, Chris!
What a range of different people, expressions, and activities. Love Chris' quote too - sorry I have nothing poetic to add, I just like this series!
22 Feb 2007 3:58pm
@Bronnie: Many thanks, Bronnie!
For me whats interesting is how people go into themselves at stations whenever alone. They often choose to fixate on something, an object or even a focal point about 3 feet in front of them, dead space sometimes. Its becomes an exercise in disassociation (or at least it does over in my neck of the woods). I think this picture illustrates that very well. The lack of passion and emotion in the image forms a wonderful counter to 'But they were so hot'. 2nd and 3rd left subjects being the only ones enjoying any form of communication. Keitai man doesnt count. PSP man earns kudos for being in the otaku club although its now such a mainstream device the elitist in me wants to take his points away. Shopper woman looks like shes well and truly found her focal point and mother's focal point seems to be you ;) I like this.
23 Feb 2007 12:35am
@Duncan Galbraith: You nailed it, Duncan. For a supposedly gregarious species, Humans can be remarkably shy. Subways are an exercise in compromise and relinquishing personal space. Add to that the 'Toronto Culture' of reserved politeness - not too different from that of Japan - and you get a bunch of islands keeping their distance where possible. As to the mother fixing her attention on me, I think she may have waved shortly after I took the shot.
I like it! Reminds me of a particular Bill Viola slow motion video ...
26 Feb 2007 7:27am
@Joe: Thanks, Joe! And thanks for the reference. I looked him up; very interesting work and I'm honoured for the comparison.
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