The arrow written in chalk was apparently to direct participants in a running event on the campus of UC Berkeley. The couple looked as if they were breaking up, or rather, as if she were leaving him. The as if counts here, not what they were doing in fact, though. The drama depends on the matrix. He stands on the center cross formed by bricks as she is turning away. The arrow, then, can be taken as if anticipating his retreat in rejection, confirmed by his body language of resignation, confirmed by his hands in his pockets, The figure top right, in the only direct sun, is oblivious, barbing the drama nearby even more.
In several ways, this photograph was spontaneous. The figures acted without any direction from me (or even giving any sign that they were aware of a photographer). Although the arrow had caught my attention, timing makes this image, and that was decided by my shutter finger spontaneously. I had come prepared, though. I was photographing couples, especially those breaking up, while myself in agony over a rejection.
William Allard (Vanishing Breed: Photographs of the Cowboy and the West) grunted "Oh!" with enthusiasm on seeing this at a workshop, encouraging me to persist, for which I hereby thank him.
The arrow written in chalk was apparently to direct participants in a running event on the campus of UC Berkeley. The couple looked as if they were breaking up, or rather, as if she were leaving him. The as if counts here, not what they were doing in fact, though. The drama depends on the matrix. He stands on the center cross formed by bricks as she is turning away. The arrow, then, can be taken as if anticipating his retreat in rejection, confirmed by his body language of resignation, confirmed by his hands in his pockets, The figure top right, in the only direct sun, is oblivious, barbing the drama nearby even more.
In several ways, this photograph was spontaneous. The figures acted without any direction from me (or even giving any sign that they were aware of a photographer). Although the arrow had caught my attention, timing makes this image, and that was decided by my shutter finger spontaneously. I had come prepared, though. I was photographing couples, especially those breaking up, while myself in agony over a rejection.
Berkeley, CA, 1981